Examine possible ways of managing the causes and consequences of desertification.

Examine how competition over resources in one or more extreme environments has led to tension among stakeholders.

Marks should be allocated according to the Paper 1 markbands (available under the "Your tests" tab > supplemental materials).

Desertification is a major problem in many arid and semi-arid regions, resulting in soil degradation, salinization, loss of vegetative cover, crop failure and threat to water supplies. Addressing desertification is critical in the eradication of poverty in vulnerable human populations and ensuring environmental sustainability. Management strategies should be implemented at the local and global scales, with the active engagement of stakeholders and local communities.

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

• The causes and consequences of desertification.
• The importance of local, national and global strategies, and the need to involve local communities.
• Integrated land and water management to protect soils from degradation and salinization; countering erosion through terracing and other measures.
• Protecting vegetative cover as a major instrument for soil conservation against wind and water erosion; planting trees.
• Applying a combination of traditional practices with locally adapted land use techniques.
• Introduction of drought-resistant crops and animal husbandry.

Good answers may be well structured (AO4) and may additionally offer a critical evaluation (AO3) that examines the challenges of desertification in different places and scales. They might consider whether one way is easier than the other. Another approach might be to look at different scales of desertification –the causes might be global warming, but the consequences are felt locally, at a different scale.

For 5–6 marks, expect some weakly evidenced outlining of some causes and/or consequences of desertification.

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

• either an evidenced explanation of different management strategies to combat the causes and consequences (do not expect balance) of desertification
• or a discursive conclusion (or ongoing evaluation) grounded in geographical concepts and/or perspectives.

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

Marks should be allocated according to the Paper 1 markbands (available under the "Your tests" tab > supplemental materials).

Both arid and cold extreme environments possess considerable and increasingly valuable natural resources. These include minerals, freshwater and scenic resources. Competition over the use of these resources has resulted in tensions and conflicts between different stakeholders, especially between local people and external powers.

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

• The issues may be discussed in relation to one or more extreme environments.
• Conflicts/tensions may be caused by increased demand for resources, such as minerals, land and freshwater, and increased pressures from tourism.
• Stakeholders occur at different scales, including local people/indigenous groups, governments, TNCs, tourists, environmentalists/conservation.
• The relative power of these stakeholders also varies with time and place.

Good answers may be well structured (AO4) and may additionally offer a critical evaluation (AO3) that examines the the conflict between identified stakeholders, their relative power, and the scale of the conflict. Another approach might be to reflect critically on the degree of tension and possible conflict.

For 5–6 marks, expect some weakly evidenced outlining of stakeholder tensions in an extreme environment.

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

• either an evidenced explanation of how competition for resources has resulted in stakeholder tensions/conflict in one or more extreme environments
• or a discursive conclusion (or ongoing evaluation) grounded in geographical concepts and/or perspectives.

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

Desertification causes and consequences were well understood although at times more was needed on managing the causes rather than just the consequences.

This was generally well answered with clear case studies and links to different stakeholders, often at different scales.