Topic 1: Foundation

1.1 Perspectives

1.2 Systems

1.3 Sustainability

Topic 2: Ecology

2.1 Individuals, populations, communities, and ecosystems

2.2 Energy and biomass in ecosystems

2.3 Biogeochemical cycles

2.4 Climate and biomes

2.5 Zonation, succession and change

2.5.1—Zonation definition

2.5.2—Transect use

2.5.3—Succession definition

2.5.4—Seral communities

2.5.5—Primary succession

2.5.6—Secondary succession

2.5.7—Succession changes over time

2.5.8—Ecosystem disturbance tolerance

2.5.9 (HL)—Community development influences

2.5.10 (HL)—Productivity patterns in succession

2.5.11 (HL)—r- and K-strategist species

2.5.12 (HL)—Climax community concept

2.5.13 (HL)—Plagioclimax

Topic 3: Biodiversity and conservation

3.1 Biodiversity and evolution

3.2 Human impact on biodiversity

3.3 Conservation and regeneration

Topic 4: Water

4.1 Water systems

4.2 Water access, use and security

4.3 Aquatic food production systems

4.4 Water pollution

Topic 5: Land

5.1 Soil

5.2 Agriculture and food

Topic 6: Atmosphere and climate change

6.1 Introduction to the atmosphere

6.2 Climate change—causes and impacts

6.3 Climate change—mitigation and adaptation

6.4 Stratospheric ozone

Topic 7: Natural resources

7.1 Natural resources—uses and management

7.2 Energy sources—uses and management

7.3 Solid waste

Topic 8: Human populations and urban systems

8.1 Human populations

8.2 Urban systems and urban planning

8.3 Urban air pollution

HL.a Environmental law

HL.b Environmental economics

HL.c Environmental ethics

IB ESS HL 2.5.12 (HL)—Climax community concept Question Bank

• Challenged and uncertain

• Alternative stable states due to random events

0 selected