Download Mark scheme for the above questions

Define the term ‘biodiversity’ and explain how human activity can influence it. (8
marks)
The UN Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, in 1992, defined ‘biodiversity’ as ‘the variability
amongst living organisms from all sources including terrestrial, marine and other aquatic
systems, and the ecological complexes of which they are part: this includes diversity within
species, between species and of ecosystems’. Biodiversity can also be recognised at three
different levels, which are interlinked: • genetic diversity • species diversity • ecosystem
diversity. Humans can influence it by: • protecting the best sites for wildlife - e.g. 10% of the
UK has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSI) or Area of Special
Scientific Interest (ASSI) • targeting action on priority species and habitats - in 2007 the UK
Biodiversity Partnership published a list of 1149 priority species and 65 habitats with a focus
on their conservation over the next decade. The Millennium Seed Bank Project sought to
conserve species • modifying genetic diversity – e.g. GM crops and the Green Revolution •
the destruction of rare habitats and the over-exploitation of species (whales) • embedding
proper consideration of biodiversity and ecosystem services in all sections of policy and
decision-making, e.g. support for Kew Gardens • engaging and educating people to
encourage behaviour change in relation to environmental issues – candidates may refer to
local initiatives (e.g. Breathing Spaces). Negatively, some environmental groups are warning
that if current global consumption levels continue, they could result in a large scale
ecosystem collapse by 2050. They say that the natural world is being degraded at an
unprecedented rate. There are several areas where biodiversity is under pressure from human
activities. Mark scheme Level 1 (1-4 marks) (mid-point 3) Simplistic statements regarding
the concept which are generic, and noncontextual. Limited specific detail or depth provided
on influence of human activity. Level 2 (5-8 marks) (mid-point 6) Specific or sophisticated
statements regarding the concept and human influences which can be clearly attributed to
named areas and/or contexts. There is some evidence of depth of understanding.
Discuss the potential for sustainability in relation to development issues in one tropical
biome that you have studied. (10 marks)
A clear understanding of the terms ‘development’ and ‘sustainability’ (and possibly
biodiversity) is crucial here, and of how they apply in the chosen biome. Examples of where
development is taking place should be referred to, together with comments on how
sustainability is being influenced.
How successful can the management of fragile environments be, given the constant and
increasing demand for their exploitation? (40 marks)
Appropriate content for a response to this question might include reference to the following: •
An understanding that a fragile environment is one which is easily disturbed and that lacks
resilience to change • A clear understanding of each of the concepts of management and
exploitation • An understanding that many fragile environments can cross national
boundaries, creating international management and exploitation challenges • An
understanding of the variety of pressures facing fragile environments • Fragile environments
in developing countries may pose further management problems due to levels of finance,
technical expertise, etc • Human activity, either management or exploitation have both
positive and negative consequences • References to examples of management
schemes/exploitation activities at varying levels of development. Synopticity is therefore
achieved by: • Evidence in the breadth/depth of case-study material • Detailed critical
understanding of the underlying problems faced when trying to manage fragile environments
in some more remote/fragmented locations • Recognising the varying capacity to manage
fragile environments with a comparison made between areas along the development
continuum • Recognition of variation in the attitudes of different groups of people in different
parts of the world, with varying economic and political systems and their attitude towards the
management of fragile environments and/or their exploitation. This question clearly requires
an overall assessment/evaluation and the response should try to come to a view with regard to
the question. Any conclusion is valid and can be credited as long as it is measured and
reasonable, and related to the content of the answer.
Evaluate the concept of biodiversity. Suggest reasons why it is an issue about which
people should be concerned. (10 marks)
Biodiversity refers to the range of wild and cultivated species in a biome. Such diversity has
recently become a major environmental issue because environments are being degraded at an
accelerating rate and much diversity is being lost through the destruction of natural habitats.
In ecosystems, biodiversity is inversely related to the number and severity of limiting factors
in the physical environment. Thus cold and / or arid environments (for example, tundra and
hot deserts) have low biodiversity, whilst warm and moist environments (for example,
tropical rainforests have high biodiversity) The impact of human activity on ecosystems is
normally to reduce biodiversity. This may be caused by deliberate action (for example,
farmers reduce biodiversity by removing species that compete with crops and domestic
livestock) or by the indirect destruction of habitats.
Increasingly developing countries with tropical rainforests are asserting sovereignty over the
biodiversity of their natural resources. Many biotechnological and pharmaceutical companies
want to use the genes of plants and organisms to derive improved plants, foods and drugs.
Several Central American countries (for example, Belize, El Salvador and Guatemala) have
joined together to negotiate with such firms. They have seen that Madagascar, the home of
the periwinkle, has received no financial benefit from the development of the cancer drug,
Vincristine, from that plant.
Costa Rica is thought to be the country with the highest levels of biodiversity. It has the most
diverse set of climates in the world. It contains between 5 and 7% of the world’s known plant
and insect species. One estimate suggests that if it were to receive 2% of the royalties from
sales of 20 products made from its resources, the country would gain more income than from
its current main exports of coffee and bananas.
Mark scheme
Level 1 (1 – 3 marks) Mid point 2
Simple statements of concept, or simple statements of concern only. No depth of discussion.
Level 2 (4 – 8 marks) Mid point 6
Detailed statements of concept and/or concern. Better responses may discuss evidence to
support their argument.
Level 3 ( 9 – 10 marks)
A full evaluation of the concept, with a balanced view on its relative importance.
“Conservation and exploitation are irreconcilable goals in the management of fragile
environments.” With reference to examples, discuss the extent to which you agree that
this statement is true. (40 marks)
Appropriate content for a response to this question should include:
• a description of at least one example of an attempt at conservation; when it has occurred
and where.
• details of the impact of the impact that the conservation attempt has had on the area and
on any attempts at exploitation
• details of how groups have responded to attempts at conservation
Synopticity emerges with the following:
• evidence in the breadth/depth of case-study material
• detailed critical understanding of the impact of at least one attempt at conservation
• detailed critical understanding of at least one response to the attempt at conservation
• recognition that the responses could be either predictive, reactive, supportive or
antipathetic
• awareness of the interrelationships between location, the ecosystem and conservation and
exploitation. Certain attempts at conservation are better in some areas than others depending
on the ecology and local economy.
This question requires a discursive approach and the response should come to a view. Any
conclusion is creditable as long as it is reasonable and related to the preceding content and
argument.
The question will be marked, as are all the essays, using the essay marking criteria as given in
the section on Expert’s tips.