ESS Topic 2.1 - Structures

The document discusses the composition and structure of the atmosphere. It is composed primarily of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and argon. The atmosphere is divided into layers based on altitude and temperature. The troposphere, located closest to the surface, is where weather occurs and contains the majority of the atmosphere's mass, water vapor, and dust. It is also where most human pollution accumulates and affects climate change through increased greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide.

Summary of topic 1.3

This document discusses key concepts in environmental systems and societies, including: 1. Ecosystems can range from small self-contained communities to the entire biosphere of the planet. Biomes are large open ecosystems that span stable climates. 2. The laws of thermodynamics state that energy is conserved but tends towards disorder, so systems seek equilibrium. There are several types of equilibrium including static, steady state, stable, and unstable. 3. Feedback mechanisms can be positive or negative, with negative feedback restoring equilibrium and positive feedback driving a system to a new state. Examples of feedback in maintaining human body temperature are provided.

1.2 Systems and models

Scott Lucas

1.4 Sustainability

Scott Lucas

Summary of topic 6.2

The document discusses stratospheric ozone and its depletion by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). It explains that ozone in the stratosphere absorbs ultraviolet light and protects life from its harmful effects. CFCs were used widely but break down ozone when they reach the stratosphere. This led to the discovery of the Antarctic ozone hole in 1985. Increased UV radiation can cause skin cancer, eye damage and lower crop yields. International agreements like the Montreal Protocol have phased out CFC use, reducing ozone depletion, though some developing nations still use CFCs and a black market exists.

1) A system is defined as a collection of elements that interact and exchange energy and matter. Systems can be open, closed, or isolated depending on whether they exchange energy, matter, or both. 2) The first law of thermodynamics states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another. All systems transform energy to do work and function. 3) The second law of thermodynamics describes how entropy increases as energy is dissipated and becomes unavailable to do work. Living systems must continuously acquire and transform energy to maintain order and fight entropy.

Summary of topic 1.4

Natural capital refers to the resources available for human exploitation including renewable, replenishable, and non-renewable resources found in the biosphere, lithosphere, and atmosphere. Renewable resources like timber can be replaced through natural processes like photosynthesis, while replenishable resources like solar energy are continually replaced through abiotic processes. Non-renewable resources like fossil fuels cannot be naturally replaced within human timescales. Sustainable development aims to meet current needs without compromising future generations by limiting use of non-renewables and switching to renewables. However, there is debate around balancing environmental, economic, and social factors.

Topic 3.2

This document discusses the origins of biodiversity through the process of evolution by natural selection. It explains that over long periods of time, organisms gradually change through beneficial mutations that allow better adaptation to the environment, and these adapted traits get passed down through reproduction. Variation exists within species, and individuals with variations better suited to the environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their beneficial genes. This gradual process of evolution through natural selection over millions of years has led to the diversity of life we see today. Plate tectonics further influenced biodiversity by splitting land masses and isolating previously connected populations, allowing them to evolve separately into new species through allopatric speciation.

2.2 communities and ecosystems notes

The document outlines concepts related to ecosystems and ecology covered in the IB Environmental Systems and Societies course. It discusses key topics like communities and ecosystems, energy and nutrient flows, photosynthesis and respiration, food chains and webs, and ecological pyramids. Various models are presented to illustrate feeding relationships and the transfer of energy between trophic levels in an ecosystem.

Summary of topic 4.2

This document discusses access to freshwater around the world. Only a small percentage of Earth's total water is freshwater, and its distribution is inequitable with many less economically developed countries lacking access. The turnover time, or time it takes for water to cycle from one part of the hydrologic cycle to another, varies significantly from 10,000 years for ice caps to just 12 days for rivers and the atmosphere. Increasing water usage in many areas is threatening sustainability as populations rise without adequate conservation efforts. The case study of Mexico City illustrates some of these challenges as groundwater is overexploited and wastewater is increasingly reused to try and meet the needs of the large population.

Summary of topic 6.3

The document discusses photochemical smog and tropospheric ozone. It explains that (1) emissions from burning fossil fuels and deforestation produce pollutants like NOx and VOCs that react with sunlight to form ozone in the troposphere. (2) High temperatures and concentrations of these pollutants near the equator exacerbate ozone formation. (3) Photochemical smog results from a mixture of ozone, NOx and VOCs in cities without wind dispersing the pollutants. It causes eye, skin and respiratory irritation in humans and damage to plants. Management strategies aim to reduce vehicle use and encourage public transport to lessen emissions.

Ess Topic 1 - Systems and Models

This document outlines concepts related to systems thinking from pages 69-90 of the IB ESS Course Companion. It defines key terms like systems, open and closed systems, feedback loops, and equilibria. It also explains how systems can be analyzed on different scales from cells to biomes to the whole Earth. The document provides examples and details about how systems thinking is applied in environmental science.

Topic 1 systems & models

The document discusses systems, synergy, and models. It defines a system as being made up of individual parts that work together to perform a function. Synergy is described as two or more things working together in a particularly fruitful way to produce an effect greater than the sum of their individual effects. A model is defined as a representation or simulation of something that is used when the real thing is unavailable or impractical.

Summary of topic 2.5

This document discusses various methods for measuring biotic factors and biodiversity in ecosystems, including: - Species richness, which counts the number of different species. Biodiversity combines species richness with the relative abundance of individuals of each species. - Population size can be estimated by throwing quadrats and extrapolating from the counts. Simpson's Diversity Index provides a single number measurement of biodiversity. - Other metrics like abundance, density, frequency, and biomass provide additional information about populations and communities. - For mobile species, mark-recapture methods like the Lincoln Index can estimate population size over time. - Alternative approaches include chemical fogging to sample canopy insects, though ethics must be

Summary of topic 6.4

Acid rain is caused by NOx and SOx emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels which react with water vapor and oxygen in the air to form acids. These acids can fall to earth long distances from the source as wet or dry deposition, damaging lakes and forests. Lakes experience decreased biodiversity and fish mortality while forests show needle loss, inhibited growth, and increased soil acidity. Management strategies include reducing emissions through cleaner fuels and regulations, adding neutralizing agents to smokestacks, and remediating ecosystems. However, regulations are costly to implement and maintain, and international agreements are difficult to enforce.

Topic 3.1

This document discusses biodiversity, including its definition, components, and methods for measuring it. Biodiversity refers to the variety of species, habitats, and genetic diversity in an area. It can be measured by species diversity, habitat diversity, and genetic diversity. Methods for measuring biodiversity include counting species richness, calculating Simpson's Diversity Index using population data from quadrats, mark-recapture studies using the Lincoln Index, and chemical fogging to sample canopy insects. Global patterns of biodiversity are also addressed.

Topic 1 Systems and models

njcotton

A system is an organized collection of interdependent components that work together to perform a function through the transfer of energy and/or matter. Examples include ecosystems and organizations. Systems can be open, closed, or isolated depending on whether matter and/or energy are exchanged with the external environment. Key components of systems include inputs, flows within the system, outputs, and storage areas. Positive feedback reinforces change while negative feedback brings a system back into equilibrium. Models are used to represent and simulate real-world systems.

Summary of topic 7.3

This document discusses climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. It defines mitigation as actions to reduce or stabilize greenhouse gas emissions. Methods of mitigation mentioned include reducing energy consumption, emissions from agriculture and deforestation, switching to renewable energies, carbon sequestration, and geoengineering techniques. Policy strategies are outlined at national and individual levels, including limiting carbon emissions and increasing renewable energy and forestation. The Kyoto Protocol is summarized as an international agreement for countries to reduce greenhouse gases through emissions trading and carbon offsetting via forestation. It was extended until 2020 and strengthened by the Paris Accords.

Topic 1.1- Environmental value systems Four Corners.pdf

Nigel Gardner

1.3 energy and equilibria notes

The document is a study guide for the IB Environmental Systems and Societies course. It covers key concepts relating to energy and equilibria, including the first and second laws of thermodynamics. These laws govern energy flow and transformation in systems. Systems can exist in alternative stable states, maintained by negative feedback loops, or tipping points driven by positive feedback. The document provides examples and assessment questions to illustrate these concepts for ecosystems. It discusses how resilience, diversity, and size of storages can influence a system's response to changes and stresses.

Summary of topic 8.4

This document discusses human population carrying capacity and factors that influence it. It notes that while the concept of carrying capacity applies to other species, it is difficult to define for human populations due to variables like technology, resource use, and trade. The document also summarizes Malthusian and Boserup theories on population growth and food production. It introduces the concept of ecological footprint and compares footprints of different countries. Finally, it discusses environmental value systems and perspectives like ecocentrism, technocentrism, and anthropocentrism.

Summary of topic 2.3

This document discusses energy flow and matter cycling in ecosystems. It explains that only a small portion (around 0.06%) of the sun's energy is captured by producers through photosynthesis. Primary productivity is the gain in biomass by producers, while secondary productivity is the gain by heterotrophs. Gross productivity does not account for energy losses from respiration, while net productivity does. Formulas are provided to calculate net primary productivity (NPP) and net secondary productivity (NSP). The carbon, nitrogen, and water cycles are also summarized. Maximum NPP values are listed for different biomes.

Summary of topic 7.1

Here are some key points to consider in your response: 1. The range of energy resources includes renewable (solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, biomass, tidal, wave) and non-renewable (coal, gas, oil, nuclear). 2. Advantages and disadvantages of resources will vary but may include factors like environmental impacts, costs, existing infrastructure, resource availability, and public perception. 3. Choice of resources is influenced by factors such as economic development, historical dependence, infrastructure, public attitudes, policy, energy demands, and environmental concerns. MEDCs tend to rely more on non-renewables due to higher energy demands while LEDCs traditionally use more renewable resources. Transitioning energy systems requires overcoming

Ess topic 1 foundations of environmental systems and societies(first exam 2017)

Topic 1: Foundations of environmental systems and societies (16 hours) Big questions: This topic may be particularly appropriate for considering big questions A, C, D and E. Sub-topic 1.1: Environmental value systems Significant ideas: • Historical events, among other influences, affect the development of environmental value systems (EVSs) and environmental movements. • There is a wide spectrum of EVSs, each with its own premises and implications. Knowledge and understanding: • Significant historical influences on the development of the environmental movement have come from literature, the media, major environmental disasters, international agreements and technological developments. • An EVS is a worldview or paradigm that shapes the way an individual, or group of people, perceives and evaluates environmental issues, influenced by cultural, religious, economic and socio-political contexts. • An EVS might be considered as a system in the sense that it may be influenced by education, experience, culture and media (inputs), and involves a set of interrelated premises, values and arguments that can generate consistent decisions and evaluations (outputs). • There is a spectrum of EVSs, from ecocentric through anthropocentric to technocentric value systems. • An ecocentric viewpoint integrates social, spiritual and environmental dimensions into a holistic ideal. It puts ecology and nature as central to humanity and emphasizes a less materialistic approach to life with greater self-sufficiency of societies. An ecocentric viewpoint prioritizes biorights, emphasizes the importance of education and encourages self-restraint in human behaviour. • An anthropocentric viewpoint argues that humans must sustainably manage the global system. This might be through the use of taxes, environmental regulation and legislation. Debate would be encouraged to reach a consensual, pragmatic approach to solving environmental problems. • A

Summary of topic 5.3

The document discusses two case studies of soil degradation: the Dust Bowl of the 1930s in the US and the drying of the Aral Sea in Central Asia by the Soviet Union. Both events were caused by unsustainable farming and water use practices that removed protective vegetation from the soil, leading to widespread dust storms and desertification. The document also discusses the global issue of soil degradation, its causes like erosion, pollution, overgrazing and mismanaged farmland, and techniques to conserve soil like reducing erosion, managing nutrients, limiting compaction, and preventing overgrazing.

Pyramids

Logos Academy

This document summarizes different types of ecological pyramids including pyramids of numbers, biomass, and productivity. It explains that pyramids of numbers show the relative population sizes at each trophic level, while pyramids of biomass show the total mass of organisms. Pyramids of productivity represent the flow of energy through trophic levels, which typically decreases at each level as only 10% of energy is transferred. Examples are given of each type of pyramid along with their advantages and disadvantages. Key concepts around species, populations, communities, niches, habitats, and ecosystems are also defined. Different biotic interactions like competition, predation, symbiosis, commensalism and parasitism are briefly explained

Ecosystem in ecology

Al Nahian Avro

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Chili Pepper Tasks - MYP 4 Gas Laws

Vernier exploring gas laws lab

Graphing periodic trends

Intro to Chemistry - Meet the elements

This document provides an overview of topics to be covered in an introductory high school chemistry course, including atomic theory, periodicity, nomenclature, types of reactions, and balancing equations. The course will explore the atomic model including atomic structure and isotopes. It will examine periodic trends in properties including atomic radius, ionization energy, and reactivity. Students will learn to name ionic and covalent compounds and identify different types of chemical reactions like synthesis, decomposition, and combustion. Balancing chemical equations will be covered, applying the law of conservation of mass. Diagrams and images supplement the text to illustrate key concepts.

Grade 8 chemistry vocabulary list

Chemical reaction posters - MYP 3

Biome Interactions - Blank food web activity

Chili Pepper Tasks - MYP 2 Evolution Unit