INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE N01/460/S(2)

BACCALAURÉAT INTERNATIONAL
BACHILLERATO INTERNACIONAL

ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS Name

STANDARD LEVEL
PAPER 2
Number
Monday 5 November 2001 (afternoon)

1 hour

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

! Write your candidate name and number in the boxes above.

! Do not open this examination paper until instructed to do so.
! Section A: Answer Section A in the spaces provided.
! Section B: Answer one question from Section B. Write your answers in a continuation
answer booklet, and indicate the number of booklets used in the box below. Write
your name and candidate number on the front cover of the continuation answer
booklets, and attach them to this question paper using the tag provided.
! At the end of the examination, indicate the number of the Section B question answered in the
box below.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED EXAMINER TEAM LEADER IBCA

SECTION A 1 /20 /20 /20

SECTION B /20 /20 /20

.........
NUMBER OF CONTINUATION TOTAL TOTAL TOTAL
BOOKLETS USED ......... /40 /40 /40

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SECTION A

This question must be attempted by all candidates in the spaces provided.

1. The following data refers to the flow of energy into and through two ecosystems at different latitudes (all
values in kJ m −2 yr −1 ).

Latitude 10! N Latitude 70! N

Solar radiation entering atmosphere 9 × 106 8 × 106
Solar radiation absorbed by earth’s
5 × 106 3 × 106
surface (including vegetation)
Gross primary productivity 80 9
Energy passed on to consumers 40 2

(a) Draw a diagram to represent the relationships between the flows and storages of energy for
one of the ecosystems in the table. (Do not assign values to your diagram.) [3]

(This question continues on the following page)

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(Question 1 continued)

(b) State two processes that account for the difference between the amount of solar energy
entering the atmosphere and the amount absorbed by the earth’s surface (including
vegetation). [2]

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(c) Suggest two reasons for the difference in the amount of energy absorbed by the earth’s
surface (including vegetation) at the two latitudes. [2]

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(d) Calculate, for each latitude, the amount of energy trapped in plant biomass as a percentage of
energy absorbed by the earth’s surface (including vegetation). [3]

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(e) Suggest two reasons for the difference in these percentages. [2]

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(This question continues on the following page)

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(Question 1 continued)

(f) Explain what is meant by a steady state equilibrium. [2]

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(g) For the producer community at 70! N to be in a steady state, what would be the maximum
losses through respiration and death? [1]

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(h) The ecosystem at 10! N latitude is a forest from which timber is being harvested. Use this
example to explain the meaning of the terms renewable, natural capital, natural income and
sustainable yield. [4]

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(i) State one other form of natural capital provided by this ecosystem. [1]

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SECTION B

Answer one question. Write your answers in a continuation answer booklet. Write your name and candidate
number on the front cover of the continuation answer booklets, and attach them to this question paper using the
tag provided.

Each essay question is marked out of a total of 20 marks of which 3 are for the expression and development of
ideas as follows:
0 No expression of relevant ideas.
1 Expression and development of relevant ideas is limited.
2 Ideas are relevant, satisfactorily expressed and reasonably well developed.
3 Ideas are relevant, very well expressed and well developed.

2. The diagram below shows the carbon cycle.

Key
Relative flows of carbon (C) per year
carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) in atmosphere
high

C in stems,
roots and medium
leaves of
plants animals low
death,
death excretion

land
C in
detritus C in animals water
CO 2 in water
(mainly as hydrogen
carbonate, HCO 3 − )
detritivores
decomposers
C in algae
C in humus detritivores and
decomposers death, excretion
death

fossil fuels (oil, coal, natural gas, peat and oil shale) C in detritus

(a) Describe and explain the processes by which carbon is added to, and lost from, the
atmospheric storage. State examples of the organisms involved in the processes. [8]

(b) Human activities have changed the balance of carbon dioxide. How has this balance changed
and what activities have altered it? [4]

(c) Suggest the effects these changes might have on the biosphere. [5]

Expression of ideas [3]

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3. (a) Suggest what the physical, biological and social limits might be to the growth of the human
population on earth. [7]

(b) Explain why it might be considered appropriate for a subsistence farmer in a developing
country to have six children. [4]

(c) Describe and evaluate the current population policies of a named country. [6]

Expression of ideas [3]

4. (a) Describe and explain the mechanisms by which heat energy is redistributed by the atmosphere. [7]

(b) Explain how ocean currents redistribute heat. [4]

(c) Using examples from a named ecosystem that you have studied, discuss the application of the
laws of thermodynamics. [6]

Expression of ideas [3]

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