Introduction
One of the most common ESS questions students ask is: Do I really need to know case studies for biodiversity? The short answer is yes. In the 2026 syllabus, biodiversity case studies are essential for demonstrating applied understanding in both Paper 1 and Paper 2.
ESS examiners want more than textbook definitions—they reward students who can connect biodiversity concepts to real-world examples. Strong case studies show that you understand not only the science but also the social, economic, and ethical dimensions of biodiversity.
Quick Start Checklist: Case Studies for Biodiversity
- At least two global biodiversity case studies.
- At least one local case study (from your country or region).
- Cover different biomes and ecosystems (rainforest, coral reefs, tundra, wetlands, etc.).
- Include causes of biodiversity loss, human impacts, and conservation strategies.
- Practice applying case studies to different types of exam questions.
Why Case Studies Are Essential in ESS
Biodiversity is a systems-thinking topic—it connects ecology, human activity, conservation, and ethics. Case studies allow you to:
- Provide evidence to support explanations.
- Show awareness of scale (local vs global).
- Evaluate conservation strategies with real-world outcomes.
- Avoid vague answers, which examiners penalize.
Without case studies, your answers risk sounding generic and losing marks in higher-level assessment bands.
What Types of Case Studies to Prepare
1. Global Case Studies
- Amazon Rainforest (Brazil): Deforestation, biodiversity hotspot, conservation challenges.
- Great Barrier Reef (Australia): Coral bleaching, marine biodiversity, tourism pressures.
- Galápagos Islands (Ecuador): Unique endemic species, invasive species threats, protected area management.
2. Local Case Studies
- Choose a habitat near you (wetland, forest, coastal system).
- Example: UK students might use Norfolk Broads wetlands.
- Example: Kenyan students might use Maasai Mara savanna ecosystems.
3. Thematic Case Studies
- Endangered species (e.g., giant pandas, tigers, elephants).
- Conservation strategies (national parks, seed banks, community-based conservation).
- Human-wildlife conflicts (crop raiding, poaching, land use disputes).
How to Use Case Studies in Exams
Paper 1 (Data Response)
- Graphs or maps may reference specific ecosystems.
- You may need to apply your own case study knowledge to explain data.
Paper 2 (Essays)
- Extended responses almost always reward case study use.
- Example question: “Evaluate the success of biodiversity conservation strategies.”
- Strong answers use specific examples (e.g., Svalbard Seed Vault vs Yellowstone National Park).
Internal Assessment (IA)
- Many students investigate biodiversity locally.
- Case studies help frame your IA in a global context.
What to Include in a Case Study
- Ecosystem or species name.
- Location (country, biome).
- Key biodiversity features (species richness, endemic species).
- Threats (deforestation, pollution, overexploitation).
- Human dimensions (economic drivers, cultural importance).
- Conservation strategies (protected areas, community management, ex-situ methods).
- Success or failure of strategies.
Example Case Study Breakdown: Amazon Rainforest
- Location: South America, spanning nine countries.
- Biodiversity: Over 10% of known species globally.
- Threats: Deforestation for cattle ranching and soy farming, illegal logging.
- Human dimensions: Economic dependence on agriculture and mining, conflict between conservation and development.
- Conservation: Creation of reserves, eco-tourism, international agreements.
- Outcome: Some successes, but deforestation rates remain high.
This level of detail helps you adapt the Amazon case study to multiple exam questions.
Common Mistakes Students Make
- Too vague: Saying “rainforests are being destroyed” without naming one.
- Over-detailing: Memorizing unnecessary statistics instead of focusing on relevance.
- Using the same case study for every question: Examiners want variety.
- Forgetting local examples: Global examples alone are not enough.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do I need to memorize exact statistics for case studies?
Not exact figures. Instead, remember trends (e.g., deforestation rates rising, coral reef bleaching increasing). Use approximate numbers to strengthen answers without overloading.
2. How many case studies do I need to revise?
Prepare at least three to four solid case studies, covering different ecosystems and scales. This ensures flexibility in adapting to exam questions.
3. Can I reuse case studies across different topics?
Yes. For example, the Amazon Rainforest can be used for biodiversity loss, deforestation, indigenous rights, and conservation strategies. Multi-purpose case studies are ideal for revision.
Revision Strategy for Biodiversity Case Studies
- Make case study cards with location, threats, conservation strategies, and outcomes.
- Create mind maps linking case studies to syllabus topics (biodiversity, conservation, ecosystems).
- Practice writing essay introductions using case studies as evidence.
- Use RevisionDojo’s structured case study guides to save time.
Conclusion
In IB ESS 2026, case studies are not optional—they are essential for demonstrating applied knowledge of biodiversity. By preparing global and local examples, connecting them to threats and conservation strategies, and applying them across exam questions, you’ll elevate your answers and stand out to examiners.
Call to Action
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