O-LevelGeographyThe natural environment2217/13 · Oct/Nov 2017 · Q425 Marks

(a) Study Fig. 5, which shows the climate of Balikpapan, an area of equatorial climate in Borneo in south east Asia. (b) Study Fig. 6, which shows information about the tropical rainforest ecosystem.

(a)(i)What is the precipitation at Balikpapan during the wettest month? mm[1]
(a)(ii)Calculate the annual temperature range at Balikpapan. You should show your calculations in the box below. °C[2]
(a)(iii)Explain why equatorial climates have a low temperature range.[3]
(a)(iv)Explain why equatorial climates have large amounts of rainfall.[4]
(b)(i)Using Fig. 6 only, suggest three impacts of deforestation on the tropical rainforest ecosystem.[3]
(b)(ii)Explain why large amounts of deforestation are taking place in the tropical rainforest.[5]
(c)For a named area of hot desert you have studied, describe and explain the characteristics of the ecosystem. Name of desert[7]

This question uses a diagram from the original paper, which isn't shown here. Open the full paper from the past papers archive to see it.

Mark scheme

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

[1] 265 mm (Accept 261 mm to 269 mm)
[2] 1 °C; 27-26 °C
[3] Ideas such as: Difference between highest and lowest is small; They are located on or close to Equator/at low latitudes; Sun is overhead/at high angle all year/direct exposure to the sun; Typical daily weather is similar throughout the year etc.
[4] Ideas such as; heating by sun/high temperatures/direct sunlight; high humidity/it is humid; evaporation/transpiration/evapotranspiration; ascending air/convection; cooling; condensation; cumulus or cumulonimbus clouds form; saturation/air mass cannot hold any more water; repeated each day etc;
[3] Ideas such as: There will be less plants/loss of habitat; So less food/loss of food source for amphibians/reptiles/insects/mammals/ birds; So numbers will reduce/animals will die; Damage to food chains; Less plants to be decomposed/less decomposition; So nutrient supply is reduced; Rainforest will not regrow/vicious circle idea etc.
[5] Ideas such as: Governments prioritise economic development/to make money/to generate development; Allowing MNCs permission to exploit the rainforest: For logging/export of wood; Wood for furniture/paper making; For mining (or example); Road building; Building dams/generating HEP; Cattle ranching; Growing crops/agriculture; Housing/settlement
[7] Level 1 (1-3 marks): Statements including limited detail which describe and/or explain the characteristics of the desert ecosystem.
[7] Level 2 (4-6 marks): Uses named example. More developed statements which describe and/or explain the characteristics of the desert ecosystem. (Note: Max 5 if no named or inappropriate example)
[7] Level 3 (7 marks): Comprehensive and accurate statements which describe and explain the characteristics of the desert ecosystem including some place specific reference.
[7] Content Guide: Answers are likely to refer to: Plants Wildlife Adaptations of plants/wildlife Root systems Stems Humps Climate soils etc. Place specific reference is likely to consist of: Locational details, Named parts of the desert named types of plants/animals. Accept xerophytes. Note: Allow MAX 2 × L2 for each element – climate; soils, vegetation; wildlife, soil i.e. we are looking for at least two elements of the ecosystem referred to in the answer to move beyond 5 marks. Fine to link simple description and explanation for L2 for this question. MAX 1 × L2 for a statistic which develops a description.