Practice 5.1 Soil 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.
Define the term "soil" and explain its importance in ecosystems.
Describe two ways in which human activities can degrade soil quality.
Explain how the following soil properties affect plant growth:
Soil depth
Soil temperature
Explain the importance of soil biodiversity in maintaining ecosystem health.
Explain the concept of soil compaction and its effects on soil health.
Compare the characteristics of soils rich in sand with soils rich in clay.
Describe two ways in which soil acts as a carbon sink.
Explain the processes involved in the formation of fertile soils from bare rock.
Discuss how negative and positive feedback mechanisms may influence the growth of decomposer populations in the soil.
To what extent are natural limiting factors more likely than population policies to limit global human population growth in the future?
The soil system includes storages of inorganic nutrients.
Identify two inputs to these storages.
The soil system includes storages of inorganic nutrients.
Identify two outputs from these storages.
Solid domestic waste may contain non-biodegradable material and toxins that have the potential to reduce the fertility of soils.
Explain how strategies for the management of this waste may help to preserve soil fertility.
The provision of food resources and assimilation of wastes are two key factors of the environment that determine its carrying capacity for a given species.
To what extent does the human production of food and waste each influence the carrying capacity for human populations?
Describe two methods for measuring soil pH.