Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2024

First exams 2026

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Loss of Biosphere Integrity (HL) (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS))

Revision Note

Alistair Marjot

Written by: Alistair Marjot

Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett

Loss of Biosphere Integrity

What is biosphere integrity?

  • Biosphere integrity refers to the health and stability of the Earth's biodiversity, including it ecosystems, habitats, species, and genetic diversity

    • It is one of the nine planetary boundaries

    • These are thresholds that define a safe operating space for humanity

    • Crossing these boundaries increases the risk of environmental change that could destabilise the Earth system

  • The loss of biosphere integrity shows that human activities have caused a rapid decline in biodiversity, pushing species extinction rates beyond the natural threshold

    • Scientists believe this boundary has already been crossed

    • This means that species extinctions are happening at a significantly faster rate than in the past

  • Species extinction is occurring 100 to 1000 times faster than the background extinction rate

    • Often called the sixth mass extinction, and is driven by human activities such as deforestation, pollution, climate change, and habitat destruction

Line graph showing cumulative species extinction percentages from 1500 to 2018, highlighting a rise post-1790 Industrial Revolution. Legends indicate animal groups.
Vertebrate species extinction rates since 1500
  • When species are lost, it doesn’t just affect individual ecosystems

    • It can also destabilise the whole Earth system, leading to widespread changes that affect the climate, air, water, and food resources

Tipping points in the Earth system

  • Tipping points are critical thresholds where small changes in the environment can lead to drastic and irreversible consequences

    • The loss of key species or ecosystems can create feedback loops that push the Earth system into a new, less stable state

  • If the loss of biodiversity continues, it could lead to widespread ecosystem collapse

    • For example, the disappearance of pollinators like bees could disrupt global food production

      • This will also impact wild flower populations globally

    • Forest degradation can reduce carbon storage, accelerating climate change by releasing more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere

      • Large-scale deforestation could push the Amazon past a tipping point where it no longer functions as a rainforest

    • The loss of phytoplankton due to warming oceans and ocean acidification could lead to a major disruption of the marine food chain

      • This could eventually lead to collapse in marine biodiversity and significantly impact the ocean's ability to sequester carbon, affecting global climate systems

    • Climate change is causing the melting of Arctic sea ice

      • This loss of habitat is threatening species like polar bears

      • The resulting sea-level rise is also leading to the destruction of previously biodiverse coastal habitats

      • The loss of ice reduces Earth's ability to reflect sunlight, causing even more heat to be absorbed

  • There is concern that the loss of species and ecosystems could reach a point where the entire Earth system begins to change in unpredictable ways, possibly affecting many factors, including:

    • Climate stability

    • Food security

    • Freshwater availability

Ecosystem services

  • Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans receive from nature, including clean air, water, food, and climate regulation

    • The loss of biosphere integrity threatens these services, making it harder for ecosystems to provide essential resources for expanding human populations

Examiner Tips and Tricks

Try to memorise one or two clear examples of how biosphere integrity is being steadily eroded and how this could have significant knock-on effects (e.g. how loss of the Amazon rainforest or Arctic sea ice will have further negative consequences for climate and biodiversity).

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Alistair Marjot

Author: Alistair Marjot

Expertise: Biology & Environmental Systems and Societies

Alistair graduated from Oxford University with a degree in Biological Sciences. He has taught GCSE/IGCSE Biology, as well as Biology and Environmental Systems & Societies for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. While teaching in Oxford, Alistair completed his MA Education as Head of Department for Environmental Systems & Societies. Alistair has continued to pursue his interests in ecology and environmental science, recently gaining an MSc in Wildlife Biology & Conservation with Edinburgh Napier University.

Bridgette Barrett

Author: Bridgette Barrett

Expertise: Geography Lead

After graduating with a degree in Geography, Bridgette completed a PGCE over 25 years ago. She later gained an MA Learning, Technology and Education from the University of Nottingham focussing on online learning. At a time when the study of geography has never been more important, Bridgette is passionate about creating content which supports students in achieving their potential in geography and builds their confidence.