Practice 8.4 Human population carrying capacity with authentic IB Environmental systems and societies (ESS - Old) 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
SLPaper 2
1.[4]
Explain the processes involved in the formation of fertile soils from bare rock.
2.[7]
Discuss how negative and positive feedback mechanisms may influence the growth of decomposer populations in the soil.
3.[9]
To what extent are natural limiting factors more likely than population policies to limit global human population growth in the future?
Question 2
SLPaper 2
1.[2]
The soil system includes storages of inorganic nutrients.
Identify two inputs to these storages.
2.[2]
The soil system includes storages of inorganic nutrients.
Identify two outputs from these storages.
3.[7]
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.
4.[9]
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?
Question 3
SLPaper 2
1.[4]
Explain how feedback loops are involved in alternate stable states and the tipping points between them.
2.[7]
Earth’s atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide reached 400 ppm in 2016. Outline the potential impacts of high levels of greenhouse gases on human societies in different locations.
3.[9]
Discuss the consequences of changing global per capita meat consumption on the conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity.
Question 4
SLPaper 2
1.[4]
Outline two factors that enable a human population to increase its local carrying capacity.
2.[7]
Explain how the growth in human population can affect local and regional water resources.
3.[9]
To what extent would different environmental value systems be successful in reducing a society’s ecological footprint?
Question 5
SLPaper 2
1.[1]
Define the carrying capacity.
2.[3]
Identify three reasons why estimating carrying capacity can be difficult.
Question 6
SLPaper 2
1.[9]
Examine the potential for designing a protected forest area that allows for the harvesting of natural resources while at the same time conserving its biodiversity.
2.[4]
Identify four factors making the estimation of carrying capacity more problematic for human populations than other species.
3.[7]
Explain why the ecological footprint of two populations consuming the same quantity offood and energy may be different.
Question 7
SL & HLPaper 2
1.[9]
To what extent are modern agricultural practices more effective than traditional practices in meeting the demands of the growing human population?
Question 8
SLPaper 1
Figure 1: Three world population projections from 2015 - 2100
1.[1]
Calculate the range between the highest and lowest projected population size for 2100.
2.[2]
Identify two factors that may explain the variation in projected world population growth.
3.[1]
Outline one economic implication of the highest world population projection being manifested.
4.[1]
Outline one environmental implication of the highest world population projection being manifested.
5.[1]
Outline one benefit to modeling human population growth.
6.[1]
Outline one drawback of modelling future human population growth.
Question 9
SLPaper 1
Urban Agriculture in London
- 9% of London's area is farmland, mostly in the outer green belt
- New focus on vertical farms and rooftop gardens with beekeeping
Vertical Farming Details:
- Located underground and in former industrial sites
- Grows salad greens, lettuce, spinach and herbs
- Uses 70% less water and no pesticides versus traditional farms
London's Bees:
- 1000+ beekeepers operate in the city
- Higher bee density than rural areas
- City bees are healthier with more diverse food options
- North London features an 11 km wildflower "bee corridor"
Figure 1: Vertical farm
Figure 2: Rooftop beekeeping
1.[2]
State one benefit and one drawback of the ecological footprint as a model for measuring sustainability.
2.[1]
State one factor that would allow a region’s ecological footprint to exceed its biocapacity.
3.[3]
Referencing both figures above, suggest how urban agriculture can increase London's carrying capacity