IB Environmental Systems Revision

Foundations of Environmental Systems

Systems thinking, environmental value systems, and energy and equilibria.

Foundations of Environmental Systems is a core part of IB Environmental Systems. Revise the key concepts and common mistakes below, then lock them in with the free games.

Key concepts

Research methodsSystematic field and lab investigation.
SamplingRepresentative measurement of an environment.
Environmental monitoringTracking change with indicators and data.
Data analysisInterpreting environmental data.
FieldworkCollecting data in the field.
ModellingPredicting environmental change.

Common mistakes to avoid

Questions where students often pick the tempting wrong answer — make sure you know the right one:

Is energy recycled within an ecosystem?✗ Yes, energy cycles round endlessly.   ✓ No — energy flows through and is lost as heat; nutrients are recycled.
What does biodiversity measure?✗ Only the number of animals.   ✓ The variety of all living things and their genes in an area.

Practise Foundations of Environmental Systems — free games

Test yourself with these quick revision games for this topic:

▶ Two Truths, One Lie▶ Reveal Race▶ Connections Grid▶ Falling Words▶ Word Web

See all 17 games in the Subjects Arcade →

More IB Environmental Systems topics

Ecosystems & BiodiversityAtmospheric SystemsClimate Change & EnergyWater & Aquatic SystemsSoil & Terrestrial SystemsHuman Systems & Resource UseEthics, Law & Economics

← All revision guides

Want to revise every topic this smart?

The Velvet Method teaches you to use AI to revise any subject — £25, lifetime access.

Explore the Course →