To what extent does Algonquin Provincial Park provide a model of sustainable management of a protected area?

This question requires “Resource Booklet - Nov 2018 SL paper 1”, available under the "your tests" tab > supplemental materials.

Ways in which Algonquin IS a model of sustainable management [4 marks max]:
multiple nature reserve zones that protect different ecosystems/landscapes and species for future generations (environmental sustainability);
Algonquin Provincial Park is a large area (7630 km²) allowing for greater biodiversity (environmental sustainability);
high level of biodiversity makes the area more resilient to change;
(low-impact) recreational uses are allowed accounting for the recreational needs of humans (social sustainability);
indigenous people are still allowed to trap in the park so First Nation rights have been respected (social sustainability);
trapping of beavers is allowed but only on a very small scale / only with ethical traps /hunting of beavers is controlled;
managing beaver population limits damage/flooding of other habitats;
hunting of wolves is prohibited;
park generates an income (economic sustainability) which can be reinvested in managing the park / used for further conservation measures;
no humans are allowed to live in the park to ensure that conflicts are avoided/minimised;
visitor centres are provided in a small part of the park reducing impact elsewhere;
visitor centres contribute to educating people about the park/conservation;
single access point to the park so visitor numbers can be controlled;
campsites are kept simple in wilderness areas so will not have a big impact on most wild areas;
one million visitors a year but still has very high rates of diversity suggesting they are doing a good job of managing it sustainably;
buffer zone around the park protects coyotes and wolves if they stray beyond the boundary.

Ways in which Algonquin IS NOT a model of sustainable management [4 marks max]:
trapping of beavers is still permitted and many people believe that animals should not be harmed (biorights);
boundary of park does not correspond with territorial ranges of wolves so once wolves step outside the buffer zone they may still be hunted or trapped by accident;
nature reserve is only 7% of the area so potentially damaging economic activity is still allowed in 78% of the park;
logging results in habitat destruction (hence conflicts with protection);
natural reserves are fragmented meaning populations might be isolated genetically;
major routeway (route 60) passes through the park so vehicles could hit and kill animals as they cross / roads fragment habitat / roads create a barrier for wildlife movement;
poaching is difficult to control as surrounding roads (Highways 17 and 11) increase access to more remote areas of park;
one million visitors a year is likely to have a big impact as it may be hard to enforce good behaviours, eg not littering, in remote parts of the park / recreational activities may still disrupt wildlife;
development zone is connected to a wilderness zone, so wilderness zone is likely to have heavy use;
development zone is located within wolf pack territory.

Conclusion/Appraisal [1]
For example:
Despite the number of protected areas within the park, the large number of visitors is likely to have an overall detrimental effect on its habitats and associated wildlife and therefore this park is not an ideal model of sustainable development;
Algonquin Provincial Park provides an excellent model of sustainable management by balancing the recreational/social/cultural needs of people (including the First Nation) whilst preserving the biodiversity of the area.

A valid conclusion should be credited if it is explicit, balanced (addresses both sides of the argument) and supported by evidence. Do not credit the conclusion if only one side of the argument has been considered within the overall response.

Award 5 max if there is no conclusion/opinion.
Accept other reasonable responses supported by information in the resource booklet.
Do not accept 'protected designation prevents industrial/agricultural/urban development of area'.

Although most students achieved some marks for this question, few achieved full marks. Many candidates did not include both sides of the argument or a balanced conclusion. A significant number of candidates did not attempt this question or just copied out the information from Figures 1b and 2a.