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.

[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.

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Covered syllabus points

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Question 3

Question (a)

Question (b)

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Question 7

Question 8