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NotesESS HLTopic 5.2
Unit 5 · Land · Topic 5.2

IB ESS HL — Agriculture and food

HL Topic 5.2 extends agricultural sustainability analysis with detailed evaluation of farming system productivity, environmental footprint calculations, and deeper assessment of the trade-offs between food security and environmental conservation at local and global scales.

5.2 FlashcardsExam technique guidePractice questions

Key concepts in Agriculture and food

Key Idea: Topic 5.2 explores **how humans produce food on land**, the trade-offs of intensive vs extensive farming, the environmental impacts of agriculture, how diets affect sustainability, and strategies for **sustainable agriculture + soil conservation**.

🚜 Agriculture as a system


⚖️ Intensive vs extensive

Intensive: High yield per area. High inputs (fertilizer, pesticides, irrigation, tech). Often higher pollution per hectare.

Extensive: Low yield per area. Low inputs, large land area. Risk: habitat loss from land expansion + overgrazing.

Use the debate: **land sparing vs land sharing** (depends on goals + context).

🌍 Environmental impacts of agriculture


🥗 Food choices + diets


✅ Sustainable agriculture + soil conservation


✅ Exam Checklist

What you'll learn in Topic 5.2

  • 5.2.1 Terrestrial food production systems
  • 5.2.2 Intensive vs extensive agriculture
  • 5.2.3 Environmental impacts of agriculture
  • 5.2.4 Food choices and diets
  • 5.2.5 Sustainable agriculture
  • 5.2.6 Soil conservation methods

Exam relevance

At Higher Level, ESS includes an extended essay component and deeper analytical questioning. Expect longer data-response questions and more complex case study scenarios in both Paper 1 and Paper 2.

Suggested study order: Read the notes for each sub-topic below → test yourself with flashcards → attempt practice questions → review exam technique.

Study resources — 5.2 Agriculture and food

5.2.1

Terrestrial food production systems

NotesFlashcards
5.2.2

Intensive vs extensive agriculture

NotesFlashcards
5.2.3

Environmental impacts of agriculture

NotesFlashcards
5.2.4

Food choices and diets

NotesFlashcards
5.2.5

Sustainable agriculture

NotesFlashcards
5.2.6

Soil conservation methods

NotesFlashcards

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Topic 5.2 Agriculture and food forms a core part of Unit 5: Land in IB ESS HL. Mastering these concepts will strengthen your understanding of connected topics across the syllabus and prepare you for exam questions that require analysis, evaluation, and real-world application.

Frequently asked questions

What does Topic 5.2 Agriculture and food cover in IB ESS?
Topic 5.2 covers agriculture and food as part of the IB ESS syllabus. Students learn key concepts, definitions, and real-world examples that are tested in Paper 1 and Paper 2 exams.
How should I revise Agriculture and food for IB ESS exams?
Start by reading the micro-topic notes to understand each concept, then use flashcards to memorise key terms. Practise exam-style questions to apply your knowledge under timed conditions and review the marking criteria.
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