Topic 3.1 defines biodiversity at the genetic, species, and ecosystem levels and explains why it matters for ecosystem stability and human well-being. Students learn about biodiversity hotspots, the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem services, and methods for measuring species diversity.
Key Idea: Biodiversity is the variety of life. It exists at three levels, arises through evolution, and gives ecosystems resilience.
Tip: Show Simpson's working in 3 lines: formula → substitution → answer. For speciation you MUST say the populations can no longer interbreed to produce fertile offspring.
ESS is assessed through Paper 1 (case study) and Paper 2 (short answer & structured questions). Concepts from this topic may appear in either paper, often combined with data analysis or real-world examples.
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Start studying freeTopic 3.1 Biodiversity and evolution forms a core part of Unit 3: Biodiversity and Conservation in IB ESS. Mastering these concepts will strengthen your understanding of connected topics across the syllabus and prepare you for exam questions that require analysis, evaluation, and real-world application.
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