IB ESS SL 7.1 Natural Resources Uses and Management Questions

Practise IB ESS SL 7.1 by distinguishing natural capital from income, classifying resources and evaluating sustainable-use decisions.

Exam points

Explain natural capital as a stock and distinguish natural income goods from ecosystem-service flows.
Classify resources as renewable, replenishable or non-renewable and judge use against sustainable yield.
Interpret resource-price data and explain changing value through shifts in technology, demand or culture.
Explain how forests regulate water, store carbon or limit floods, and how human activity disrupts these services.
Assess resource-use choices by weighing cultural and environmental values against economic and political factors.
Explain how resource availability and use affect security and conflict in named societies.

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

[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.

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Covered syllabus points

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question (a)

Question (b)