Environmental Science syllabus, dot point by dot point

the classification, taxonomy and naming of organisms, including the use of binomial nomenclature and taxonomic hierarchy, and how classification supports the description and conservation of biodiversity

How are living things classified and named, and why does taxonomy matter for biodiversity?

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How is biodiversity described and why does it matter to human wellbeing?

the levels of biodiversity (genetic, species and ecosystem) and the value of biodiversity through ecosystem services and human wellbeing

the threats to biodiversity including habitat loss and fragmentation, invasive species, overexploitation, pollution and climate change, and the process of extinction

What threatens biodiversity and how does extinction occur?

measures of biodiversity including species richness, species evenness and the use of diversity indices to compare ecosystems

How can biodiversity be measured and compared between sites?

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What are endemic species and biodiversity hotspots, and why are they conservation priorities?

the concepts of endemism and biodiversity hotspots, why endemic species and hotspots are especially vulnerable, and their significance for setting conservation priorities

the four categories of ecosystem services (supporting, provisioning, regulating and cultural) and how each links biodiversity to human wellbeing and development

What are the four categories of ecosystem services and how do they sustain human life?

the ecological, economic, social and intrinsic value of biodiversity and the difference between instrumental and intrinsic value in conservation decisions

What different types of value does biodiversity hold and why does the distinction matter?

Unit 4: How can climate change and energy use be managed?

the natural drivers of climate change including Milankovitch cycles, solar variation and volcanic activity, and the role of positive and negative feedback mechanisms in amplifying or dampening change

What natural factors and feedback mechanisms have driven climate change throughout Earth's history?

the carbon cycle including the main carbon stores (reservoirs), the fluxes between them, the role of fast and slow cycling, and how human activities have altered the cycle

How does carbon move between Earth's systems, and how have humans disturbed the carbon cycle?

Earth's climate system as the interaction of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and lithosphere, and the global energy balance including incoming solar radiation, albedo and outgoing radiation

How do Earth's four systems and the energy balance work together to control the climate?

the natural greenhouse effect, the main greenhouse gases and their sources, and how the enhanced greenhouse effect from human activity drives global warming

How does the greenhouse effect work and why is the climate warming?

the lines of evidence for climate change including direct measurements and proxy data such as ice cores, and the environmental and social impacts of climate change

What evidence shows the climate is changing and what are the impacts?

Unit 3: How can biodiversity and development be sustained?

the principles of ecological sustainability and how development can be managed using approaches such as the precautionary principle, intergenerational equity and ecologically sustainable development

How can development be made sustainable so biodiversity is not lost?

strategies for managing and conserving biodiversity including in-situ conservation (protected areas, wildlife corridors) and ex-situ conservation (captive breeding, seed banks)

How can biodiversity be conserved in and out of its natural habitat?

Unit 4: How can climate change and energy use be managed?

approaches to managing energy use and reducing greenhouse gas emissions including energy efficiency, mitigation and adaptation strategies, and the transition to a low-carbon economy

How can energy use be managed to reduce emissions and improve sustainability?

the scientific concepts of energy and power, the units used to measure them (joules and watts), energy conversions and losses, and the meaning of energy efficiency

What are energy and power, how are they measured, and what does energy efficiency mean?

the characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of non-renewable energy sources (fossil fuels, nuclear) and renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, biomass)

What are the renewable and non-renewable energy sources and their impacts?