IB ESS SL 5.1.1 Soil As Dynamic System Questions
Practise IB ESS SL 005.001.001 by applying soil as dynamic system concepts to environmental systems questions.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2026
- Course
- ESS SL
- Level
- SL
Exam points
- describe soil as an open system with biotic and abiotic components, inputs, outputs, stores, flows and interactions
- explain how decomposition, mineral cycling, water movement, organisms and vegetation connect soil processes
- link soil-system functions to plant growth, ecosystem support and human land use
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IB ESS SL 5.1.1 Soil As Dynamic System Questions question 1
[Maximum number: 4]
Outline how soil can be viewed as an ecosystem.
Like an ecosystem, soil is an open system with inputs and outputs;
(inputs of) eg water /O2 (and outputs of) eg CO2/ nitrogen; ...and storages and flows/processes;
(storages of) eg nitrates/water (and flows of) eg leaching/decomposition;
like an ecosystem, soil is a community of living/biotic and abiotic elements;
(biotic) eg bacteria/fungi/earthworms (and abiotic) eg clay/sand/silt/water/heat; ...with the many complex interactions/interrelationships/eg mineral cycling/leguminous plants;
interacts with/supports other systems/eg vegetation growth, animal movement/burrowing/human development;
Marking guidance:
Award marks as above for identifying relevant common features, and also for giving examples (provided it is clear what is being exemplified).
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