Examine the reasons for and against preserving the biodiversity of tropical rainforests.

Responses should demonstrate some understanding of biodiversity and acknowledge that tropical rainforests have immense biodiversity.

Reasons for preserving biodiversity could include:

• ecological/climate value (some plants store more carbon dioxide and emit more oxygen than others)
• role as a carbon reserve and possible contribution to climate change mitigation attempts
• value in terms of gene pool (flora/fauna)
• actual and potential future value for industry/medicine/food
• economic value for ecotourism, and other sustainable uses
• habitat for endangered peoples (and endangered animals/plants).

Reasons against might override the need to preserve biodiversity and could include:

• clearance for timber or other resources
• clearance of land for agriculture (livestock/soya beans), transport, settlement
• most tropical rainforest is in developing countries that need the resources for development
• elimination/reduction of tropical pests and diseases
• the need to defoliate areas during warfare
• the high cost of preserving forests in areas where population is growing and needs resources
• forest area may be reduced or lost in the future anyway due to climate change.

Answers that address only the importance of preserving the rainforest and not the importance of preserving the biodiversity of the rainforest should not progress beyond band C.

At band D, responses should show some understanding of biodiversity and are likely to examine a limited number of reasons, almost entirely for preservation, with limited development.

At band E, responses will be underpinned by an understanding of biodiversity, will examine several reasons and include some consideration of the reasons against preserving biodiversity, possibly with some simplistic evaluation.

At band F expect a more balanced approach using specific detailed knowledge, prior to drawing some evaluative conclusion.

Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.

This was the most popular of the three questions with some very strong responses. There was sound knowledge of the biome and the issues linked to its biodiversity. Many made good use of examples and it was nice to see areas beyond the Amazon being used by some centres such as Borneo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Many of the weaker scripts were characterized by a lack of specific geographical location. The arguments for preserving were generally very well written with sound use of examples effectively linked to biodiversity. Arguments such as medical research, ecotourism, ecological stability, indigenous culture/lifestyle and stewardship were the most common. The arguments against preservation tended to be a little thinner and were mainly associated with the use of the forest as an economic resource, food source, energy alternative with biofuels and area for housing of expanding population. Most common issues were the lack of focus on biodiversity and very vague use of case study material.