Describe two characteristics of natural levées.

Define the term wetlands.

Explain two reasons why some wetlands are protected.

“Multi-purpose schemes result in more benefits than problems.” Discuss this statement, referring to both physical and human impacts.

• Raised bank [1 mark] above the flood plain [1 mark]
• Parallel to river channel [1 mark] so “fossil” levées may show former river channel [1 mark]
• Composed of alluvium [1 mark] showing annual/periodic accumulation [1 mark]
• Sorting/grading of material [1 mark] coarse material forms the levée with fine material further from river [1 mark]
• Asymmetrical cross-section [1 mark], steeper facing the river channel [1 mark].

Areas that are regularly saturated [1 mark] for a variety of reasons, due to groundwater or surface water (including freshwater marshes, swamps and bogs) [1 mark].

• Source of freshwater
• Maintain water quality
• Biodiversity source (niches)
• Natural flood defence
• Tourist resource/recreation
• Food/aquaculture
• Expect other suggestions.

In each case, award [1 mark] for identifying the reason for protection and [1 mark] for further development or exemplification.

Multi-purpose scheme (MPS) should be named and located. Dams and reservoirs likely to be included, built for a range of purposes eg water supply, electricity, irrigation. MPSs may also incorporate navigation, recreation, climate regulation or may have other purposes. However, solutions may not always have been fully realized in practice ie problems only partially solved.

Physical and human problems often associated with MPSs include: forced migration, loss of farmland and historic features/settlements, transport interruption, biodiversity loss, increased siltation, changing river load downstream (and water temperature change with ecosystem impacts), increased evaporation, seismic activity.

To access band D, some benefits and/or problems associated with a MPS should be described. For bands E and F, discussion is provided or a conclusion arrived at.

Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.

There was a poor understanding of the characteristics of levées.

Wetlands were generally well understood, together with the reasons for their protection.

Wetlands were generally well understood, together with the reasons for their protection.

There were some good responses to multi-purpose schemes, their benefits and problems, and some effective use of case studies. Again, the weaker candidates wrote all they knew about a particular scheme, such as the Three Gorges Dam, with limited reference to the question.