Examine the major threats to coral reef environments.

Examine why conflicts often develop over the commercial use of coastal margins.

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

Coral reefs play a vital role in physical processes and ecosystems of coastal margins and are an important economic and social resource to coastal communities. Threats to coral reefs include the possible impacts of climate change, and increasing pressure from varying human activities, such as resource exploitation, over-fishing and tourism.

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

• Coral reefs play a vital role in the functioning of coastal processes and ecosystems.
• They are under increasing threat from a variety of natural and human pressures.
• Coral reefs are very diverse ecosystems, and face multiple stresses caused by climate change, including rising sea levels and warmer ocean temperatures.
• Increased acidification of the oceans poses serious threats to the growth of coral reefs, other marine organisms, and the marine food chain.
• Threats from human activity include the impacts of resource exploitation (such as oil), over-fishing, pollution and increasing pressures from tourism.
• These threats may cause severe damage to fragile ecosystems.
• Coastal margins may also become more vulnerable to erosion by wave action associated with tropical storms.

Good answers may be well structured (AO4) and may additionally offer a critical evaluation (AO3) of the statement in a way that examines a variety of threats to processes on coral reefs, and the different perspectives and varying power of stakeholders. Another approach might be to examine the scale of the threats, and how these might vary over time.

For 5–6 marks, expect weakly-evidenced outlining of one or more threats to coral reef environments.

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

• either an evidenced explanation of two or more threats to coral reef environments
• or a discursive conclusion (or ongoing evaluation) grounded in geographical concepts and/or perspectives, examining the different scale of the threats.

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).

Coastal margins are under increasing threat from commercial activities, including the concentration of urban development, tourism and industry. As population and economic activity becomes increasingly concentrated in coastal areas, there is a need to conserve and manage vulnerable landscapes and ecosystems.

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

• Coastal margins under increasing stress from commercial activities such as retailing, industry, fishing, waste disposal and tourism.
• Different stakeholders will have varying, and sometimes conflicting, priorities overdevelopment of coastal margins.
• Strategies for coastal protection from increased erosion and flooding may cause conflict between stakeholders.
• Conservation strategies to protect vulnerable coastal ecosystems may also cause conflict.
• Conflicts between stakeholders may be difficult to resolve: e.g. tourism and commercial development; conservationists; local peoples.

Good answers may be well structured (AO4) and may additionally offer a critical evaluation (AO3) of the statement in a way that examines a variety of conflicts between stakeholders, and the different perspectives and varying power of stakeholders. Another approach might be to examine the scale of the threats, and the outcomes for different stakeholders.

For 5–6 marks, expect weakly-evidenced outlining of at least one conflict developing from commercial use of coastal margins.

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

• either an evidenced explanation of two or more conflicts developing from commercial use of coastal margins
• or a discursive conclusion (or ongoing evaluation) grounded in geographical concepts and/or perspectives, examining the outcomes for stakeholders.

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

There was some good knowledge and understanding shown of the threats to coral reef environments and of the chemical processes involved in ocean acidification. There was the occasional confusion over acidification and rising sea water temperatures. Overall, there was a lack of named examples or case studies to illustrate the points made.

This question tripped some candidates up in the unpacking of the question — it required an emphasis on commercial use of coastal margins and the conflicts that develop. Many candidates were unable to correctly identify and define coastal margins, used inappropriate case studies, and wrote about conflicts of ocean areas and territories.