Unit 1: Foundations of ESS

Topic 1.3: Equilibrium, Stability and Resilience Questions

Practice 20 exam-style questions for IB ESS Topic 1.3. Review the question stems below, then unlock the full Question Bank to access markschemes, model answers, and AI grading.

1state1 mark
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State one factor that can increase ecosystem resilience.
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2state2 marks
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State two human activities that can trigger positive feedback loops in environmental systems.
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3define1 mark
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Define the term negative feedback loop.
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4define1 mark
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Define the term resilience in the context of environmental systems.
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5state1 mark
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State one characteristic of a positive feedback loop.
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6state2 marks
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State two characteristics of a resilient system.
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7outline2 marks
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Outline what is meant by albedo and state how it affects global temperature.
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8outline2 marks
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Outline one example of a negative feedback loop in a natural system.
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9outline2 marks
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Outline one example of a positive feedback loop related to climate change.
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10explain3 marks
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Explain the relationship between resilience and tipping points in environmental systems.
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11outline2 marks
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Outline how biodiversity can increase the resilience of an ecosystem.
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12explain3 marks
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Explain how negative feedback loops contribute to the stability of ecosystems.
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13explain3 marks
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Explain why positive feedback loops can lead to environmental instability.
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14explain3 marks
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Explain how negative feedback loops can increase ecosystem resilience.
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15outline2 marks
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Outline one way human activity can reduce the resilience of an ecosystem.
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16compare4 marks
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Compare positive and negative feedback loops.
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17compare4 marks
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Compare resilient and non-resilient ecosystems.
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18discuss4 marks
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With reference to one named ecosystem, discuss how human activity has affected its resilience.
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19explain4 marks
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With reference to polar environments, explain how changes in albedo can create a positive feedback loop.
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20discuss4 marks
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With reference to one example, discuss how feedback loops can influence ecosystem resilience.
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