Practice 2.3 Biogeochemical cycles with authentic IB Environmental systems and societies (ESS) exam questions for both SL and HL students. This question bank mirrors Paper 1, 2 structure, covering key topics like ecosystems, human impact, and sustainability. Get instant solutions, detailed explanations, and build exam confidence with questions in the style of IB examiners.
Paper
Level
Question 1
SL & HLPaper 2
1.[3]
Explain the First Law of Thermodynamics and its relevance to ecosystem energy flow.
Question 2
SL & HLPaper 1
Analyze the following diagram of the water cycle:
1.[2]
Identify two processes that transfer water from the land to the atmosphere.
2.[2]
Explain how human activities can impact the water cycle.
Question 3
SL & HLPaper 2
1.[4]
Describe the process of photosynthesis and its role in ecosystem energy flow.
Question 4
SL & HLPaper 2
1.[2]
Define the terms "energy" and "matter" in the context of ecosystem processes.
Question 5
SL & HLPaper 2
Explain how the following factors affect decomposition rates in ecosystems:
1.[2]
Temperature
2.[2]
Moisture
Question 6
SLPaper 2
Soil quality is important for global food production systems.
Figure 1: Soil texture triangle
Figure 2: Horizons (layers) in a typical soil profile
1.[1]
State the soil texture that has the following composition: 20 % clay; 55 % silt; 25 % sand.
2.[2]
Outline why leaving arable farmland fallow (unused) between growing seasons could lead to soil degradation.
3.[2]
Describe how the addition of sand to a silty clay loam could alter its characteristics for healthy plant growth.
4.[2]
Draw a flow diagram to show the flows of leaching and decomposition associated with the mineral storage in the “A” horizon in Figure 2.
5.[1]
Identify one other input to the mineral storage in the “A” horizon inFigure 2.
6.[1]
Identify one other output from the mineral storage in the “A” horizon inFigure 2.
Question 7
SLPaper 2
1.[4]
Explain how soil can be viewed as an ecosystem.
2.[7]
Compare and contrast the impact of humans on the carbon and nitrogen cycles.
3.[9]
Examine the role of humans in the destabilization of ecological systems.
Question 8
SL & HLPaper 2
1.[4]
Describe two adaptations that plants have developed to increase their nutrient uptake efficiency.
Question 9
SL & HLPaper 2
1.[3]
Describe the concept of biomagnification and provide an example.
Question 10
SL & HLPaper 2
1.[4]
Describe two ways in which human activities have altered global nutrient cycles.