AO1 – Knowledge and understanding of the physical environment of a specified place and its effect on the availability and cost of a resource. Knowledge and understanding of future technological and economic developments in relation to a resource.

AO2 – Application of knowledge and understanding to evaluate the relative importance of physical and human factors associated with the availability of resources both now and in the future. Application of knowledge and understanding to analyse the importance of future developments on a specified place.

Notes for answers

The question links different parts of the Resource security section, specifically a specified case-study of a place to analyse how the physical environment affects availability and cost with alternative resource futures. The answer will very much depend on place and resource used. The spec requires a study of a specified place with reference to one resource, however whilst they should only refer to one specified place they could consider more than one resource. Answers should project from present conditions to examine alternative possible futures.

AO1

Physical geography climatic factors affecting availability and cost, eg the climate of Northern Alaska makes accessing oil reserves more challenging, thereby increasing the cost of extraction. High levels of precipitation in Lake District mean that water can be stored in reservoirs for use in periods of drought. Climate gives opportunities for development of renewable resources for example wind energy in Spain.
Drainage can be harnessed for HEP projects such as Dinorwig in North Wales. In London, much of the water supply is taken from River Thames tributaries that flow over clay meaning that overland flow is increased.
Geology can affect the availability and cost of resources. Geological conditions for accessing minerals mean they are often in areas of mountainous relief, eg reserves of copper in the Andes. This increases the cost of extraction. Geology plays important role in development of geothermal energy. Aquifers increase the availability of water, allowing other factors such as climate to be overcome.
Knowledge and understanding of a specified place in terms of how the physical geography affects availability and place. Some likely examples are Mexico City (water) – groundwater is the main supply of water. Precipitation is variable – very low levels in the winter / spring. It sits on a huge aquifer but there are huge supply problems. Alaska (oil) – geology means large oil reserves found in periglacial areas, issues with extraction in cold environments. New Zealand – energy. Location on tectonic plates mean it has significant geothermal energy potential. High rainfall and glacial troughs mean that HEP is viable and low-cost energy supply.
Knowledge and understanding of ore mineral futures in terms of technological and economic developments. Processing of rare-earths and the economic viability of this. Technological advancements such medical imaging may increase demand for such rare-earths. Technological advancements improve the extraction of ores. For example copper can be extracted from copper-sulphide spoil heaps using bacteria. Metal prices are likely to remain high making extraction more profitable.
Knowledge and understanding of the factors that are likely to affect future water use and supply. According to the UN, by 2025, as much as two-thirds of the world population could be under water stress conditions. Changes in technology may affect the availability or supply of water, demand for water and levels of water use. Increases in temperature or decreases in vegetated area or biological diversity are likely to diminish available supplies.
Knowledge and understanding of future energy developments. Development of renewables may make oil extraction less economical. Development of new energies eg hydrogen fuel cells. Changing demands for energy – likely to move away from OECD countries. Increasing demand in Asian markets. Increase in development of affordable energy.

AO2

Evaluation of the extent to which the physical environment presents a challenge in terms of the availability and cost of a resource in a specified place. For example the Kennecott Bingham copper mine presents the challenge of mining in a mountainous environment. In 2013 there was a large landslide, however this challenge was mitigated by the economic setting of the US – effective monitoring and evacuation and ability to afford the recovery work.
Analysis of the likelihood and ability of future technologies in overcoming physical constraints. For example saltwater greenhouse technology whereby arid areas pump seawater into a greenhouse and use cardboard pads to provide a large evaporation area. Use of remote sensing to identify mineral deposits avoiding the need for exploration drills in cold environments.
Analysis of possible economic futures in overcoming physical constraints. Population growth is likely to make currently unviable extraction more possible. Energy demand likely to increase so make renewable energy more profitable for example in the creation of small-scale HEP projects in mountainous environments.
Analysis of the extent to which future technologies can overcome physical challenges in the specified place. For example, in Mexico City, extraction of water from deeper aquifers may be possible. Ecological rainwater capture also being explored. However, these may be thwarted by economic costs. Fracking may have an important impact on the need to drill in Alaska. Therefore less need to overcome the physical challenge of cold environments.
Analysis of the extent to which future economic developments will overcome physical challenges in the specified place. The greater demands of the US economy will increase pressure on drilling for oil in Alaska. As countries such as China and India develop economically, there will be a global demand for increased oil production in Alaska. Mexico City is now the 8th richest city in the world, this makes new technologies much more affordable.
Analysis of the extent to which the physical environment is not the biggest challenge in terms of availability / cost in the specified place. For example, in Mexico City one of the biggest challenges is leaks – 40% of all water is lost before it reaches the customers. In Alaska, the biggest challenge is an environmental one – preserving the migration routes of the Caribou. The technology is already present in overcoming the challenges of the permafrost. In New Zealand, there were protests by local people over the building of a new HEP project.
Analysis of how future changes will be affected by growing populations, levels of business activity, urbanisation patterns and climate change. LICs are likely to see huge increases in energy demand. There may be greater use of large scale transfer schemes, dams and reservoirs, but sustainable small scale developments may be the way forward in many poorer countries.
Answers should evaluate the relative importance of the physical environment and the likelihood of future developments and reach a conclusion. Any conclusion is possible as long as it supported by evidence in the body of the answer. The conclusion will be very much dependant on the specified place and the resource used.

Level 4 (16–20 marks)

Detailed evaluative conclusion that is rational and firmly based on knowledge and understanding which is applied to the context of the question (AO2).
Detailed, coherent and relevant analysis and evaluation in the application of knowledge and understanding throughout (AO2).
Full evidence of links between knowledge and understanding to the application of knowledge and understanding in different contexts (AO2).
Detailed, highly relevant and appropriate knowledge and understanding of place(s) and environments used throughout (AO1).
Full and accurate knowledge and understanding of key concepts and processes throughout (AO1).
Detailed awareness of scale and temporal change which is well integrated where appropriate (AO1).

Resource Futures (AQA A Level Geography)

Topic Questions