§-Module

Focus Area: Ecosystems and global biodiversity (2022 syllabus)

6 dot points across 6 inquiry questions, in syllabus order. Each dot point has a focused answer, with exam-style questions and worked answers where available.

How do ecosystems function as systems of biotic and abiotic interactions, and how are they distributed at different scales?

Investigate ecosystems as systems of biotic and abiotic interactions; analyse energy flow, biogeochemical cycles, and the spatial distribution of major terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems

Ecosystem structure and function. Defines biotic and abiotic components; explains energy flow through trophic levels and biogeochemical cycling; surveys major terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem types and their global distribution patterns.

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How does the Great Barrier Reef illustrate the function, threats and management of a globally significant ecosystem?

Apply ecosystem and biodiversity concepts to the Great Barrier Reef as a case study: biophysical features, threats (bleaching, runoff, crown-of-thorns starfish), and management responses (GBRMPA, zoning, Reef 2050 Plan, Traditional Owner partnerships)

A focused HSC Geography (2022 syllabus) case study of the Great Barrier Reef. Covers biophysical features and zonation; threats including mass coral bleaching events (2016, 2017, 2020, 2022, 2024), crown-of-thorns starfish and runoff; management through GBRMPA, the zoning plan, the Reef 2050 Plan and Traditional Owner partnerships.

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How does biodiversity loss affect ecosystem services, and what management strategies operate at different scales?

Analyse the value of ecosystem services and the drivers of global biodiversity loss; evaluate conservation strategies (protected areas, restoration, global agreements such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and CITES)

Ecosystem services and biodiversity loss. Defines the four ecosystem-service categories; identifies the five global drivers of biodiversity loss; evaluates conservation strategies across scales. Includes Great Barrier Reef and Amazon case studies.

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Why is biodiversity distributed unevenly across the globe, and what frameworks help us identify the most significant regions?

Analyse spatial patterns of biodiversity at global scale, including biodiversity hotspots, centres of endemism, the latitudinal gradient, and the principles of island biogeography

Global biodiversity patterns. Defines species, genetic and ecosystem diversity; explains Conservation International's biodiversity hotspots framework; covers the latitudinal gradient, biogeographic realms, centres of endemism, and island biogeography.

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What are the major drivers of biodiversity loss, and how do they interact at different scales?

Analyse the natural and human-induced causes of change to ecosystems and biodiversity, including the HIPPO framework and the role of climate change; refer to the IUCN Red List and named threatened species

Threats to biodiversity. Uses the HIPPO framework (Habitat loss, Invasive species, Pollution, Population, Overharvesting); integrates climate change as a cross-cutting driver; covers IUCN Red List categories and named Australian examples (cane toad, fox, koala, Tasmanian tiger).

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What strategies are used to manage and conserve ecosystems and biodiversity at different scales, and how effective are they?

Evaluate management and conservation strategies for ecosystems and biodiversity at different scales, including in-situ and ex-situ conservation, protected area frameworks, restoration, Indigenous land management, and global agreements

Conservation management. Covers in-situ vs ex-situ approaches; IUCN protected area categories; restoration ecology; Indigenous Protected Areas and cultural burning; the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Kunming-Montreal 30 by 30 target.

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