Examine the opportunities and challenges associated with tourism in hot, arid environments.

Examine possible ways of managing the impacts of global climate change on local populations in hot, arid environments.

Refer to Paper 1 markbands (available under the "Your tests" tab > supplemental materials).

The focus of the response should be on hot, arid environments and the opportunities and challenges they pose for tourism. The opportunities and challenges are environmental, economic and social, and involve a variety of local and global stakeholders.

Possible applied themes (AO2) demonstrating knowledge and understanding (AO1):

• Opportunities for tourism include physical characteristics of the landscape and environment that give rise to a variety of different tourist activities and types of recreation.
• Other opportunities include economic gains (multiplier effects), employment and protection of fragile areas.
• Challenges include:
  
  • Environmental:

- pressures on local resources, especially water resources and groundwater. 
- possible destruction of fragile habitats ; land degradation.
- pollution and waste disposal.

• • Economic: land ownership and where the benefits go – local versus international stakeholders.
  • Social: conflicts between locals and tourists and management of sites of cultural and religious significance.

Good answers may be well structured (AO4) and may additionally offer a critical evaluation (AO3) that examines the variety of environmental, economic and social opportunities and challenges in different places and scales, and in varying different contexts. They may also examine the varying perspectives of different stakeholders.

For 5–6 marks, expect some weakly evidenced outlining of opportunities and/or challenges.

For 7–8 marks, expect a structured account that includes:

• either evidenced explanation of a variety of opportunities and challenges (do not expect balance)
• or a discursive conclusion (or ongoing evaluation) grounded in geographical concepts and/or perspectives.

For 9–10 marks, expect both of these traits.

A response that omits challenges or opportunities may score up to 7 marks if the evaluation is done well.

Refer to Paper 1 markbands (available under the "Your tests" tab > supplemental materials).

There is much concern regarding the possible impacts of climate change on local inhabitants of extreme environments. While the nature and severity of climate change might be debated, it is acknowledged that local inhabitants will be especially vulnerable. There has been relatively little agreement regarding how these impacts might be managed.

Possible applied themes (AO2) demonstrating knowledge and understanding (AO1):

• Likely impacts of climate change in hot, arid areas, including increasing rainfall variability, soil erosion and desertification.
• Threats to water supply, including groundwater and irrigation.
• Potential loss of grazing land and decline of fuelwood resources.
• Threats to agriculture and effects on food systems; crop failures; increasing food shortages.
• Rural–urban migration by local populations.
• Possible management strategies might include:
  • Management of impacts will involve local, national and international stakeholders; possible national development plans.
  • Possible adaptations might include: sustainable irrigation, small-scale water management systems; soil conservation measures; desert “greening”.
  • Agricultural research – drought-tolerant plants and animals.
  • Role of NGOs/international aid.

Good answers may be well structured (AO4) and may additionally offer a critical evaluation (AO3) in a way that examines the varied effects of climate change on local populations together with possible adaptation and management strategies. Another approach might be to compare places and examine the varying strategies for management at different scales or economic contexts (high income versus low income).

For 5–6 marks, expect some weakly evidenced outlining of the impacts of climate change on local peoples.

For 7–8 marks, expect a structured account that includes:

• either evidenced explanation of impacts of climate change on local people and a variety of possible management strategies
• or a discursive conclusion (or ongoing evaluation) grounded in geographical concepts and/or perspectives.

For 9–10 marks, expect both of these traits.