With reference to a region experiencing ecological change, assess the role of human activity in securing a sustainable future.

AO1 – Knowledge and understanding of a region experiencing ecological change. Knowledge and understanding of the concept of sustainable development.

AO2 – Application of knowledge and understanding to assess approaches to sustain management of ecological regions under threat.

Notes for answers

AO1

Case study of a specified region experiencing ecological change to illustrate and analyse the nature of the change and the reasons for it, how the economic, social and political character of its community reflects its ecological setting and how the community is responding to change.
Conservation strategies and their implementation in specific settings.
Ecosystems and their importance for human populations in the light of continuing population growth and economic development.
Human populations in ecosystem development and sustainability.

AO2

The direction of the response will largely depend upon the chosen case study. Some may consider mitigation measures taken to offset the negative impacts of a human action or natural event / process.
In the tropical rainforest for example there are a number of threats to a sustainable future. This is not the focus of the question but expect responses to set the scene by outlining the threats. Deforestation, soil erosion, flooding, effects of mining, settlement and road building are all likely to feature. Some may also consider the impact of agriculture on the local environment and climate.
The thrust of the response should consider strategies to mitigate these negative impacts and bring about a sustainable situation in the chosen location. Most responses are likely to acknowledge that a sustainable future does involve continued exploitation of the forest. Population pressures as well as the vast resources in these areas, are both factors which will guarantee continued exploitation long into the future.
One clear strategy to mitigate the impact of deforestation is selective logging and replanting. Malaysia, for example, has one such approach which assesses the resources available before any forest clearance takes place. Felling is only undertaken by licence holders so there is a degree of control of the scale of deforestation. Some will point out that this does not address the illegal logging challenge. Malaysia does pursue prosecution of illegal loggers where evidence exists. Replanting arrangements are put in place within two years of deforestation. Every 40–50 years the cycle is repeated. The issue with this approach is that it often leads to secondary succession and a subclimax community of vegetation. This is because the damage created leaves the area incapable of reaching the full climax community with the diversity and density of forest coverage.
Rainforest can be protected in areas such as national parks or nature reserves. These areas can be used for education, scientific research and tourism. A recent trend is large international businesses supporting conservation projects in exchange for carrying out scientific research or the provision of raw materials. An example is the Swiss company Givaudian (perfume company). It works with Conservational International and aims to protect 148 000 hectares of the rainforest in Venezuela in exchange for using Tonka beans, used in the production of perfume.
Several charities (NGO’s – non-governmental organisations), including the WWF, Birdlife International and Fauna International support conservation and education programmes, training conservation officers and supporting rainforest conservation in schools.
WWF-Malaysia’s protected areas (PA) programme is divided into two areas: Peninsular Malaysia is the establishment and maintenance of a network of protected areas based on Peninsular Malaysia’s most threatened and biologically significant ecosystems, that contributes to human well-being and species conservation.
International agreements on hardwood use may also feature. There are two key international agreements to control the use of hardwoods. This is important because it can take over 150 years for a mahogany tree to reach maturity. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international organisation that promotes sustainable forestry and only products sourced sustainably carry the FSC mark. The FSC try to educate manufacturers and consumers about the need to buy sustainable hardwoods like mahogany (which takes 150 years to reach maturity) and it aims to reduce the demand for rare and valuable hardwoods.
The International Tropical Timber Agreement (2006) restricts trade in hardwoods by ONLY marking timber with a registration mark if it is from a sustainably managed forest.
Ecotourism Malaysia have promoted their rainforests for ecotourism. Ecotourism aims to introduce people to the natural world, to benefit local communities and protect the environment for the future. Through income generated by ecotourism, local people and governments benefit from retaining and protecting their rainforest trees – a more sustainable option than cutting down trees for short-term profit.
Eg Sungai Yu Forest Reserve, Pahang: as part of a conservation project, visitors can camp with the semi-nomadic Batek tribe, join a local cave excursion team, trek across the jungle and witness beautiful mountain views.
Most countries with tropical rainforests are less developed (LIC’s or NEE’s). Some HIC’s have agreed to write off debts in return for the rainforests being protected. For example, in 2010 the USA agreed to convert a Brazilian debt of £13.5 million into a fund to protect areas of the rainforest – this is called ‘debt for nature swapping’.
Whatever the approach there should be a clear link between the human activity and the sustainability of the actions.
Assessment should consider the extent to which the chosen region experiencing change has a secure future as a result of human action.

Credit any other valid approach.

Level 4 Description (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. Interpretations are comprehensive, sound and coherent (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, processes and interactions and change throughout (AO1).
Detailed awareness of scale and temporal change which is well integrated where appropriate (AO1).

Local Ecosystems (AQA A Level Geography)

Topic Questions