Identify and briefly describe two landforms in box X.

Using examples, explain two positive economic impacts that El Niño events can bring.

“Geopolitical conflict is the inevitable outcome of human use of oceans.” Discuss this statement.

Award [1] for each landform identified and [1] for valid description.

Possibilities include:

• transform fault
• rift valley.

For example: Mid ocean ridge [1] is the long linear submarine mountain range [1].

Award [1] for each valid economic impact, and a further [2] for development/exemplification of the impact.

Possibilities include, but are not limited to:

• reduced hurricane activity in the Atlantic so less damage to infrastructure
• Peruvian anchovies migrate south to Chilean waters increasing fishing opportunities
• in some parts of Southern Africa, low rainfall could reduce incidence of malaria, reducing healthcare costs.

For example: El Niño events may lead to an increase of rainfall in normally dry areas [1] in Peru [1], leading to an increase in agricultural yields [1].

Conflict between nations may arise on account of territorial disputes (exclusive economic zones, EEZs) or access to biotic and abiotic resources. Some ocean resources are found in EEZs whereas some are part of the global  commons. In the open ocean, there is no EEZ and so countries are free to utilise resources as best they can, potentially leading to multiple claims.

Ocean resources include oil, gas, gold, manganese, biotic resources and territory (EEZ) and control over shipping routes/transport routes. Some resources have been discovered and exploited; others are still potential resources, such as oil in the Arctic.

However, an alternative view is that ocean resources may be managed in ways avoiding conflict, eg, by the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy, Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, Marine Stewardship Certification, etc.

Good answers may discuss whether the statement applies to all uses or just certain uses. Another approach might be to discuss the importance of the EEZ for sovereign states and the degree to which this may lead to conflict. Another approach might be to discuss the statement in relation to different timescales and the concept of sustainability (conflict may become more likely over time as finite resources become exhausted).

At band D, expect a description of human use of one or more ocean resources by different people/countries.

At band E, expect either a more detailed explanation of how oceans are used by different people/countries and the conflicts that exist or a structured examination of the statement.

At band F, expect both of these elements.

Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.