O-LevelGeographyThe natural environment2217/23 · May/June 2017 · Q58 Marks

Study Fig. 6, which shows the vegetation in a tropical rainforest.

(a)(i)On Fig. 6, what is the maximum height of the trees?[1]
(a)(ii)Why do emergent trees: • grow so tall? • have buttress roots?[2]
(a)(iii)Give two differences between the canopy and the under canopy.[2]
(a)(iv)Give a reason why the forest floor receives very little sunlight.[1]
(b)A subsistence farmer wants to plant some crops in the rainforest and can either use an area that has previously been cleared of trees or create a new clearing. Suggest an advantage for each of these options. Advantage of using previously cleared area Advantage of creating a new clearing[2]

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Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2017). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] 50 m–52 m
[1] To reach sunlight
[1] Stability in wet soil / better support for tall tree
[1] Canopy is higher / under canopy is lower
[1] Canopy is more continuous / denser / more leaves
[1] Canopy has wider tops / crowns
[1] Shaded
[1] Canopy fully covers / 'blocks sunlight
[1] (Previously cleared area) No (big) trees to cut down / only small veg to remove
[1] (Previously cleared area) Quicker to get crops planted / less preparation needed
[1] (New clearing) Soil will be more fertile / have better structure
[1] (New clearing) Burning trees will supply fertiliser to soil

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