1. Foundations of ESS

1.1 Environmental Value Systems

1.1.1 The Environmental Movement

1.1.2 Environmental Value Systems

1.1.3 Categorising Environmental Value Systems

1.1.4 Contrasting Environmental Value Systems

1.1.5 Intrinsic Value of the Environment

1.2 Systems & Models

1.2.1 The Systems Approach

1.2.2 The Characteristics of Systems

1.2.3 Types of System

1.2.4 Models

1.3 Energy & Equilibria

1.3.1 Laws of Thermodynamics & Environmental Systems

1.3.2 The Nature of Equilibria

1.3.3 Positive & Negative Feedback

1.3.4 Climate Tipping Points

1.4 Sustainability

1.4.1 Sustainability

1.4.2 Sustainable Development

1.4.3 Natural Capital

1.4.4 The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

1.4.5 Environmental Impact Assessments

1.4.6 How to Reduce Ecological Footprints

1.5 Humans & Pollution

1.5.1 The Nature of Pollution

1.5.2 Different Types of Pollution

1.5.3 Effects of DDT on Animals

1.5.4 Pollution Management

2. Ecosystems & Ecology

2.1 Species & Populations

2.1.1 Species, Habitats & Niches

2.1.2 Abiotic & Biotic Factors

2.1.3 Population Interactions, Limiting Factors & Carrying Capacity

2.1.4 Population Growth

2.2 Communities & Ecosystems

2.2.1 Communities & Ecosystems

2.2.2 Photosynthesis

2.2.3 Respiration

2.2.4 Trophic Levels

2.2.5 Pyramid of Numbers

2.2.6 Pyramid of Biomass

2.2.7 Pyramid of Productivity

2.2.8 What is Bioaccumulation & Biomagnification?

2.3 Flows of Energy & Matter

2.3.1 Pathways of Energy Entering the Atmosphere

2.3.2 Energy Transfer & Transformation

2.3.3 Productivity & Maximum Sustainable Yield

2.3.4 What is the Carbon Cycle?

2.3.5 What is the Nitrogen Cycle?

2.4 Biomes, Zonation & Succession

2.4.1 What are Biomes?

2.4.2 Tricellular Model of Atmospheric Circulation

2.4.3 Spatial & Temporal Changes in Communities

2.4.4 Pioneer & Climax Communities

2.4.5 Human Impact on Succession

2.5 Investigating Ecosystems

2.5.1 Studying Ecosystems

2.5.2 Measuring Abiotic Components of Ecosystems

2.5.3 Measuring Biotic Components of Ecosystems

2.5.4 Species Richness & Diversity

2.5.5 Estimating Biomass & Energy of Trophic Levels

2.5.6 Measuring Changes in Ecosystems

3. Biodiversity & Conservation

3.1 An Introduction to Biodiversity

3.1.1 What is Biodiversity?

3.1.2 Diversity Indices

3.1.3 What are the Methods of Conserving Biodiversity?

3.2 Origins of Biodiversity

3.2.1 Biodiversity Arises from Evolutionary Processes

3.2.2 The Role of Isolation in Forming New Species

3.2.3 Plate Activity

3.2.4 What Caused Mass Extinctions on Earth?

3.3 Threats to Biodiversity

3.3.1 The Number of Species on Earth

3.3.2 Tropical Biomes & Sustainable Development

3.3.3 Determining Conservation Status

3.3.4 Extinct, Critically Endangered & Improving Species

3.4 Conservation of Biodiversity

3.4.1 Preserving Biodiversity

3.4.2 Conservation Organisations & International Conventions

3.4.3 Biodiversity Conservation Approaches & Designing Protected Areas

3.4.4 Strategies of Biodiversity Conservation

3.4.5 Comparing Biodiversity Conservation Approaches

4. Water & Aquatic Food Production Systems & Societies

4.1 Introduction to Water Systems

4.1.1 The Hydrological Cycle

4.1.2 Human Impact on the Hydrological Cycle

4.1.3 Ocean Circulation

4.2 Access to Fresh Water

4.2.1 Access to Fresh Water Issues

4.2.2 Fresh Water Conflicts

4.2.3 Sustainable Management of Fresh Water Resources

4.3 Aquatic Food Production Systems

4.3.1 Demand for Aquatic Food Production

4.3.2 What is Aquaculture?

4.3.3 Issues in Aquaculture

4.3.4 Unsustainable Fishing Practices

4.4 Water Pollution

4.4.1 Sources of Fresh Water & Marine Pollution

4.4.2 Measuring Water Quality

4.4.3 Biodegradation of Organic Material

4.4.4 Indicator Species

4.4.5 What is Eutrophication?

4.4.6 Water Pollution Management Strategies

5. Soil Systems & Terrestrial Food Production Systems & Societies

5.1 Introduction to Soil Systems

5.1.1 Soil Profiles

5.1.2 Soil Systems

5.1.3 Soil Structures & Properties

5.2 Terrestrial Food Production Systems & Food Choices

5.2.1 Sustainability of Terrestrial Food Production Systems

5.2.2 Inequalities & Food Waste

5.2.3 Links Between Social Systems & Food Production Systems

5.2.4 Comparing Terrestrial Food Production Systems

5.2.5 Increasing Sustainability of Food Production Systems

5.3 Soil Degradation & Conservation

5.3.1 Soil Ecosystems

5.3.2 Soil Degradation

5.3.3 Soil Conservation

6. Atmospheric Systems & Societies

6.1 Introduction to the Atmosphere

6.1.1 The Atmosphere as a Dynamic System

6.1.2 Human Impact on Atmospheric Composition

6.1.3 Greenhouse Effect

6.2 Stratospheric Ozone

6.2.1 UV Radiation & Ozone

6.2.2 Biological Effects of UV Radiation

6.2.3 Reducing Ozone Depletion

6.3 Photochemical Smog

6.3.1 Primary & Secondary Pollutants

6.3.2 Trophospheric Ozone

6.3.3 Smog

6.3.4 Air Pollution Management Strategies

6.4 Acid Deposition

6.4.1 Acid Deposition: Causes & Effects

6.4.2 Pollution Management Strategies for Acid Deposition

7. Climate Change & Energy Production

7.1 Energy Choices & Security

7.1.1 What are Fossil Fuels?

7.1.2 Renewable & Alternative Energy Sources

7.1.3 Energy Security Strategy

7.2 Climate Change: Causes & Impacts

7.2.1 What is the Difference Between Weather & Climate?

7.2.2 What are Greenhouse Gases?

7.2.3 Positive & Negative Impacts of Climate Change

7.2.4 Causes of Climate Change

7.3 Climate Change: Mitigation & Adaptation

7.3.1 Climate Change: Mitigation Strategies

7.3.2 Removal of Carbon Dioxide from the Atmosphere

7.3.3 Climate Change Adaptation Strategies

7.3.4 International Policy on Climate Change

8. Human Systems & Resource Use

8.1 Human Population Dynamics

8.1.1 Demographic Variables

8.1.2 Human Population Growth Curve

8.1.3 Human Population Models

8.1.4 Factors Affecting Population Dynamics

8.2 Resource Use in Society

8.2.1 Natural Capital & Sustainability

8.2.2 The Nature of Natural Capital

8.3 Solid Domestic Waste

8.3.1 Solid Domestic Waste

8.3.2 Waste Disposal Methods

8.3.3 Managing Solid Domestic Waste

8.4 Human Population Carrying Capacity

8.4.1 Carrying Capacity

8.4.2 Human Population & Ecological Footprints

8.4.3 Limits to Human Population Growth