IB ESS SL 3.3.9 Perspectives and Conservation Strategy Choice Questions
Evaluate how values and perspectives influence conservation decisions.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2026
- Course
- ESS SL
- Level
- SL
Exam points
- identify how individuals, communities, governments, NGOs and businesses influence conservation decisions
- explain how environmental value systems, political power, culture and economic interests shape conservation strategies
- evaluate a conservation strategy by comparing perspectives, evidence, trade-offs, justice and the likelihood of long-term success
IB ESS SL 3.3.9 Perspectives and Conservation Strategy Choice Questions question 1
[Maximum number: 9]
Justify the role of different environmental value systems (EVSs) in deciding between species based and habitat based conservation strategies.
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 \& terminology of ex situ/in situ conservation;
ecocentric/anthropocentric and technocentric value systems;
biorights;
intrinsic value;
deep ecology;
cornucopian values;
stewardship;
keystone species;
flagship species;
reserves;
zoos;
breeding/re-introduction programmes;
gene banks;
etc
- breadth in addressing and linking a range of in situ/ex situ conservation strategies with different value systems/perspectives on the nature of living things/species.
- examples of different value systems;
different perspectives on living things and different in situ \& ex situ conservation strategies.
- balanced analysis evaluating the relative merits and demerits of different value systems and their perspectives on in situ v ex situ conservation.
- a conclusion that is consistent with, and supported by analysis and examples given e.g. While ecocentrics are more likely to value the hands-off approach possible with in situ conservation there are certain cases where a natural habitat is so degraded the only way forward for conserving a given species is the more technocentric ex situ conservation.
Please see markbands on page 18.
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