Identify the vegetation types found at A and B.

Using the map extract and key, suggest two reasons why the area shown could be considered an extreme environment.

Briefly explain two weathering processes likely to operate in area C on the map.

For one named type of extreme environment, examine the impacts of tourism on the natural environment.

A (Dega-Adi 9852) – Scrub.
B (Goro Faki 9646) – Scattered trees.

Likely reasons include the lava flows, the lack of settlement could be used as a surrogate for extreme conditions, seasonal rivers, disappearing streams, scattered trees, waterholes. Many of these suggest a seasonally wet-dry climate. Award [1 mark] for each valid reason and an additional [1 mark] for the development of a factor in a way that is clearly linked with the inaccessible/inhospitable nature of extreme environments.

Possibilities include exfoliation, granular and block disintegration, freeze-thaw, salt crystal growth, carbonation, oxidation, hydrolysis. Do not credit erosion processes such as sand abrasion. Award [1 mark] for each process identified and a further [1 mark] for the brief explanation offered.

The impacts on the natural environment include mass movement, erosion, land degradation, hazards, aesthetic changes, water shortages (and salinization), waste, introduction of exotic species, habitat removal. These can be positive/negative,
short-term/long-term, intentional or unintentional.

Responses which deal with the human environment only cannot achieve above band C. To access band D, a named and located extreme environment should be addressed and candidates must examine the environmental impacts of tourism.

To access bands E and F, a variety of impacts should be examined.

Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.

Most candidates were able to correctly identify the two vegetation types, but many found it difficult to use map evidence to suggest why the area might be an extreme environment.

This was poorly answered, with many confusing processes of weathering and erosion.

This proved difficult for many candidates. Detailed knowledge of extreme environments was lacking, with some confusion between the Arctic and Antarctica. Many considered human impacts, rather than focussing on the natural environment. Some answers were not on extreme environments, for example the tropical rainforest.