The following figure illustrates wetland distribution in the Americas with Ramsar status (of certain pedigrees of importance)
State one factor of agricultural run-off contributing lake and wetland eutrophication.
Nitrates/fertilizers/phosphates/manure
Outline two adverse effects of eutrophication for people.
- Algal blooms/excessive algal growth
1 mark
- Contamination of drinking water supplies health risks
1 mark - Toxins produced by some algal blooms are poisonous to humans/animals
1 mark
Define wetland area
A wetland area is a landscape that is permanently or seasonally saturated with water, creating a distinct ecosystem that supports aquatic plants, diverse wildlife, and unique hydrological conditions. Wetlands include marshes, swamps, bogs, and mangroves, and they play a crucial role in water filtration, flood control, and carbon storage.
- Basic definition stating that wetlands are water-saturated areas.
- Detailed definition, including water saturation, ecosystem function, and examples (e.g., marshes, mangroves).
Describe the pattern of wetland areas shown on the map.
- Describe the overall distribution of wetland areas (clustered, dispersed, linear etc.)
1 mark - Describe the location of wetlands in relation to other features like rivers, lakes, coastlines etc.
1 mark - Note any variations in size/extent of wetland areas across the map
1 mark - Identify any areas with higher/lower concentrations of wetlands
1 mark
“The drainage basin is an open system with inputs, outputs, transfers and stores.” Discuss how this knowledge aids flood prevention strategies.
The drainage basin is the area of land drained by a river and its tributaries, separated from adjacent basins by a watershed. The drainage basin is an open system as it has an input in the form of precipitation and a series of outputs such as evapotranspiration and water returning to the sea. There are stores and transfers facilitating the movement of water.
Flood prevention could be achieved by modifying different stores or parts of the system, eg forestry (interception) or reservoirs (less transfer). Knowledge of saturated soil stores can help with flood prediction though not prevention.
Some candidates may work systematically through each aspect of the drainage basin system, commenting on flood management in each case.
| Marks | Overall Description |
|---|---|
| 0 | The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below. |
| 1-2 | • Response is too brief, lists unconnected information, not focused on question and lacks structure • Very brief or descriptive, listing unconnected comments or irrelevant information • Very general knowledge with large gaps or errors • Examples/case studies absent or only listed • No evidence of analysis • Terminology missing, undefined, irrelevant or incorrect • No evaluation or conclusion expected • Information not grouped logically • Maps/graphs/diagrams absent, irrelevant or unclear |
| 3-4 | • Response is too general, lacks detail, not focused on question and largely unstructured • Very general response • Outlines relevant and irrelevant examples, statistics, facts • Links to question merely listed • Analysis not relevant • Basic terminology used with errors or inconsistently • Irrelevant conclusion • No critical evaluation of evidence • Information not logically grouped • Maps/graphs lack detail or incorrectly interpreted |
| 5-6 | • Response partially addresses question, with narrow argument, unsubstantiated conclusion, and limited evaluation • Describes relevant supporting evidence • Outlines appropriate links to question • Partially addresses question or repeats one point • Relevant terminology used with minor errors • General conclusions, misaligned with evidence • Other perspectives/strengths/weaknesses listed • Some logical grouping but inconsistent • Maps/graphs don't follow conventions |
| 7-8 | • Response addresses whole question, evaluated analysis and relevant but unbalanced conclusion • Describes correct relevant evidence covering all main points • Describes appropriate links • Clear but one-sided analysis • Complex terminology correct but inconsistent • Relevant but unbalanced conclusion • Other perspectives described • Consistent logical grouping • Maps/graphs support analysis |
| 9-10 | • Response is in-depth and question-specific; justified analysis and conclusion through well-developed evaluation • Explains integrated examples, statistics, details • Explains appropriate links • Balanced analysis discussing complexity • Complex terminology used correctly throughout • Balanced conclusion aligned with evidence • Systematic evaluation of perspectives • Discusses strengths/weaknesses • Logically structured • Maps/graphs properly annotated and support argument |
