| Date | November 2021 | Marks available | 1 | Reference code | 21N.1.SL.TZ0.1 |
| Level | Standard Level | Paper | Paper 1 | Time zone | Time zone 0 |
| Command term | Identify | Question number | 1 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
Figure 2(b): Examples of ecosystems in London
[Source: (top left) O’Connor, P., 2015. GOC Walthamstow to Stratford 164: Old English Garden, Victoria Park. [image
online] Available at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/anemoneprojectors/25609419345/in/photostream/ Attribution-
ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ [Accessed 22 May
2020]. Source adapted.
(top right) Taylor, J., 2009. Park Crescent, London NW1 private communal garden. [image online] Available at:
https://fr.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fichier:Park_Crescent,_London_NW1_private_communal_garden_-_geograph.org.
uk_-_1268358.jpg Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/bysa/
2.0/ [Accessed 22 May 2020]. Source adapted.
(bottom left) Haywood, Jay., 2004. Grey Heron in London Wetlands Centre. [image online] Available at:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Grey_Heron_in_London_Wetlands_Centre_-_geograph.org.uk_-
_795424.jpg Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ [Accessed 22 May 2020]. Source adapted.
(center left and right) Oberst, T., 2019 Untitled. [photograph].]
Figure 3: Climate graph for London
Figure 4(a): Green spaces in London
[Source: Greater London Authority, 2016. Draft Economic Evidence Base 2016. [online] Available at: https://www.london.
gov.uk/sites/default/files/draft-eeb-2016.pdf [Accessed 1 June 2020].]
With reference to Figures 2(b) and 3, identify an ecosystem found in London.
Outline one factor which limits the primary productivity of an ecosystem in London.
Identify one distribution pattern of green spaces seen in Figure 4(a).
Outline three ways that London’s green spaces are considered natural capital.
Markscheme
grassland/meadow /marshland/wetland/ pond/lake/ river / urban/ (temperate/deciduous/temperate deciduous) forest / woodland / garden / (city) park/parkland;
Note: Do not accept only ‘terrestrial/freshwater ecosystem’.
cold temperatures in the winter months (4 °C in January) could inhibit photosynthesis/plant growth;
seasons/limited insolation in the winter could reduce photosynthesis/plant growth;
air pollution limits photosynthesis/plant growth;
Notes: Do not credit ‘limits variety of vegetation/lowers primary productivity’.
For credit, response must link to photosynthesis/plant growth, not just productivity.
Do not credit ‘low precipitation/rainfall’.
- fragmented/scattered/dispersed;
- more open land in the southwest;
- forested/wild areas/green belt on the border/outskirts/edges of the city;
- more forested/wild areas in the southeast;
- corridor of green space following the River Thames;
Notes: For credit response must relate to the distribution of green spaces.
Do not accept ‘uneven / found in the South’.
- remove air pollutants providing cleaner air (improving health/reducing health care costs);
- provide areas for education/tourism/leisure and physical activity (reducing obesity/stress);
- increase economic value of homes nearby;
- increase biodiversity of species (insects, small animals, plants) / provides a habitat for animals/pollinating bees;
- act as flood mitigation/reduces flood risk (by absorbing precipitation/increase infiltration);
- filters (and cleans) water entering river/aquifers;
- rivers/lakes provide a source of water;
- cool temperatures/reduce urban heat island/reduce heating-cooling costs for homes;
- absorb CO2/carbon sink / release O2/oxygen source;
- provides a source of food/timber/fertile soil for agriculture;
Examiners report
The majority of candidates correctly identified an ecosystem found in London.
Very few candidates answered this question correctly. Many candidates did not consider the command term used and stated a correct factor eg low temperature or sunlight but did not relate this to its effect on photosynthesis and therefore primary productivity. A few responses incorrectly suggested that high levels of rainfall caused flooding.
Most students answered this question well with many responses referring to the green spaces found on the edges of the city.
Responses varied widely for this question with most candidates achieving at least one mark. A common error was to repeat statements from Figure 4(b) rather than use this information to consider the goods and services gained from London’s green spaces.
