NOTE – dp = developed point.
Topic - climate
For a named developing country, explain why climate change is likely to have a large impact on its
people. (4)
Bangladesh – climate change will lead to increased rainfall in some areas. Warmer climates will melt
glaciers in the Himalayas and this will lead to flooding (1). Flooding will affect people as there are no
river defences and houses may be destroyed (dp). Traditional farming methods will be unsuitable
and won’t be able to cope with the changing climate’s effects upon their crops (1). This will lead to
reduced crops and therefore less profit for people (dp).
Two other impacts are no money to import food if crops failed (1) and lack of money available for
Government to prepare for future change and therefore the impact on people (1).
Explain the possible economic impacts of climate change on a named country. (4)
The UK will have many economic impacts. The first impact is that the ski industry in Scotland will
collapse as there will be a lot less snow (1). This will affect the Government as less money will be
made in Scotland from this vital industry (dp). Another impact is new sea defences will need to be
built to deal with flooding (1). This will cost the Government money (dp).
Two others include higher insurance premiums for people (1) and farmers may make more money
by growing new types of crops (1).
Explain how an increase in greenhouse gases can result in climate change. (4)
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The sun’s energy arrives as short-wave radiation
Short-wave rays are able to travel through greenhouse gases.
This energy is reflected off the Earth as long-wave radiation.
Long-wave energy is unable to pass through greenhouse gases and are reflected back to
Earth
Greenhouse gases act like a blanket around the Earth
This trapped heat causes the planet to warm up.
One mark given per bullet point from the choice of those above.
Topic – Battle for the Biosphere
Explain how temperature and precipitation affect the distribution of global
biomes. (4)
Common responses likely to include:
Temperature:
· Temperatures are affected by latitude
· Sunlight arriving at the equator is highly concentrated.
· This concentration of solar energy leads to higher temperatures and a longer growing season.
Precipitation:
· Vegetation growth rates are highest in regions with regular and reliable rainfall.
· Rainfall tends to be highest in coastal regions due to the impact of maritime winds.
· Highland regions also have reliable precipitation due to relief rainfall.
· Low pressure belts also experience heavy rainfall as converging air is forced up.
Balanced response including both precipitation and temperature is needed!
Describe how local factors can affect biomes. (4)
You can either comment on physical factors or human factors.
Human Activities
· Deforestation – Cutting down forests can destroy habitats, affects the hydrological and nutrient
cycles.
· Over-Grazing – soil can become exhausted causing vegetation to die. Exposed surface can be
eroded.
· Unsustainable resource use – e.g. over-fishing could affect food webs affecting the biome.
· Urbanisation – Can remove natural water courses and cover the surface in impermeable materials.
· Pollution – rivers, lakes, soils and the atmosphere can all be polluted. Changing conditions for flora
and fauna.
Physical Factors:
· Altitude – Temperatures fall by approximately half a degree for every 100 metres increase in
altitude. Therefore, mountainous regions on the equator have coniferous forest and tundra.
· Distance from the sea – Seas warm nearby land in the winter and cool them in the summer,
reducing temperature range whilst increasing precipitation.
· Geology – Bedrock can affect vegetation coverage. Permeable rocks reduce the amount of water
available, restricting vegetation growth. E.g. Limestone areas in tropical regions tend to have
deciduous forest.
Choose two that you can develop and then tag two onto the end.
Topic – Water world
Describe the costs and benefits of a named large-scale water management
project. (4)
I will discuss the Aswan Dam in Egypt.
The first cost is that land had to be flooded around the dam to create the reservoir behind it (1).
This meant that people had to be relocated (dp). A benefit of the dam was that it created Hydroelectric power (HEP) (1). This was a benefit to the local people who could have electricity in their
homes (dp).
One other cost is that it would cost a lot of money to maintain the dam, especially in a LEDC (1). One
Other benefit is that it would provide a supply of fresh water in the reservoir behind the dam (1).
Using an example(s), explain why small scale solutions to managing water supplies are often
sustainable. (4)
The Afridev pump is an example of a small scale solution. They are sustainable for several ways:
Firstly, they are cheap to install and maintain (1) so this means they will last into the future as the
poor LEDC communities can afford the upkeep (dp). Secondly, it is a basic type of pump which can
be used by all the community (1) regardless of the level of education of the people living there so
this means everyone will benefit (dp).
Two other reasons are that local people are trained to fix them (1) and the installation of the pump
means there will be clean water, reducing diseases (1).
Using examples, describe how human interference can disrupt water supply. (4)
Deforestation can interfere with water supply (1). Deforestation will increase the amount of
infiltration as there is no interception by the trees anymore (dp). Urbanisation can also interfere
with the water supply (1) as the changing surface (from natural to concrete / tarmac) means there
will be an increase in surface runoff as water can no longer infiltrate (dp).
Two other examples include taking too much water out of lakes as a water supply (1) and overusing
aquifers (Plachimada aquifer and coca-cola) (1).
Topic – Coasts
For a named location, explain the costs and benefits of using hard engineering
techniques to protect a coastline from erosion. (6)
Along the Holderness coast several types of hard engineering techniques have been used to protect
this coastline. Along one part of the coastline longshore drift is moving beach material further up
the coast. Groynes have been put in place to stop this process. The benefit of the groynes is that it
prevents the erosion and ensures that there is still a beach there for tourists. A cost of groynes is
that they can look unsightly and can be expensive to maintain. A sea wall has also been built further
along the coast. This has benefited the area as residents feel confident that their houses and
businesses are unlikely to fall into the sea so has prevented the migration of people out of the area.
Again, however it can be very ugly to look at and may deter tourists from visiting the area as they
may think the coastline has been ruined by this large piece of engineering. A final type of hard
engineering used is rip rap. These large boulders are very effective at reducing the power of the
waves along the coast - as the waves come into contact with the boulders there is a large amount of
friction. This has stopped the bottom of the soft cliffs from being eroded and has stopped the
houses and businesses above (Sue’s farm) from reaching the edge and being at risk of falling off.
However, they are very expensive to build as hundreds if not more large boulders have to be
transported and arranged along the coastline.
For a named location, describe the problems caused by coastal retreat. (6)
The Holderness coast is facing significant problems as a result of coastal retreat. Homes in Cowden
and Barmston have been abandoned due to the crumbling coastline. This has meant that many
people have been left homeless after many years of living in the area. For people who have
remained in the area they face daily challenges as they watch their houses getting closer to the
edges of the cliffs and they are unable to sell as no-one would buy their property. Roads and rail
links have been damaged as a result of coastal retreat too so this has impacted upon the locals as
they are unable to travel easily around the area. This has also affected the tourism industry as
tourists can’t reach certain areas because of the damaged transport links. Some of the beaches are
also at risk from falling rocks and this is a safety issue and has led to a decline in tourists visiting the
more popular beaches.
Explain how physical processes can cause coastal retreat. (6)
Many physical processes cause coastal retreat. The first is erosion from destructive waves which
wear away the bottom of cliffs eventually causing them to collapse. Waves can erode the cliff face
in three ways – (a) Corrasion (Abrasion): by smashing rocks and pebbles into the cliff, (b) hydraulic
Action: the sheer force of the water dislodging and loosening material, and (c) Corrosion (Solution):
Chemicals within the water destabilising the cliff face.
Sub aerial processes such as the wind and rain can also lead to coastal retreat. Strong winds hitting
the tops of cliffs together with intense rainfall destabilising the top of the cliff can lead to mass
movement taking place such as mudslides or rotational slumping.
The distance over which the waves travel (the fetch) can also impact upon coastlines and lead to
coastal retreat. Coasts facing a large ocean can have powerful destructive waves and these
coastlines suffer greatly from increased erosion as mentioned earlier.
Topic – Oceans
Explain how climate change is adding stress to marine ecosystems. (6)
Melting ice sheets in the Arctic and around Greenland will lead to a decrease in ocean temperature.
This could change ocean currents. Some areas of the world will see an increase in ocean
temperature and this will lead to coral bleaching which ultimately will lead to the destruction of the
coral reef. Warmer temperatures in tropical seas will see a decline in phytoplankton which will
affect the whole food web as many creatures; primarily krill rely on this food source. Finally, climate
change will also mean that there will be many storms in areas such as the east coast of Australia and
these will damage the fragile coral reefs lying just below the surface of the water (Great Barrier
Reef).
For a named local-scale marine ecosystem, explain why it is under pressure. (6)
The Firth of Clyde is under pressure. Certain areas of the Firth of Clyde such as Lamlash Bay have
been under great pressure from overfishing. Large numbers of boats fishing for scallops in the bay
have led to a decline in several species in the bay and the delicate food chain in the bay is under
threat. Modern fishing techniques such as bottom trawling have led to the decline of certain fish
population such as cod. Many people previously employed in the fishing industry have had to
change jobs and this has led to high unemployment in the area. Some people have changed jobs to
the tourism industry and this has led to an increase in holidaymakers to the area. Large numbers of
people sailing yachts in the firth of Clyde as a result of the increase in tourism has led to water
pollution and an impact on the natural wildlife in the area as they are disturbed by the boats.
Using examples, describe how marine ecosystems can be managed sustainably. (6)
St Lucia introduced a community-based coastline management programme in 1986. 19 areas
(including reefs and mangroves) were declared Marine Reserve Areas. These areas have been
developed as ecotourism resorts to provide local communities with new employment opportunities
which enhance rather than destroy the coastline.
The EU has introduced a fisheries policy for all its member states in an attempt to revive fish stocks.
Each year a limit is placed on the number of fish from each species that can be caught, this quota is
based on an annual ‘state of stock’ survey. The EU has also designated some regions as no-take
zones for species particularly under threat e.g. North Sea Cod.
In Lamlash bay off the west coast of Scotland no take zone has been created to ensure that the
ecosystem is protected. Lamlash Bay on the Isle of Arran is a Community Marine Conservation Area.
Since 20th September 2008, an area at the north end of the bay has been designated a "No take
zone": An area of the sea and seabed from which no marine life can be removed by any means. This
zone is the first of its kind in Scotland
Using examples, explain how global actions are attempting to create sustainable marine
ecosystems. (6)
The Law of the Sea was established to prevent individual countries from taking more than their fair
share of the ocean’s resources and wealth. The UN backed treaty covers a wide range of issues
including fisheries, navigation, pollution and resource extraction from continental shelves. The law
states which countries have the right to extract / develop marine resources and protects the
traditional concept of ‘freedom of the seas’ for open ocean regions. To protect areas of common
ownership the International Seabed Authority has been establish to safeguard resources and
environments.
The UN Helsinki Convention of 1974 lead to the development of range of programmes aimed at
protected and enhancing marine ecosystems. Laws were ratified to prevent the dumping of pollution
or radioactive waste into the sea. Regional action plans were created to tackle marine black-spots,
such as Mediterranean Sea, leading to multi-national cooperation and joint action.
Global Marine Species Assessment is an internationally financed and managed programme designed
to establish a clearer understanding of the marine ecosystems and wildlife which our oceans
support. It is hoped that this survey will lead to the identification of endangered species and
threatened ecosystems, in turn leading to the creation of marine reserves and possible global parks.
NOTE – You only need one of the above and once you have said what it is explain why it will protect
the ecosystem.
Using one or more examples, explain why local groups often have conflicting
views about the management of marine ecosystems. (6)
In the Firth of Clyde there is conflict between many local groups regarding the marine ecosystem.
Firstly, fishermen may come into conflict with each other. Whilst local fishermen may want to
protect the area they live and therefore use passive fishing methods, fishermen from other areas
may want to use active methods, e.g. bottom trawling. Fishermen generally will come into conflict
with tourists. Many tourists visiting this area will recognise its natural beauty and will want it to be
protected so will want there to be no fishing taking place. This will anger the fishermen who
obviously have to make a living. Conservationists whose main interest is protecting the area will be
against both the fishermen and the tourists as they will see them both as having a direct impact
upon the marine ecosystem – the fishermen overfishing and the tourists for polluting the waters in
their sailing yachts, especially in the picturesque Lamlash Bay.