Solved: **Figure 8(c): Conversion to cropland from other land uses in** **north-eastern... [IB Environmental systems and societies (ESS) (New Syllabus)]

**Figure 8(c): Conversion to cropland from other land uses in**

Question

SLPaper 1

Figure 8(c): Conversion to cropland from other land uses in
north-eastern Costa Rica (1986–2011)

Explain how the production of cash crops (such as pineapples) may have an environmental impact on soil.

[1]

Verified

Solution

Award 1 mark max for any of the following:

intensive agriculture/monoculture results in soil nutrient depletion/reduction in organic matter;
deforestation for plantations leaves the soil bare contributing to soil erosion;
tillage/ploughing can leave soil prone to erosion;
excessive use of pesticides leading to soil toxification;
use of fertilizers increases soil productivity;

Explain how the production of cash crops (such as pineapples) may have an environmental impact onlakes or rivers.

[1]

Verified

Solution

Award 1 mark max for any of the following:

use of fertilizers/leaching of nutrients can lead to eutrophication/algal blooms;
use of pesticides can lead to contamination of aquatic systems/death of non-target organisms/bioaccumulation;
over-abstraction of water for agriculture use may lead to low water levels (in rivers/lakes adversely affecting fish/aquatic species);
soil erosion into lakes/rivers could increase sedimentation/reduce water clarity;

Note: For credit the cause and effect needs to be linked.

With reference to Figure 8(c), identify where most of the additional land for growing crops came from between 1986 and 2011.

[1]

Verified

Solution

(conversion of) pasture land 1 mark

**Figure 8(c): Conversion to cropland from other land uses in**