1
3 marks
Define zonation in the context of ecological systems.
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Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2024
First exams 2026
Zonation, Succession & Change in Ecosystems (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS): HL): Exam Questions
2 hours27 questions
2
1 mark
State one abiotic factor that can cause zonation.
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3
1 mark
Define the term succession.
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4
1 mark
Outline one difference between primary and secondary succession.
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5
1 mark
State one factor that increases as an ecosystem undergoes succession.
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6
2 marks
List two characteristics of K-strategist species.
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7
1 mark
Define the term climax community.
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8
1 mark
Define the term plagioclimax.
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9
1 mark
State one characteristic of a pioneer plant species.
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10
3 marks
Outline three differences between r-strategist and K-strategist species.
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1
5 marks
Complete the table below by writing either 'low' or 'high' in each of the empty boxes.
Feature | r-strategist species | K-strategist species |
|---|---|---|
Reproductive rate |
|
|
Growth rate |
|
|
Investment in offspring (parental care) |
|
|
Survival rate |
|
|
Level of specialisation |
|
|
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2
4 marks
Outline how various factors influence the resilience of an ecosystem.
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3
2 marks
Explain how larger populations can affect ecosystem resilience.
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4
1 mark
The figure below shows how the dominant vegetation and crop production changes with altitude in the Andes mountain range in South America.
The changes in dominant vegetation shows a distinct pattern.
State the ecological term used to describe this pattern.
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5
3 marks
Outline how species diversity increases towards the later stages of succession.
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6
4 marks
Describe the processes involved in the formation of fertile soils from bare rock.
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7
3 marks
Discuss the factors contributing to the low resilience of coniferous forest monocultures.
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8
3 marks
Outline why gross productivity is relatively low during early stages of succession.
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9
3 marks
Outline two ways in which soil conditions can affect the type of community that develops during succession.
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10
4 marks
Describe how fire and weather-related events can influence succession.
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11
4 marks
Explain why net productivity changes during ecological succession.
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12
3 marks
Explain how geomorphological and topographical features can affect the process of succession.
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1
7 marks
The biomass, biodiversity and productivity of an ecosystem change as the ecosystem undergoes succession.
Explain how.
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2
9 marks
Discuss the extent to which the resilience of different biomes is influenced by their levels of primary productivity.
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3
9 marks
Discuss the extent to which succession increases the stability and resilience of ecosystems.
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4
7 marks
Explain how human activity can divert or modify natural succession.
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5
9 marks
Discuss how r- and K-strategist species influence patterns of succession in different ecosystems.
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