Evaluate the soil management strategies used by farming systems for soil conservation [9 marks]

Indicative Content	Guidance
Soil conditioners: Use of organic materials / lime as soil conditioners Explanation of how these materials enhance soil structure / fertility Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of soil conditioners Wind reduction techniques: Creation of wind breaks / shelter belts → to minimise soil erosion Discuss how these techniques protect topsoil from wind erosion Analyse the effectiveness and potential drawbacks of wind reduction strategies Cultivation techniques: Use of terracing / contour ploughing / strip cultivation methods Explanation of how these techniques control water runoff / prevent soil erosion Evaluate the benefits and limitations associated with these cultivation strategies Avoidance of marginal lands: Farming systems may avoid the use of marginal lands for cultivation Discuss reasons behind avoiding marginal lands for soil conservation Discuss the appropriateness and challenges of avoiding marginal lands Evaluation / comparison of strategies: Critical assessment of the effectiveness of these strategies in different contexts Emphasis on the need for a combined approach to soil management Importance of considering the appropriateness of each strategy in a diverse range of farming systems	You will always have to answer two 9 mark questions from Section B in your IB ESS SL Paper 2 exam This is a 'level of response' answer. The examiner will award you a combined mark out of 9 for knowledge, application, analysis and evaluation ‘Evaluate’ (for 9 marks) requires: Knowledge of concepts, principles and models Application to the context using relevant and focused examples Analysis showing logical and coherent chains of reasoning of a range of issues Evaluation showing critical thinking linked to the context Depth is more important than breadth It is sensible to discuss two or three main points but to apply, analyse and evaluate them fully For top-level evaluation, informed judgement is required This can be demonstrated in a conclusion that synthesises and weighs up the arguments to form a supported answer to the question
Model Answer
Soil management strategies play a significant role in farming systems, particularly for soil conservation. One widely used strategy in commercial farming systems involves the application of soil conditioners, such as organic materials and lime [K]. These materials contribute to improved soil structure and fertility. Organic materials enhance the soil's water retention capacity and nutrient content, while lime helps in reducing soil acidity [Ap]. However, the use of organic materials may require considerable resources, can be expensive, and an excess of lime can increase soil pH too far, impacting certain crops negatively [An]. Wind reduction techniques, such as wind breaks and shelter belts, represent another group of important soil conservation strategies. These mechanisms shield the topsoil from wind erosion, preventing the loss of fertile layers [K]. Whilst they can be highly effective, these techniques require careful planning and maintenance. For example, wind breaks composed of hedgerows or trees may need to be cared for to ensure they are healthy and have sufficient foliage or density to create a sufficient buffer against wind [Ap]. The establishment and maintenance of wind breaks can therefore demand financial investments, and improper care may diminish their effectiveness over time [An]. Cultivation techniques, often used by smaller-scale farming systems, also play a role in soil conservation efforts. Practices like terracing, contour ploughing, and strip cultivation help control water runoff and minimise soil erosion [K]. Terracing, for example, often used for rural rice production, reduces the speed of water flow, allowing for better absorption and limiting erosion [Ap]. However, these techniques might not be applicable to more industrial scale farming systems and can be very labour-intensive. In large-scale farming, the implementation of these practices may be too challenging to be worth while [An]. In reality, a combination of these strategies is often necessary, which should be tailored to the specific needs of the farming system in question [E]. Commercial industrial food production systems may benefit more from large-scale techniques, whereas subsistence farms may rely on more cost-effective techniques that rely more heavily on manual labour. A holistic approach, considering the advantages and disadvantages of each strategy, is vital. Balancing these strategies within the context of each particular farming system ensures sustainable soil management practices, mitigating the environmental impact of agricultural activities [E].
Commentary
This answer is an example - yours may be different The answer discusses three types of soil management and finishes with a supported final judgement The effectiveness of each management strategy is evaluated in their respective paragraphs The response is annotated to show where the skills of knowledge (K), application (Ap), analysis (An) and evaluation (E) have been demonstrated

Soil Degradation & Conservation (SL IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS))

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