IB ESS SL 7.1.5 Ecosystem Services Questions

Practise IB ESS SL 7.1.5 by applying ecosystem services concepts to environmental systems questions.

Exam points

identify ecological services, goods and life-supporting services provided by a named ecosystem or biome
explain how ecosystems such as forests, mangroves, green spaces or a named biome provide goods and services
discuss how human activity can affect ecosystem services using named examples and evidence such as water quality, habitat, air cleaning, cooling or flood mitigation

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Siberian taiga context
• Taiga forest provides habitat, stores carbon, helps regulate climate and supplies timber.
• Deforestation can affect biodiversity, carbon storage and downstream/global systems.

Outline one ecological service provided by the Siberian taiga.

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;

Marking guidance:

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.

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IB ESS SL 7.1.5 Ecosystem Services Questions question 1