Introduction
Land is one of the most valuable natural resources, and how societies use it has direct consequences for sustainability. In IB Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS), the 2026 first assessment syllabus emphasizes the links between land use, resource management, and environmental impacts.
Understanding land use is crucial because it ties together multiple themes in ESS: soil, food production, population growth, biodiversity, and climate change. To succeed in exams, students must show how different land use choices affect both local ecosystems and global sustainability.
Quick Start Checklist for ESS Students
When revising land use and sustainability, make sure you can:
- Define land use in terms of agriculture, urbanization, forestry, and conservation.
- Explain how land use decisions affect ecosystems, soil, and water.
- Link land use to ecological footprints.
- Use case studies to illustrate sustainable and unsustainable practices.
- Evaluate strategies to manage land sustainably.
Land Use in the ESS Syllabus
The syllabus treats land use as a systems issue—where human demands interact with environmental limits. You need to study:
- Agricultural land use: intensive vs. extensive farming, subsistence vs. commercial.
- Urban land use: expansion of cities, urban systems, and their footprints.
- Forestry: logging, deforestation, and reforestation.
- Conservation land use: protected areas, national parks, biosphere reserves.
How Land Use Links to Sustainability
1. Ecological Footprints
Different land uses have different ecological footprints. For example:
- Commercial cattle ranching = large land demand, high greenhouse gas emissions.
- Organic farming = smaller footprint but lower yields.
2. Soil Degradation
Unsustainable farming leads to erosion, salinization, and desertification, reducing long-term productivity.
3. Water Resources
Irrigation-heavy land use strains freshwater supplies, especially in arid regions.
4. Biodiversity
Deforestation, monoculture farming, and urban sprawl reduce habitats and ecosystem services.
5. Climate Change
Land use change (especially deforestation) contributes significantly to carbon emissions.
Case Studies of Land Use and Sustainability
- Amazon Rainforest (Brazil): deforestation for cattle ranching and soy farming; global climate and biodiversity impacts.
- Loess Plateau (China): degraded land restored through reforestation and terracing, improving sustainability.
- Singapore (Urban Systems): efficient urban planning reduces ecological footprint.
- Sahel (Africa): overgrazing and poor land management causing desertification.
Sustainable Land Management Strategies
ESS requires you to evaluate solutions, such as:
- Agroforestry: combining trees and crops to reduce erosion.
- Crop rotation: maintaining soil fertility.
- Conservation areas: balancing human needs with biodiversity protection.
- Urban green spaces: reducing heat islands and improving sustainability.
- Legislation and policy: zoning, reforestation incentives, protected land.
Land Use in ESS Exams
Paper 1
Case study booklets may show land use maps, soil erosion data, or satellite images of deforestation.
Paper 2
Possible essay questions:
- “Discuss how land use affects sustainability.”
- “Evaluate strategies for sustainable land management with reference to case studies.”
Exam Tips
- Always connect land use to sustainability. Use terms like ecological footprint, carrying capacity, and resilience.
- Bring in case studies. Amazon and Loess Plateau are strong contrasting examples.
- Think global and local. Show awareness of both community-level and international impacts.
FAQs
1. Do I need to know urban land use in detail?
Yes, but at a systems level. Focus on how urban growth increases ecological footprints and how sustainable planning can reduce impacts.
2. How many case studies should I prepare?
At least two contrasting ones: one showing unsustainable land use (e.g., Amazon deforestation) and one showing successful management (e.g., Loess Plateau restoration).
3. Could land use appear in data analysis questions?
Yes. Expect maps, graphs, or statistics showing land cover changes over time.
Conclusion
Land use is central to ESS because it links ecosystems, resources, and sustainability. By understanding how agriculture, urbanization, forestry, and conservation affect ecological footprints—and supporting your answers with strong case studies—you’ll be well-prepared for exam questions in the 2026 first assessment.
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