REVISION GUIDE FOR ESS
TOPIC
ASSESSMENT STATEMENT
Rev
notes
HRS
1.
SYSTEMS and MODELS
1
2.
THE ECOSYSTEM
6
2.1
Structure
2.2
Measuring abiotic components of the ecosystem
2.3.
2.4
2.5
2.6
Measuring biotic components of the ecosystem
Biomes
Function
Changes
2.7
Measuring changes in the ecosystem
3
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
4
4.1
4.2
4.3
5
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
HUMAN POPULATION, CARRYING CAPACITY and
RESOURCE USE
2
Population dynamics
Resources – natural capital
Energy resources
The soil system
Food resources
Water resources
Limits to growth
Environmental demands of human populations
CONSERVATION and BIODIVERSITY
3
Biodiversity in ecosystems
Evaluating biodiversity and vulnerability
Conservation and biodiversity
POLLUTION MANAGEMENT
6
Nature of pollution
Detection and Monitoring of pollution
Approaches to pollution management
Eutrophication
Solid domestic waste
Depletion of stratospheric ozone
Urban air pollution
Acid deposition
6
THE ISSUE OF GLOBAL WARMING
1
7
ENVIRONMENTAL VALUE SYSTEMS
1
Learnt
EXAM WORDS
Define
Draw
Label
List
Measure
State
Give the precise meaning of a word, phrase, concept or physical quality as concisely
as possible.
Represent by means of a labelled, accurate diagram or graph, using pencil lines.
Add labels to a diagram.
Give a sequence of names or other brief answers with no elaboration.
Find a value for a quantity
Give a specific name, value or brief answer (no supporting argument or calculation
is necessary).
Annotate
Apply
Calculate
Describe
Distinguish
Estimate
Identify
Outline
Analyse
Comment
Compare
and
Contrast
Construct
Deduce
Derive
Design
Determine
Discuss
Add brief notes to a diagram, drawing or graph
Use an idea, equation, principle, theory or law in relation to a given problem or issue.
Obtain a numerical answer showing the relevant stages of working – Remember units!
Give a detailed account, including all the relevant information.
Give the differences between two or more different items or concepts.
Find an approximate value.
Find an answer from a given number of possibilities.
Give a brief account or summary.
Interpret data to reach conclusions.
Give a judgment based on a given statement or result of a calculation.
Give an account of the similarities and differences between two (or more) items,
referring to both (all) of them throughout (comparisons can be given using a table).
Evaluate
Explain
Predict
Solve
Suggest
Make an appraisal by weighing up the strengths and limitations
Give a clear and detailed account including causes, reasons or mechanisms.
Give an expected result.
Obtain an answer using algebraic and/or numerical methods and/or graphical methods.
Propose a solution, hypothesis or other possible answer.
Display information in a diagrammatic or logical form.
Reach a conclusion from the information given
Manipulate a mathematical relationship to give a new equation or relationship.
Produce a plan, object, simulation or model.
Find the only possible answer.
Offer a considered and balanced review that includes a range of arguments, factors or
hypotheses. Opinions or conclusions should be presented clearly and supported by
appropriate evidence.
1.
SYSTEMS and MODELS
Outline the concepts and characteristics of systems. (6)
- Storages, flows, processes, feedback
- Tree:
1.1.1
Storages: the tree (biomass)
Processes: photosynthesis and respiration
Flows: 10 Feedback: leaves – ground – decompose – taken up – nutrients - leaves
Apply the systems concept on a range of scales. (3)
- tree
1.1.2
- ecosystem
- biome
- Gaia (world)
Define the terms open system, closed system and isolated system. (3)
Open system 1.1.3
Closed system Isolated system Describe how the first and second laws of thermodynamics are relevant to environmental
systems. (4)
1.1.4
First:
Second:
Explain the nature of equilibria. (4)
Steady state:
1.1.5 Static:
Disturbance:
Succession:
Define and explain the principles of positive feedback and negative feedback. (4)
Negative feedback:
Example:
1.1.6
Positive feedback:
Example:
Time lag - why:
Describe transfer and transformational processes.(4)
1.1.7 Transfer:
Transformation:
Distinguish between flows (inputs and outputs) and storages (stock) in relation to systems.
1.1.8 Flows:
Storages:
Construct and analyse quantitative models involving flows and storages in a system.
Boxes:
1.1.9
Arrows:
Width/size:
Evaluate the strengths and limitations of models.
Model:
1.1.10
Strengths:
Limitations:
2.
THE ECOSYSTEM
2.1
Structure
Distinguish between biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem. (4)
Biotic:
Examples:
Abiotic:
Examples:
Define the term trophic level. (1)
Trophic level:
Identify and explain trophic levels in food chains and food webs selected from the local
environment. (8)
Give examples
Producer:
Consumer:
Decomposer:
Herbivore:
Carnivore:
Top carnivore:
Food chain:
Food web:
Explain the principles of pyramids of numbers, pyramids of biomass, and pyramids of productivity,
and construct such pyramids from the given data (6) Give units
Pyramids of numbers:
Energy changes:
Pyramids of biomass:
Pyramids of productivity:
Discuss how the pyramid structure affects the functioning of an ecosystem (3)
Toxins:
Limited length of chain:
Top predators vulnerability:
Define the terms species, population, habitat, niche, community and ecosystem with reference to
local examples
Species:
Population:
Habitat:
Niche:
Community:
Ecosystem:
Describe and explain population interactions using examples of named species. (5)
Competition:
Parasitism:
Mutualism:
Predation:
Effects on each others’ population:
2.1.1
2.1.2
2.1.3
2.1.4
2.1.5
2.1.6
2.1.7
2.2
2.2.1
Measuring abiotic components of the ecosystem
List the significant abiotic (physical) factors of an ecosystem. (2)
Abiotic:
6 examples:
2.2.2
Describe and evaluate methods for measuring at least three abiotic (physical) factors within an
ecosystem (6)
1. Temperature:
2. pH:
3. Nitrates:
How each varies with depth, time and distance:
2.3
Measuring biotic components of the ecosystem
2.3.1
2.3.2
2.3.3
2.3.4
2.3.5
2.4
2.4.1
2.4.2
Construct simple keys and use published keys for the identification of organisms (2)
Key:
Example:
Describe and evaluate methods for estimating abundance of organisms (4)
Lincoln:
Quadrats:
Describe and evaluate methods for estimating the biomass of trophic levels in a community (3)
Method:
Evaluation:
Define the term diversity (1)
Apply Simpson’s diversity index and outline its significance (5)
D=
N=
n=
High value means:
Low value means:
Biomes
Define the term biome (1)
Biome:
(cross national boundaries)
Example:
Explain the distribution, structure and relative productivity of tropical rainforests, deserts,
tundra, and any other biome (4 x 8)
Tropical rainforests:
distribution –
climate structure –
productivity –
limiting factors –
Deserts:
distribution –
climate structure –
productivity limiting factors –
Tundra:
distribution –
climate structure –
productivity limiting factors –
Coral reef:
distribution –
climate structure –
productivity limiting factors 2.5
2.5.1
2.5.2
2.5.3
2.5.4
Function
Explain the role of producers, consumers and decomposers in the ecosystem (6)
Producers:
Consumers:
Decomposers:
Describe photosynthesis and respiration in terms of inputs, outputs and energy transformations
(6)
Photosynthesis:
Inputs:
Outputs:
Energy transformations:
Respiration:
Inputs:
Outputs:
Energy transformations:
Describe and explain the transfer and transformation of energy as it flows through an ecosystem
(4)
Incoming solar radiation:
Transfer:
Transformation:
Boxes:
Arrows:
Width:
Describe and explain the transfer and transformation of materials as they cycle within an
ecosystem (4 x 5)
Carbon:
2.5.5
2.5.6
2.5.7
2.6
2.6.1
2.6.2
2.6.3
2.6.4
2.6.5
Nitrogen:
Water:
Nutrients:
Define the terms gross productivity, net productivity, primary productivity, and secondary
productivity (4)
Gross productivity:
Net productivity:
Primary productivity:
Secondary productivity:
Define the terms and calculate the values of both gross primary productivity (GPP) and net
primary productivity (NPP) from given data (4)
GPP:
NPP:
Define the terms and calculate the values of both gross secondary productivity GSP) and net
primary productivity (NSP) from given data (4) (Note: assimilation may be used instead of SP)
GSP:
NSP:
Changes
Explain the concepts of limiting factors and carrying capacity in the context of population growth
(4)
Limiting factors and examples:
Carrying capacity:
Describe and explain S- and J- population curves (4)
Changes in numbers and rates of growth for:
S:
J:
Describe the role of density-dependent and density-independent factors, and internal and
external factors, in the regulation of populations
Density-dependent factors:
Density-independent factors:
Internal:
External factors:
Describe the principles associated with survivorship curves including, K- and r-strategists (4)
k:
r:
Survivorship curves: Exponential/transitional/plateau:
Log scale:
Describe the concept and processes of succession in a named habitat (8)
Succession:
Primary:
Secondary:
Disturbance:
Pioneer:
Climax community:
Seral stage:
Sere:
2.6.6
2.6.7
2.7
2.7.1
2.7.2
2.7.3
Plagioclimax:
Zonation:
Example:
Explain the changes in energy flow, gross, and net productivity, diversity and mineral cycling in
different stages of succession (8)
Energy flow:
Gross productivity:
Net productivity:
Diversity:
Mineral cycling:
Describe the factors affecting the nature of climax communities (4)
Climate:
Soil (edaphic)
Humans:
Measuring changes in the ecosystem
Describe and evaluate methods for measuring changes in abiotic and biotic components of an
ecosystem along an environmental gradient (4)
Transects:
Quadrats:
Describe and evaluate methods for measuring changes in abiotic and biotic components of an
ecosystem due to a specific human activity
Human activity: intensive agriculture
Ecosystem: stream
Abiotic:
Biotic:
Eutrophication:
Algae:
Plants:
Fish:
Describe and evaluate the use of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs)
EIA:
Baseline study:
Impacts:
Monitoring change:
+
+
-