ESS topic 5 examines the soil system as the foundation of terrestrial ecosystems and how people affect those systems. In particular, we look at the productivity and sustainability of large-scale commercial farming systems and small-scale agriculture.
You can find resources for each subtopic by following the links below.
5.1 Soil
- How do soils play a role in sustaining natural systems?
- How are human activities affecting the stability of soil systems?
5.2 Agriculture and food
- To what extent can the production of food be considered sustainable?
Topic 5 Land Reading List
The following books are all worthy of a deeper dive into the issues around farming, soil health, and human societies.
Dirt: The Erosion of Civilizations – David Montgomery (2007) In the first of three David Montgomery books on this list, he traces how soil degradation has caused the collapse of past societies. It’s directly relevant to Topic 5 on soil and land use.
Growing a Revolution – David Montgomery (2017) Montgomery is probably the most prolific modern author about soil health and agriculture. In this book, he explores regenerative agriculture practices that restore soil health and connect to sustainable land management.
The Hidden Half of Nature – David Montgomery & Anne Biklé (2016) link soil microbial communities to human and ecosystem health. It’s a story of soil biodiversity, and it supports understanding of nutrient cycles, too.
ReGen: A New Future for Farming, Food, and Health – David R. Montgomery (2026) This book is the latest in Montgomery’s series about soils, agriculture, and global food security. I’ll let you know how it is once it’s been released.
Entangled Life – Merlin Sheldrake (2020) Examines the world of fungi and how they shape ecosystems; relevant to decomposition, nutrient cycling, soils, and symbiotic relationships. This book is also great for ESS topic 2 Ecology.
Dirt to Soil – Gabe Brown (2018) This book is a farmer’s account of rebuilding degraded soil through regenerative practices. It makes for an accessible case study about sustainable and regenerative agriculture.
The Omnivore’s Dilemma – Michael Pollan (2006) I love Michael Pollan because his succinct and poetic writing style makes science accessible to a lot of non-scientists. In The Omnivore’s Dilemma, he traces four meals to their ecological origins. This is a good read to explore industrial agriculture, food systems, and environmental impacts of the food we grow and eat. There’s also a Young Readers Edition that’s a good fit for middle school students and English Language Learners.
Connections to Other IB ESS Topics
The central concepts of systems (1.2) and sustainability (1.3) are fundamental to understanding topic 5 Land. Farming and agricultural systems also clearly connect with topic 8.1 about human populations. There are also strong links to HL.b Environmental economics, and the HL.c lens of Environmental ethics is directly relevant to food choices as well.
- Foundations: perspectives, systems, and sustainability
- Ecology: how ecosystems function
- Biodiversity and conservation: evolution, threats, conservation measures
- Water: systems, access, aquatic food production, and water pollution
- Land: soil, agriculture, forestry (this topic)
- Atmosphere and climate change: causes, mitigation, adaptation
- Natural resources: use, choices, impact, waste
- Human populations & urban systems: population dynamics, urban systems, urban planning, and air pollution
- Higher Level ESS:
- HL.a Environmental law: rules for resource use, sustainability and justice
- HL.b Environmental economics: ecological economics, perspectives and sustainability
- HL.c Environmental ethics: moral responsibility toward the environment
Happy learning!
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