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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.