Examine why geographers use a systems approach in the study of drainage basins.

Examine how conflicts between different stakeholders in the management of wetlands might be resolved.

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

Drainage basins operate as open systems, in which inputs, stores, flows and outputs are inter-related. The relationships between these will vary depending on the characteristics of the drainage basin, including geology, slope, shape, and land use, and the nature of the inputs, including type, intensity and variability of precipitation.

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

• Drainage basins function as open systems, in which inputs, stores, flows and outputs are inter-related. The systems approach helps us understand these interrelationships.
• River discharge varies over time within drainage basins, and over space between different drainage basins, which produces knock on effects elsewhere in the system.
• The characteristics of drainage basins, such as geology, slope, vegetation cover and land use will affect flows and stores, which, in turn affect discharge: e.g. permeable rocks and low relief will result in underground flows and stores and a more even discharge.
• Stores may be on the surface, as lakes or wetlands, or underground as aquifers.
• Changes in land use, such as deforestation and urbanization, will affect flows and stores, and in turn affect discharge.
• The systems approach can help planners anticipate flooding and/or shortages.

Good answers may be well structured (AO4) and may additionally offer a critical evaluation (AO3) of the statement in a way that examines the importance of a systems approach in the study of processes within a drainage basin. Another approach might be to examine drainage basins at different time and spatial scales, for example with changes in land use or climate.

For 5–6 marks, expect weakly-evidenced outlining of a systems approach to a drainage basin.

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

• either evidenced explanation of why a systems approach is useful to the study of drainage basins
• 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).

There are growing pressures on wetlands, and it is important that they are managed for a sustainable future. The focus of the response should be on the varied and often conflicting pressures from different stakeholders, and the future possibilities for management.

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

• The importance of wetlands as major ecosystems which form a critical part of the natural environment: diverse ecosystems, flood control, improving water quality, carbon sinks, fertile farmland, recreation and tourism.
• Increasing pressures on wetlands include: water abstraction, land drainage, chemical and physical pollution, eutrophication.
• Different stakeholders at local, national and international scales, who may be in conflict, include: environmentalists, water management organisations, farmers, tourist organisations, local and national governments.
• The purpose of management from different perspectives – e.g. biodiversity, water security, flood control, tourism, climate change.
• Strategies for management of wetlands, including the roles of international (e.g. Ramsar Convention), national and local stakeholders.

Good answers may be well structured (AO4) and may additionally offer a critical evaluation (AO3) of the statement in a way that examines the different perspectives and varying power of stakeholders for the future management possibilities of wetlands. Another approach might be to focus on how conflicts may partly depend on the scale of the issues.

For 5–6 marks, expect weakly-evidenced outlining of at least one conflict and/or how it could be resolved.

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

• either an evidenced explanation of the conflicts between different stakeholders on wetlands including some idea of resolution.
• or a discursive conclusion (or ongoing evaluation) grounded in geographical concepts and/or perspectives, examining future management possibilities.

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

There were few responses to this question, with only limited understanding of the importance of a systems approach in the study of drainage basins. There was, however, some good knowledge of the drainage basin as a system.

There were some very good answers to this question with effective use of examples, and views of different stakeholders. There were some, however, who wrote about dams or even whole rivers / drainage basins and never mentioned wetlands. Weaker candidates wrote descriptive accounts of the different users of wetlands, rather less on management and even fewer about resolution.