IB ESS SL study guide
IB ESS SL · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
IB Environmental Systems and Societies Standard Level (ESS SL) is a transdisciplinary DP course that pairs natural-science content with social and economic analysis, so candidates learn to treat environmental issues as systems problems rather than isolated facts. It suits students who want a science-flavoured subject without committing to a single laboratory science, and who are willing to argue from evidence in writing. The IB ESS SL study guide has 9 sections and about 2,864 words.
01Foundations of environmental systems and societies
Domain 1 examines how environmental systems are modelled and how societies value them. The exam tests systems diagrams, feedback, resilience, sustainability and environmental value systems (EVS), often through short data-response items and a case study.
307 words, about 2 min02Ecosystems and ecology
Domain 2 tests ecology as a quantitative and conceptual toolkit: energy flow, nutrient cycling, population dynamics, succession and limiting factors. Expect calculations of productivity and efficiency and interpretation of pyramids.
306 words, about 2 min03Biodiversity and conservation
Domain 3 tests biodiversity at genetic, species and habitat levels, its measurement, threats and conservation. Questions often require Simpson's index, evaluation of conservation strategies and analysis of human impacts.
292 words, about 1 min04Water and aquatic food production systems and societies
Domain 4 covers the hydrological cycle, water security and aquatic food production. The exam tests storages and flows, scarcity, pollution, fisheries and aquaculture, often with data on water footprints or sustainable yield.
323 words, about 2 min05Soil systems
Domain 5 focuses on soil as a dynamic system: formation, texture, structure, fertility, erosion and management. The exam tests soil profiles, particle-size effects, cation exchange, nutrient cycling and conservation.
332 words, about 2 min06Terrestrial food production systems and societies
Domain 6 examines terrestrial food production systems and their social and environmental dimensions: food security, farming methods, inputs, yields, waste and dietary change. The exam asks you to evaluate trade-offs, not just list impacts.
333 words, about 2 min07Atmospheric systems and societies
Domain 7 covers atmospheric structure and composition, energy balance, circulation, air pollution and stratospheric ozone. The exam tests albedo, the greenhouse effect, smog, acid deposition and ozone depletion.
341 words, about 2 min08Climate change and energy production
Domain 8 tests climate change evidence, impacts, mitigation and adaptation, and energy production choices. Expect calculations of emissions and evaluation of renewables, nuclear and fossil fuels.
304 words, about 2 min09Human systems and resource use
Domain 9 examines population, consumption, resource use, waste and sustainability. The exam tests demographic transition, ecological footprints, IPAT, waste hierarchies and indicators of development.
326 words, about 2 min