Solved: Explain how energy drives the hydrological cycle. Using a system diagram, explain... [IB Environmental systems and societies (ESS)]

Identifying Impacts up to 4 marks

Melting will increase due to global warming/climate change/increased greenhouse gas emissions
Freezing will decrease due to global warming/climate change/etc.
Precipitation will be polluted due to acid formation/emissions of NOx & SOx/combustion of coal
Precipitation could change/increase/decrease due to climate change/etc.
Percolation/infiltration will decrease due to urbanization/soil compaction caused by overgrazing
Run-off will increase due to urbanization/deforestation
Warmer/polluted streams due to thermal/toxic pollution from industrial effluent
Evaporation will increase due to global warming/climate change/etc.
Evapotranspiration will increase due to global warming/climate change/etc.
Evapotranspiration will be reduced due to deforestation
Uptake by plants will be reduced due to deforestation/urbanization/long fallow periods
Groundwater flow/aquifers will change dependent on climatic impacts/precipitation/rate of human extraction
Cloud seeding increases precipitation (addressing problem of drought/fog around airports)

Quality of Diagram up to 3 marks

Award 1 mark for every 3 correctly labeled flows or storages. No marks for less than 3.

NoteMaximum 2 marks if gradient is left as a fraction

Answers may include:

Availability & distribution of water
Water security
Climate change
Water pollution
Sustainable management of freshwater resources
Reservoirs
Desalination
Artificial recharge
Water conservation
Environmental value systems
Increasing demand for water
Water scarcity
Link a range of environmental value systems to specific management strategies
Link environmental value systems to general approaches that improve or hinder widespread access to freshwater
Consider geographical locations differing in freshwater availability/quality
Consider societies of different economic development
Provide examples of strategies and human management activities/approaches linked to specific value systems that impact water accessibility

Marks	Level descriptor
0	The response does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below and is not relevant to the question.
1–3	The response contains:• minimal evidence of knowledge and understanding of ESS issues or concepts • fragmented knowledge statements poorly linked to the context of the question • some appropriate use of ESS terminology • no examples where required, or examples with insufficient explanation/relevance • superficial analysis that amounts to no more than a list of facts/ideas • judgments/conclusions that are vague or not supported by evidence/argument.
4–6	The response contains: • some evidence of sound knowledge and understanding of ESS issues and concepts • knowledge statements effectively linked to the context of the question • largely appropriate use of ESS terminology • some use of relevant examples where required, but with limited explanation • clear analysis that shows a degree of balance • some clear judgments/conclusions, supported by limited evidence/arguments.
7–9	The response contains: • substantial evidence of sound knowledge and understanding of ESS issues and concepts • a wide breadth of knowledge statements effectively linked with each other, and to the context of the question • consistently appropriate and precise use of ESS terminology • effective use of pertinent, well-explained examples, where required, showing some originality • thorough, well-balanced, insightful analysis • explicit judgments/conclusions that are well-supported by evidence/arguments and that include some critical reflection.

Environmental systems and societies (ESS) International Baccalaureate (IB) Practice Question: 1. Explain how energy drives the hydrological cycle. 2. Using a system diagram, explain how human activities affect glo...