Study Notes for IB ESS

Use the Environmental Systems and Societies book

I. Systems and Models
Read Case Studies, pg. 4-6
Read about EVS, top of pg. 10
Know the three types of worldviews: ecocentric, anthropocentric,
technocentric, pg. 11
Be able to summarize the ecocentric view, pg. 13
Read “Why Systems”, bottom of pg. 17-21, look at diagrams
Review strengths and weaknesses of models, pg. 25
Review laws of thermodynamics, pg. 28
Review feedback (negative and positive) and stable and unstable equilibria,
pg.32-35
Look at graph at bottom of page 36 for predator/prey relationship
Know what sustainability means, pg. 42
Know definitions of: capital, natural capital, environmental impact
assessment (EIA), pg. 44
Read about the Millennium Development Goals, box at bottom of pg. 44
Know what an ecological footprint is, pg. 46
Read about pollutants, bottom of pg. 48-9
Review major sources of pollution, bottom of pg. 49
Read about POPs, bottom of pg. 50-1
Read Case Study, pg. 53

II. Ecosystems and Ecology

Look over the entire chapter. Pay attention to terms.
Spend time on pg. 63
Pay attention to Productivity on pg. 82-84
Carbon cycle, pg. 86-7
Nitrogen cycle, pg. 88-90
Problem like one on pg. 91 was on a previous IB exam
Pay attention to pg. 119

III. Biodiversity and Conservation

Know the 3 types of diversity, pg. 145
What is “hotspot”, pg. 147
Be able to answer questions (like at bottom of pg. 149)
Review terms in bold print, pg. 151
Review plate tectonics, pg. 152-156
Look over material on mass extinctions (YOUR HOMEWORK!), pg. 157-161
Review material, pg. 165-173
Learn: IUCN, pg. 173-4
Read pg. 181-194, pay attention to words in bold print
IV. Water and Aquatic Food Production Systems and Society
Read top of pg. 199 to know where the water is located.
Review hydrological cycle, pg. 200-1
Read through chapter to review material you should already know
Read Case Study, pg. 213

V. Soil Systems
Look over material on pg. 237-243
Subsistence farming, commercial farming, and pastoral farming, review
material, pg. 246
Carefully read pg. 250-3
Read pg. 265-270

VI. Atmospheric Systems and Society

Be able to read (use) graph on pg. 275
Know levels of the atmosphere
Look over pg. 276-82
Review Montreal Protocol, pg. 283-5
Look over the rest of the chapter, especially paying attention to acid rain
material

VII. Climate Change and Energy Production

VIII. Human Systems and Resource Use
We have not worked in these chapters yet. Look through the material and
gleam what you can.