Kingdom of Bahrain

Ministry of Education
Private Education

APG IB World School

Diploma programme

ESS Assignment
15
Name: Ahmed A. Ameer Ali Hassan

Q1: Outline the factors that contribute to total biodiversity of an ecosystem. (2)

The diversity of niches, the area, as well as the climate

Q2: Figure: Map to show the location of

Yasuni National Park in Ecuador, a globally

significant high biodiversity area.

(i) Define biodiversity. (1)

Biodiversity is a broad concept

encompassing the total variety of living
systems.

(ii) With reference to Figure

identify three factors that could explain the high biodiversity in Ecuador. (3)

The area is considerably large and protected

It’s close to the equator

The mountains have wide ranges

(iii) The Table below show the species richness of Yasuni National Park. Describe a method

that may have been used for collecting the tree data. (1)
 Kingdom of Bahrain
Ministry of Education
Private Education

APG IB World School

Diploma programme

A line transect which is like a tape measure laid out in the direction of the gradient

Q3: State two barriers that can form and lead to isolation of populations. (2)

Mountain ranges
Bodies of water (i.e.. Oceans, seas, lakes, ponds, etc.)

Q4: Outline how convection cells lead to plate tectonics. (3)

Convection cells are created by radioactive decay in the core when heat rises and falls inside the
mantle. The plates are moved by the convection cells. Plates migrate apart as convection cells
diverge near the Earth's crust. Plates move towards each other where convection cells converge.
When they move, this causes the plates to move which then causes continents to move.

Q5: Identify three reasons why the background extinction rate is rising now and leading to the
6th extinction. (3)
Increasing population
Consumption rates
Temperature changes