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• Contents
• Introduction
• How to use your enhanced eBook
• Topic 1: Systems and models
• 1.1.1: Outline the concept and characteristics of systems
• 1.1.2: Apply the systems concept on a range of scales
• 1.1.3: Define the terms open system, closed system and isolated system
• 1.1.4: Describe how the first and second laws of thermodynamics are relevant to environmental system
• 1.1.5: Explain the nature of equilibria
• 1.1.6: Define and explain the principles of positive feedback and negative feedback
• 1.1.7: Describe transfer and transformation processes
• 1.1.8: Distinguish between flows and storages in relation to systems
• 1.1.9: Construct and analyse quantitative models involving flows and storages in a system
• 1.1.10: Evaluate the strengths and limitations of models
• Topic 2: The ecosystem
• 2.1.1: Distinguish between biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem
• 2.1.2; 2.1.3: Define the term trophic level; identify and explain trophic levels in food chains and
• 2.1.4: Explain the principles of pyramids of numbers, pyramids of biomass, and pyramids of productiv
• 2.1.5: Discuss how the pyramid structure affects the functioning of an ecosystem
• 2.1.6: Define the terms species, population, habitat, niche, community and ecosystem with reference
• 2.1.7: Describe and explain population interactions using examples of named species
• 2.2.1: List the significant abiotic components of an ecosystem
• 2.2.2: Describe and evaluate methods for measuring at least three abiotic (physical) factors within
• 2.3.1: Construct simple keys and use published keys for the identification of organisms
• 2.3.2: Describe and evaluate methods for estimating abundance of organisms
• 2.3.3: Describe and evaluate methods for estimating the biomass of trophic levels in a community
• 2.3.4: Define the term diversity
• 2.3.5: Apply Simpson’s Diversity Index and outline its significance
• 2.4.1; 2.4.2: Define the term biome; Explain the distribution, structure, and relative productivity
• 2.5.1: Explain the role of producers, consumers, and decomposers in the ecosystem
• 2.5.2: Describe photosynthesis and respiration in terms of inputs, outputs, and energy transformatio
• 2.5.3: Describe and explain the transfer and transformation of energy as it flows through an ecosyst
• 2.5.4: Describe and explain the transfer and transformation of materials as they cycle within an eco
• 2.5.5: Define the terms gross productivity, net productivity, primary productivity, and secondary pr
• 2.5.6: Define the terms and calculate the values of both gross primary productivity (GPP) and net pr
• 2.5.7: Define the terms and calculate the values of both gross secondary productivity (GSP) and net
• 2.6.1: Explain the concepts of limiting factors and carrying capacity in the context of population g
• 2.6.2: Describe and explain S and J population curves
• 2.6.3: Describe the role of density-dependent and density-independent factors, and internal and exte
• 2.6.4: Describe the principles associated with survivorship curves including K- and r-strategists
• 2.6.5: Describe the concept and processes of succession in a named habitat
• 2.6.6: Explain the changes in energy flow, gross and net productivity, diversity and mineral cycling
• 2.6.7: Describe factors affecting the nature of climax communities
• 2.7.1: Describe and evaluate methods for measuring changes in abiotic and biotic components of an ec
• 2.7.2: Describe and evaluate methods for measuring changes in abiotic and biotic components of an ec
• 2.7.3: Describe and evaluate the use of environmental impact assessments (EIAs)
• Topic 3: Human population, carrying capacity and resource use
• 3.1.1: Describe the nature and explain the implications of exponential growth in human populations
• 3.1.2: Calculate and explain, from given data, the values of crude birth rate, crude death rate, fer
• 3.1.3: Analyse age/sex pyramids and diagrams showing demographic transition models
• 3.1.4: Discuss the use of models in predicting the growth of human populations
• 3.2.1: Explain the concept of resources in terms of natural income
• 3.2.2: Define the terms renewable, replenishable, and non-renewable natural capital
• 3.2.3: Explain the dynamic nature of the concept of a resource
• 3.2.4: Discuss the view that the environment can have its own intrinsic value
• 3.2.5: Explain the concept of sustainability in terms of natural capital and natural income
• 3.2.6: Discuss the concept of sustainable development
• 3.2.7: Calculate and explain sustainable yield from given data
• 3.3.1: Outline the range of energy resources available to society
• 3.3.2: Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of two contrasting energy sources
• 3.3.3: Discuss the factors that affect the choice of energy sources adopted by different societies
• 3.4.1: Outline how soil systems integrate aspects of living systems
• 3.4.2: Compare and contrast the structure and properties of sand, clay and loam soils, including the
• 3.4.3: Outline the processes and consequences of soil degradation
• 3.4.4: Outline soil conservation measures
• 3.4.5: Evaluate soil management strategies in a named commercial farming system and in a named subsi
• 3.5.1: Outline the issues involved in the imbalance in global food supply
• 3.5.2: Compare and contrast the effi ciency of terrestrial and aquatic food production systems
• 3.5.3: Compare and contrast the inputs and outputs of materials and energy, the system characteristi
• 3.5.4: Discuss the links that exist between social systems and food production systems
• 3.6.1: Describe the Earth’s water budget
• 3.6.2: Describe and evaluate the sustainability of fresh-water resource usage with reference to a ca
• 3.7.1: Explain the difficulties in applying the concept of carrying capacity to local human populati
• 3.7.2: Explain how absolute reductions in energy and material use, reuse, and recycling can affect h
• 3.8.1: Explain the concept of an ecological footprint as a model for assessing the demands that huma
• 3.8.2: Calculate from appropriate data the ecological footprint of a given population, stating the a
• 3.8.3: Describe and explain the differences between the ecological footprints of two human populatio
• 3.8.4: Discuss how national and international development policies and cultural infl uences can affe
• 3.8.5: Describe and explain the relationship between population, resource consumption, and technolog
• Topic 4: Conservation and biodiversity
• 4.1.1: Define the terms biodiversity, genetic diversity, species diversity, and habitat diversity
• 4.1.2: Outline the mechanism of natural selection as a possible driving force for speciation
• 4.1.3: State that isolation can lead to different species being produced that are unable to interbre
• 4.1.4: Explain how plate activity has infl uenced evolution and biodiversity
• 4.1.5: Explain the relationships among ecosystem diversity, stability, succession and habitat
• 4.2.1: Identify factors that lead to loss of diversity
• 4.2.2: Discuss the perceived vulnerability of tropical rainforests and their relative value in contr
• 4.2.3: Discuss current estimates of numbers of species and past and present rates of species extinct
• 4.2.4: Describe and explain the factors that may make species more or less prone to extinction
• 4.2.5: Outline the factors used to determine a species’ Red List conservation status
• 4.2.6: Describe the case histories of three different species: one that has become extinct, another
• 4.2.7: Describe the case history of a natural area of biological significance that is threatened by
• 4.3.1: State the arguments for preserving species and habitats
• 4.3.2: Compare and contrast the role and activities of intergovernmental and non-governmental organi
• 4.3.2: Outline recent international conventions on biodiversity
• 4.3.3: State and explain the criteria used to design protected areas
• 4.3.4: Evaluate the success of a named protected area
• 4.3.5: Discuss and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the species-based approach to conservati
• Topic 5: Pollution management
• 5.1.1: Define the term pollution
• 5.1.2: Distinguish between the terms point source pollution and nonpoint source pollution, and outli
• 5.1.3: State the major sources of pollutants
• 5.2.1: Describe two direct methods of monitoring pollution
• 5.2.2: Define the term biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and explain how this indirect method is used
• 5.2.3: Describe and explain an indirect method of measuring pollution levels using a biotic index
• 5.3.1: Outline approaches to pollution management with respect to Figure 5.6
• 5.3.2: Discuss the human factors that affect the approaches to pollution management
• 5.3.3: Evaluate the costs and benefi ts to society of the World Health Organization’s ban on the u
• 5.4.1: Outline the processes of eutrophication
• 5.4.2: Evaluate the impacts of eutrophication
• 5.4.3: Describe and evaluate pollution-management strategies with respect to eutrophication
• 5.5.1: Outline the types of solid domestic waste
• 5.5.2: Describe and evaluate pollution-management strategies for solid domestic and industrial waste
• 5.6.1: Outline the overall structure and composition of the atmosphere
• 5.6.2: Describe the role of ozone in the absorption of ultraviolet radiation
• 5.6.3: Explain the interaction between ozone and halogenated organic gases
• 5.6.4: State the effects of ultraviolet radiation on living tissues and biological productivity
• 5.6.5: Describe three methods of reducing the manufacture and release of ozone-depleting substances
• 5.6.6: Describe and evaluate the role of national and international organizations in reducing the em
• 5.7.1: State the source of and outline the effect of tropospheric ozone
• 5.7.2: Outline the formation of photochemical smog
• 5.7.3: Describe and evaluate pollution-management strategies for urban air pollution
• 5.8.1: Outline the chemistry leading to the formation of acidified precipitations
• 5.8.2: Describe three possible effects of acid deposition on soil, water, and living organisms
• 5.8.3: Explain why the effect of acid deposition is regional rather than global
• 5.8.4: Describe and evaluate pollution-management strategies for acid deposition
• Topic 6: The issue of global warming
• 6.1.1: Describe the role of greenhouse gases in maintaining global temperatures
• 6.1.2: Describe how human activities add to greenhouse gases
• 6.1.3: Discuss qualitatively the potential effects of increased mean global temperature
• 6.1.4: Discuss the feedback mechanisms that would be associated with an increase in mean global temp
• 6.1.5: Describe and evaluate pollution-management strategies to address the issue of global warming
• 6.1.6: Outline the arguments surrounding global warming
• 6.1.7: Evaluate contrasting human perceptions of the issue of global warming
• Topic 7: Environmental value systems
• 7.1.1: State what is meant by an environmental value system
• 7.1.2: Outline the range of environmental philosophies with reference to Figure 7.1
• 7.1.3: Discuss how environmental philosophies infl uence the decision making process with respect to
• 7.1.4: Outline key historical infl uences on the development of the modern environmental movement
• 7.1.5: Compare and contrast the environmental value systems of two named societies
• 7.1.6: Justify your personal viewpoint on environmental issues
• Internal Assessment
• IA Investigation – The effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis
• IA Investigation – Comparing soils around a school
• IA Investigation – Population and development
• IA Investigation – Comparing water quality using indicator species
• IA Investigation – Investigating a shingle ridge succession
• Extended Essay
• Extended Essay: Example
• Glossary: Command terms
• Index
• Back Cover