| Date | May 2018 | Marks available | 3 | Reference code | 18M.1.SL.TZ0.10 |
| Level | Standard Level | Paper | Paper 1 | Time zone | Time zone 0 |
| Command term | Explain | Question number | 10 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
The resource booklet provides information on Madagascar. Use the resource booklet and your own studies to answer the following.
Explain how the protection of forests in Makira National Park may contribute to the conservation of the aquatic environment of MaMaBay.
Markscheme
preserving forests reduces soil erosion / tree roots hold soil / protecting tree canopy reduces impact of rainfall on soil erosion;
forests reduce sedimentation into the bay;
sediment can smother organisms living in the bay;
suspended solids in the bay can reduce light penetration and result in reduction of photosynthesis/loss of plant species;
protection of forest could reduce agricultural activity/urban development that contributes to nutrient pollution/runoff;
run-off/effluents containing nutrients can lead to eutrophication/algal blooms in the bay;
eutrophication/algal blooms could cause anoxic conditions/cause death of fish/reduce biodiversity within the bay;
protection of forest increases carbon sink, which mitigates global warming and reduces warming oceans/ocean acidification which could negatively impact the bay (e.g. loss of coral reefs/loss of fish diversity);
protection of forest increases tourism that generates funds that can be used for conservation of the bay/coast;
protection of forest prevents development of industry that would otherwise release effluents into the bay.
Examiners report
Few candidates answered this question well. A significant number of candidates did not understand the link between the forests, as a catchment area to the bay. Many students repeated information from the booklet rather than applying their knowledge from the ESS syllabus to this scenario.
