| Date | November 2020 | Marks available | 6 | Reference code | 20N.1.SL.TZ0.7 |
| Level | Standard Level | Paper | Paper 1 | Time zone | Time zone 0 |
| Command term | Discuss | Question number | 7 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
The resource booklet provides information on Dominica. Use the resource booklet and your own studies to answer the following.
Discuss the effect of hurricanes on the social and ecological development of Dominica.
Markscheme
This question requires “Resource booklet-November 2020 SL Paper 1” available under the “your tests” tab > supplemental materials.
Detrimental [4 max]:
destruction of corals and therefore reduction in biodiversity and/or productivity;
destruction of mangroves/rainforest and therefore reduction in biodiversity and/or productivity/further reductions in numbers of endangered species;
contamination of freshwater ponds/lakes/wetlands and reduction in biodiversity;
flooding washes toxic chemicals and sewage into the oceans, contaminating reefs;
salinization of the soil through saltwater incursion and reduction in productivity;
destruction of habitat/food resources for animals;
destruction of reefs/coastal wetlands, deltas, etc. which make the coastline more vulnerable to future tropical storms;
increase in food insecurity/malnutrition as food crops destroyed;
loss of jobs for people in agriculture leading to increased poverty;
lack of food/poverty may lead to people hunting for bush meat/selling endangered parrots for the pet trade, reducing biodiversity;
poverty/loss of infrastructure may result in people cutting down trees in reserve areas for fuelwood;
increased poverty on the island may reduce the protection provided to endangered species;
outward migration (of working age population) due to lack of employment/fear of another hurricane results in separation of families/falling birth rates/ageing population left behind who cannot work/increase in dependent population;
re-building puts a strain on natural resources including forest for building materials;
cost of re-building puts a strain on economic development / rebuilding places an economic burden on society;
Not detrimental [4 max]:
natural process and ecosystems are adapted to hurricanes and/or recover /damage is temporary;
opens up forest canopy to allow new growth/secondary succession which increases productivity;
allows for better rebuilding to reduce damage in the future;
draws community together in the rebuilding process;
increase in local businesses as foreign companies leave due to danger;
changes physical geography of the land, creating new habitats;
brings in cooler water, reducing risk of coral bleaching;
Note: award [5 max] for both detrimental and not detrimental marking points.
Conclusion [1 max]
Conclusion must be balanced
eg In the long-term ecological development may be more adversely affected than social development, as some species may become extinct whereas plans to help rebuild Dominica may lead to a more cohesive society;
Examiners report
Most candidates achieved some marks for this question. Some candidates gave detailed responses that correctly addressed the question. However, some responses incorrectly focused on economic development instead of social and ecological development. Few candidates provided a balanced conclusion.
