IB ESS HL 7.1 Natural Resources Uses and Management Questions

Practise IB ESS HL 7.1 by linking natural-capital stocks and income to sustainable use, resource security and the choices that shape management.

Exam points

Explain natural capital as a stock, and natural income and ecosystem services as flows, using named examples.
Classify renewable, replenishable and non-renewable resources; distinguish renewability from sustainable use and yield.
Explain changing resource values and assess economic, cultural, environmental and other influences on resource-use choices.
Compare resource security in named societies; explain how uneven distribution and demand can create insecurity or conflict.
Evaluate renewable extraction by weighing supply and economic gains against ecosystem damage and long-term sustainability.
Evaluate EIAs using baseline evidence, impact prediction, mitigation, stakeholder participation and monitoring.
Assess resource-security strategies and how globalization affects supply, interdependence and national security.

Covered syllabus points

7.1.1—Natural resources definition 7.1.2—Natural capital 7.1.3—Natural income 7.1.4—"Natural capital" perspective 7.1.5—Ecosystem services 7.1.6—Resource classification 7.1.7—Natural capital value types 7.1.8—Dynamic natural capital value 7.1.9—Sustainable natural capital use 7.1.10—Resource security 7.1.11—Resource-use choices 7.1.12 (HL)—Natural capital management strategies 7.1.13 (HL)—SDGs and resource management 7.1.14 (HL)—Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)7.1.15 (HL)—EIA guidance variation 7.1.16 (HL)—Public EIAs 7.1.17 (HL)—Renewable resource extraction 7.1.18 (HL)—Short-term economic interests 7.1.19 (HL)—Resource insecurity impacts 7.1.20 (HL)—Resource security strategies 7.1.21 (HL)—Economic globalization

[Maximum number: 1]

Figure:Fact file on Mindo cloud forest

Figure 10(a): Fact file on Mindo cloud forest
Only one third of Ecuador’s identified cloud forest sites are protected. The Mindo-Nambillo cloud forest reserve forms part of several protected areas across Ecuador. The Mindo cloud forest covers 268 km2 and is home to several indigenous subgroups of the Quichua people. The village of Mindo is west of the reserve and is known for chocolate made from locally grown cacao. Organizations work with local farmers to find alternatives to cattle ranching and with indigenous groups to develop more sustainable agricultural practices, reducing habitat destruction.

Outline how the cloud forest may provide a named example of natural income.

[Maximum number: 4]

Outline how the concept of sustainability can be applied to managing natural capital.

[Maximum number: 2]

(a)

Outline one ecological service provided by the Siberian taiga.

[ 1 ]

provides habitat for animals/birds;
(photosynthesis) acts as a carbon sink/absorbs $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ reducing greenhouse emissions;
(photosynthesis) releases $\mathrm{O}_{2}$ necessary for living organisms;
filters water / maintains water table;
cools/moistens climate through evapotranspiration / source of moisture for precipitation;
vegetation prevents soil erosion;
increases/maintains biodiversity (increasing/maintaining resilience of biosphere);
pollination of plants/crops;

Do not accept only 'photosynthesis'.
Do not accept provision of goods eg timber/food.
Do not accept cultural, intrinsic or aesthetical benefits eg spiritual/tourism/recreation.
For credit response must focus on ecological service/function.

(b)

Figure:Total exports of timber (in units of thousand cubic metres) from Russia between 2012 and 2014

With reference to the timber-exports chart, calculate the percentage of Russian timber exports to China between 2012 and 2014.

[ 1 ]

$\frac{34962}{57690}\times100=60.6\%$ (approximately 61%).

No unit is required.

[Maximum number: 1]

Outline one ecological service provided by the Siberian taiga.

[Maximum number: 4]

Distinguish between renewable and replenishable natural capital using examples.

[Maximum number: 4]

Outline the reasons why natural capital has a dynamic nature.

[Maximum number: 1]

Figure 6(a): Map of the SOTE pipeline and proposed OCP pipeline routes

Figure A:Map of the SOTE pipeline and proposed OCP pipeline routes

Figure B:Pipeline map key

Key for Figure 6(a):
The northern OCP pipeline route was completed in 2003. The proposed southern OCP route was rejected in favour of the northern route. The SOTE pipeline was completed in 1972. The map also shows protected nature areas. SOTE is operated by the government and OCP is run privately; both coexist today and are fully functional.

Figure 6(b): Timeline for the OCP oil pipeline

Figure:Timeline for the OCP oil pipeline

With reference to Figure 6(b), identify one conflict associated with the building of the OCP pipeline and sustainability.

[Maximum number: 9]

To what extent are human food production systems more greatly influenced by cultural factors than they are by political, environmental or economic factors?

The following guide for using the markbands suggests certain features that may be offered in responses. The five headings coincide with the criteria in each of the markbands (although ESS terminology has been conflated with 'understanding concepts') This guide simply provides some possible inclusions and should not be seen as requisite or comprehensive. It outlines the kind of elements to look for when deciding on the appropriate markband and the specific mark within that band.

Answers may demonstrate

Understanding concepts and terminology:

Food production systems are influenced by factors such as scale; industrialization; mechanization; fossil fuel use; seed, crop and livestock choices; GMOs; water use; fertilizers; pest control; pollinators; antibiotics; legislation; and levels of commercial versus subsistence food production. Each of the above may have cultural, economic, political or environmental enablers.

Breadth in addressing and linking:

Cultural factors (beliefs, traditions, food preferences; religion) with political factors (international agreements, legislations, national security) and environmental factors (local climate, biomes, landscape, topography, soils, degradation) and economic factors (export/import, cash crops, cost of technology, land tenancy, employment).

Examples: Food production systems of different societies, including cultural/political/environmental/economic factors that might drive food production choices; Examples of legislation/laws/subsidies or lack thereof; Examples of economic drivers such as cash crops/subsidies;

Balanced Analysis: Of whether, and to what extent, cultural factors have a greater influence on food production systems than political, environmental and economic factors. Could include a range of societies with different factors that drive selection of food production systems;

A conclusion that is consistent with and supported by analysis and examples given e.g.: Cultural, economic, environmental and political factors all influence the nature of food production systems in complex and integrated ways that are difficult to isolate but perhaps the bottom line is in the environmental factors that ultimately determine what processes and crop choices are possible and effective.

[Maximum number: 7]

Evaluate the effectiveness of environmental impact assessments (EIAs) in promoting sustainable development.

[Maximum number: 7]

A hydro-electric power plant is planned that will involve the building of a large dam across a river. This will result in the flooding of land upstream and regulation of the river flow downstream. The reservoir created by the dam will provide a water supply for the local community.

Discuss how effective an environmental impact assessment for this project may be in protecting the local environment.

The sub-headings below are for guidance only. Credit should be given for the Marking points whether the student identifies them under these titles or not.

Baseline study: provides an inventory of social/cultural aspects / keystone/red-listed species/unique habitats that are of particular value;
this can help focus/organise/prioritise protective strategies;
but ...it is time-consuming/expensive exercise;
may be biased if carried out by surveyors under employment of developer;
however the inventory may miss some species due to lack of funding/expertise/ done fast as project deadlines are pressing;

Assessment of potential social and ecological impacts/benefits: provides a holistic evaluation;
allows input from all stakeholders;
comparing to similar projects (already executed) would increase the validity of the EIA;
but ...may be dominated by majority/commercial interests;
political interference may occur;
ecosystems are complex/newly formed and thus it is difficult to predict the potential impacts of a development on the ecosystem

Recommendations/Mitigations: these are designed to limit impact/protect the environment;
the EIA report is a public document and allows public to disagree; ...may result in changed/modified construction techniques;
in some countries the EIA is advisory while in others it is compulsory and so may determine the implementation of mitigation strategies;
flooded area/lake/water reservoir should be designed to allow recreation activities / provide shelter for migratory birds / form a new ecologically sound habitat;
but ...they depend on effective enforcement;
overall project may be so large that some/a lot of ecological destruction will be done (even if the EIA is "perfect");

Monitoring of impacts during development: help to ensure developers were keeping to recommended procedures/ development before damage is irreversible;
alert authorities to any unforeseen damage to environment;
but ...this again is time-consuming/expensive;
despite raising concerns nothing may be done to stop the impact;
evaluation of social/ecological impacts after the development: would inform plans for any necessary restoration;
enables responsibility/costs for this restoration to be passed on to developers;
but ...not all damages are restorable/reversible;
any penalties may simply be absorbed by developers as part of cost;
developers may press the government to avoid paying for restoration / pass the cost to the taxpayers;

Otherwise, award [6 max] for marking points above, and [1 max] for a clear conclusion that is justified by points raised.

Note to examiners: An isolated statement/opinion e.g. "EIAs are very helpful" should not be considered as a valid conclusion. A valid conclusion may, however, be stated within the body of the response rather than at the end, and may involve some balanced decision:
e.g. An EIA would be effective only if there is political will / enough funding / local pressure for its implementation ;
[1 max]

Marking guidance:

Award [2max] for whole question if response just describes what an EIA is with no reference to its effectiveness.

[Maximum number: 7]

The use of renewable resources is not always sustainable due to the activities involved in their production.

Justify this statement for a named source of renewable energy.

eg hydropower (accept other valid examples of renewable energy): hydropower is renewable because the water flow is replenished by the water cycle; building the dam will inhibit migration of fish reducing their populations; involve the flooding/destruction of terrestrial ecosystems; cause sedimentation that will lead to more flooding upstream; involve use of non-renewable building materials; construction/maintenance involves heavy use of fossil fuels/GHG production; reduced downstream flow threatening riverine populations/species; (reduced downstream flow threatening) associated terrestrial systems dependent on water flow eg floodplains/wetlands; building of access roads/growth of recreational activity may lead to damage of terrestrial/riparian systems; may increase water loss/scarcity through increased evaporation rates; impacts of dam may reduce sustainability of local populations through eg reduced fishing/breeding ground for parasites/loss of agricultural land;
eg solar energy:
solar energy is renewable because of continuous input/insolation; energy for panel construction/extraction of silicon involves use of fossil fuels/GHG production;
production utilizes plastics derived from (non-renewable) fossil fuels; manufacture results in plastic waste that is non-biodegradable; require metals/elements that are non-renewable resources; (metals/elements) extracted through mining that damages habitats/ecosystems; manufacture involves use/production of many industrial toxins/hazardous waste; manufacture/operation requires considerable water supply (for cooling etc); transport of materials for manufacture/installation impacts environment; limited life span/decommissioning will lead to further waste; solar farms can take up/displace large areas of natural ecosystems;

Award [3 max] if example of energy source is non-renewable or unnamed. Award [1] for each correct answer given above or for any other points of equivalent relevance, validity and significance, up to [7 max]. If candidate addresses more than one valid resource, limit total credit to highest scoring one.

[Maximum number: 7]

Explain how the inequitable distribution of natural resources can lead to conflict.

All question bank results loaded

Covered syllabus points

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Question (a)

Question (b)

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Question 12