Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2024
First exams 2026
Land Use & Agricultural Systems (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS))
Revision Note
Written by: Alistair Marjot
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Land Use
Land as a finite resource
Land is limited and cannot be expanded (i.e. it is a finite resource)
Efficient land use is crucial to meeting growing food requirements
About 70% of ice-free land is used for agriculture and forestry
Agricultural land is used to grow crops (arable) and raise livestock
As the human population grows, the demand for food increases
This puts pressure on available land for food production
Urbanisation leads to the conversion of agricultural land into urban areas
This further reduces the availability of land for food production per capita
Agricultural land use
Not all land is suitable for crop production
land must be fertile, flat, and have adequate water supply
Unsuitable land for crops:
Steep slopes:
Risk of erosion
It is difficult to use machinery
Nutrient-poor soils:
Cannot support crop growth without significant fertilisation
These lands are often used for livestock production instead
For example, in the UK, hilly areas like Eryri (Snowdonia, Wales) and the Scottish Highlands are used for sheep grazing due to unsuitable conditions for arable farming
Vulnerability of marginalised groups
Marginalised groups:
These include:
Indigenous peoples
Low socio-economic status groups
Women farmers
People in low-income countries
Often have limited access to land and resources
Impact of land-use decisions:
Land-use policies can increase inequalities
Marginalised groups are more vulnerable to changes and restrictions
For example, in India, many Dalits (members of a lower caste) face significant barriers to land ownership and agricultural resources
This is limiting their ability to improve their economic status and sustain their livelihoods
Indigenous peoples:
Indigenous groups often depend on land for their livelihoods
Indigenous land rights are often ignored in favour of large-scale agricultural projects
For example, the Maasai in Kenya and Tanzania have faced land encroachment
This is due to expanding agriculture and tourism projects
This is threatening their traditional way of life
Other examples of land-use impacts on marginalised groups
Deforestation in the Amazon:
Driven by agricultural expansion
It affects Indigenous tribes like the Yanomami
Leads to loss of biodiversity and traditional lands
Land grabs in Africa:
Foreign investors acquire large areas of land for industrial-scale agriculture
Displaces local farmers and communities
Impacts their food security
Urban sprawl in China:
Rapid urbanisation consumes agricultural land
Affects rural communities' access to arable land
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Make sure you know the difference between agricultural land and arable land
Agricultural land is used for all types of farming, including both crops and livestock. It includes pastures, orchards, and vineyards.
Arable land is specifically used for growing food crops. It requires fertile soil and suitable conditions for planting.
Key point: all arable land is agricultural land, but not all agricultural land is arable.
Agricultural Systems
Variability in agricultural systems
Global variation:
Agriculture systems vary globally due to differences in soil and climate
Soils in different biomes support different crop types and productivity levels
Soil and climate influence:
Tropical soils may be nutrient-poor, affecting crop choices
This limits the types of crops that can be grown successfully without heavy fertilisation
For example, in Brazil, nutrient-poor tropical soils require heavy fertilisation for crops like soybeans
Temperate climates with fertile soils can support diverse crops
For example, in the UK, temperate climates support a variety of crops like wheat and barley
Classification of agricultural systems
Agricultural systems can be classified in a number of ways, including:
Outputs from the farm system:
Arable farming: growing crops (e.g., wheat, rice)
Pastoral/livestock farming: raising animals (e.g., cattle, sheep)
Mixed farming: combining crops and livestock
Monoculture: growing a single type of crop
Diverse farming: growing multiple types of crops
Reasons for farming:
Commercial farming: producing food for sale
Subsistence farming: producing food for the farmer's own use
Sedentary farming: farmers stay in one place
Nomadic farming: farmers move with their livestock
Types of inputs required:
Intensive farming:
High inputs of labour, capital and technology
E.g. dairy farming in the Netherlands
Extensive farming:
Low input per unit area
E.g. sheep farming in Australia
Irrigated farming:
Requires artificial water supply
E.g. Central Valley, California: large-scale irrigation systems support the cultivation of crops such as almonds, grapes and tomatoes in this semi-arid region
Rain-fed farming:
Relies on natural rainfall
E.g. wheat farming in Canada
Soil-based farming:
Traditional farming in soil
E.g. vegetable farms in the UK
Hydroponic farming:
Growing plants without soil, using nutrient solutions
E.g. hydroponic lettuce farms or vertical farms in urban areas
Organic farming:
Avoids synthetic chemicals
E.g. organic tea plantations in India: many use natural fertilisers, compost and biological pest control methods to maintain soil fertility and produce high-quality tea without synthetic pesticides or herbicides
Inorganic farming:
Uses synthetic chemicals and fertilisers
E.g. large-scale corn farms in the US
Implications of agricultural systems
Economic sustainability:
Varies with farming type and market access
Monoculture can be profitable but risky due to crop failure, e.g. due to disease
Diversified farming reduces risk and can be more economically sustainable
Social sustainability:
Agricultural systems affect community stability and employment in different ways
Subsistence farming supports local communities but can limit economic growth
Commercial farming can create jobs but may displace small farmers
Environmental sustainability:
Intensive farming can lead to soil degradation and pollution
Organic farming promotes biodiversity and soil health
Extensive farming generally has a lower environmental impact
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Make sure you are familiar with the different ways to classify agricultural systems (outputs, reasons and inputs). You need to understand and be able to define agricultural terms like monoculture, subsistence, intensive and extensive farming.
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