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UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL EXAMINATIONS

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International General Certificate of Secondary Education

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MARK SCHEME for the October/November 2008 question paper

0680 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

0680/02 Paper 2, maximum raw mark 80

This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of
the examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were instructed to award marks. It does not
indicate the details of the discussions that took place at an Examiners’ meeting before marking began.

All Examiners are instructed that alternative correct answers and unexpected approaches in
candidates’ scripts must be given marks that fairly reflect the relevant knowledge and skills
demonstrated.

Mark schemes must be read in conjunction with the question papers and the report on the
examination.

• CIE will not enter into discussions or correspondence in connection with these mark schemes.

CIE is publishing the mark schemes for the October/November 2008 question papers for most IGCSE,
GCE Advanced Level and Advanced Subsidiary Level syllabuses and some Ordinary Level
syllabuses.
 Page 2 Mark Scheme Syllabus Paper
IGCSE – October/November 2008 0680 02

1 (a) (i) X infiltration

Y runoff [2]

(ii) seeps down through spaces in the soil

reaches permeable rock
flows/passes through gaps/pores within the rock

Any two [2]

(iii) Letter I placed anywhere within the wooded area [1]

(iv) More quickly

down valley side slope speeding up surface runoff
less surface resistance of flow over the agricultural land
especially where the field is ploughed down the slope

More slowly
large area of woodland at top of slope to intercept rain
comment about how interception reduces runoff
permeable rock under the soil so that some can penetrate underground

Max 3 marks for an answer referring only to more quickly or slowly.

Also credit a clear reference to the different areas and their rates of runoff

4 points made along the lines suggested. [4]

(b) Possible reasons:

water supply (or drinking)
water supply for other uses e.g. washing, industrial use, power supply
easy waste disposal
fishing/food supply
easy access/transport
often fertile silt soils for farming in surrounding areas
flat land areas are on sides of rivers
Any three valid reasons provided that they are obviously different or made to be
different, like the water supply examples above [3]

(c) (i) workers killed and injured

residents affected by orange cloud of smoke/air pollution
40,000 residents evacuated from their homes
toxic leak into river

Any two [2]

(ii) Harbin was lower down/downstream from the leak into the river
slick was too big (80km long) to be diluted/dispersed before reaching Harbin
officials made no attempts to control or stop the slick/slow in topping water use

Maximum 1 mark for merely quoting relevant information from the source
Two mark answers include comment/context [2]

© UCLES 2008
Page 3 Mark Scheme Syllabus Paper
IGCSE – October/November 2008 0680 02

(iii) Songhua River flows across the border into Russia

towns along the river in Russia like Khabarovsk use river water for drinking
China waited at least a week before informing Russia of the toxic leak
China did nothing to clean up a large slick like this
comment about likely Russian views on this.

Points made along these lines 3 @ 1 mark [3]

(iv) Only real fact was that the main slick had moved downstream of the city
Perhaps half accurate was the statement that the water flowing in the river was
now clean/safe water
However, water was not safe/chemicals still likely to be present according to what
the expert living outside China said; nitro-benzine is a highly dangerous substance
for humans
Possible that will affect people for a long time – especially since the leak was
enormous (80km long slick) causing likely high concentrations; breakdown likely to
be slow in cold water in winter
Possible that humans would be affected not only by drinking the water but also by
eating fish from the river

Mark explanation which supports the view or views expressed. [4]

(d) (i) Plots – 10 or more correct = 2 marks

– at least 4 correct = 1 mark
Line used to link the candidate's plots = 1 mark [3]

(ii) Summer/June to September (or October) [1]

(iii) Although June & July were the wettest months, there had been 6 or 7 dry months
before
rivers and ground could take more rainfall without flooding than after 3 months of
high rainfall
between 1400 & 1500mm of rain fell in the three months before September, it
takes time for rivers to fill up from all the tributaries and start flooding

Some idea of the reasons why = 1 mark

Understood, particularly if supported by a specific reference to precipitation values
= 2 marks [2]

(iv) One answer is April = 1 mark

Explanation – either zero precipitation, or better still it is preceded by at least 4
very dry months (each with only a trace of rainfall); also allow high temperatures
leading to high rates of evaporation
Choice of May = 1 mark also; similar explanation based on length of preceding dry
months; higher temperatures and high evaporation are even more valid
When another month is chosen, no mark for choice, but one mark is possible for
valid explanation (easier to achieve the closer the month is to April/May) [2]

© UCLES 2008
Page 4 Mark Scheme Syllabus Paper
IGCSE – October/November 2008 0680 02

(v) Description of a method of irrigation – any acceptable (canal, sprinkler, large or

small schemes etc.) although trickle drip is the only method of irrigation actually
named in the syllabus.
water storage (from dam, reservoir, river etc)
method of transfer (if different from above)
pipes with small holes in them
water trickles out around the plants only where they are growing
reduces amount of water used/chances of salinisation

Three points made along these lines for this or for another method of irrigation
Also, credit answers about dry farming techniques and development of new
drought resistant varieties of seeds, provided the context is made relevant. [3]

(e) (i) Benefits of high rainfall and river floods for farmers include:
deposits of fertile (silt) soils after floods
filling up reservoirs/ponds/rivers used for irrigation water supply
water seeping into ground and raising level of water table
renews the grass/vegetation in areas of livestock grazing
standing water essential for some crops such as wet padi

Any two – accept other points provided that they relate to farming. [2]

(ii) Agree – some of world's most productive farming areas, with highest densities of
population are found on flood plains and deltas, especially in Asia – without annual
floods and wet summers none of this would be possible. Reward references to
examples. In these areas flooding on a larger scale than normal may cause loss
and damage, but not as great as would be caused by non-arrival of the rains

Disagree – flooding is a major natural hazard which kills people and animals, ruins
crops, destroys property, spreads water related diseases, keeps people stuck in
the poverty trap, holds back economic development etc. Examples of bad floods
could be used to support answers.

No mark for view held – all views from total agreement to total disagreement are
equally acceptable. Instead reward the explanation.
Strong explanation which supports the view expressed = 3 or 4 marks
Some explanation, but less well developed; view not always clear = 1 or 2 marks [4]

[Total: 40]

© UCLES 2008
 Page 5 Mark Scheme Syllabus Paper
IGCSE – October/November 2008 0680 02

2 (a) mixed vegetation cover

grass, bushes and trees dotted around
looks like wet season with fresh grasses and leaves on trees

Further comment about any of the individual vegetation types such as:
tree looks like an acacia/umbrella shaped
grasses in the open areas/reasonably deep/complete ground coverage

Three descriptive points like these based upon what can be seen in the photo. [3]

(b) (i) Reference to photosynthesis

formula given
explanation about how carbon dioxide and water are converted into sugar and
glucose (carbohydrates) by light energy of the sun – up to 2 marks
oxygen released from process used by animals

Maximum 4 marks, minimum 2 marks

(ii) New supplies of minerals are obtained from underground from the continued
weathering of rocks – up to 2 marks
can be new surface deposits such as silt from river floods
also from nutrient recycling from dead vegetation, animals and micro-organisms –
up to 2 marks

Maximum 4 marks, minimum 2 marks [6]

(c) (i) Nutrients and energy absorbed by plants are passed to other living things
in this case the giraffe as it eats the leaves from the bushes
nutrients and energy are therefore moved along a food chain

Some understanding of what food chain means = 1 mark

Understanding well shown in the context provided by the diagram = 2nd mark [2]

(ii) The giraffe is a herbivore/plant eater

the giraffe can in turn be the food for carnivores (such as lions)
humans are often placed at the top of the food chain/tertiary consumers
numbers that can be supported decrease along the food chain
decomposers at end/others later in food chain

Two points made along these lines [2]

(d) (i) The Earth's natural resources of solar energy and water
the size of the Earth's land area

(ii) The Earth's natural ecosystems of vegetation and animals

Minimum of two correct needed for each one.

One from each; 2 @ 1 mark [2]

© UCLES 2008
Page 6 Mark Scheme Syllabus Paper
IGCSE – October/November 2008 0680 02

(iii) Massive increase in human population

while the Earth's land area and natural resources have remained the same,
resulting in an increase in the agricultural land area at the expense of woodland
and wildlife, CO2 increase related to fossil fuel use

Well understood = 2 marks

Some understanding = 1 mark [2]

(e) (i) Collecting plants/berries etc. (wild products)

hunting wild animals
Allow references which may come from knowledge such as fishing

Two different ways = 2 marks [2]

(ii) Advantage – had to be sustainable to survive/population could not increase

beyond what was provided by nature/low technology meant minimal environmental
impact

One advantage along the lines suggested = 1 mark

Disadvantage – precarious existence with food supplies not always guaranteed,

availability highly variable from year to year/season to season, had to spend a lot
of time searching for food, few opportunities to specialise and advance knowledge

One disadvantage along the lines suggested = 1 mark [2]

(iii) 25% (allow one quarter) [1]

(iv) Chemical fertilisers and pesticides:

fertilisers add/replace nutrients in the soil that crops/grasses need for growth
examples include those containing nitrogen and phosphates
stop the need for fallow land/allow preferred crop to be grown every year
allows extension of farmland into areas unsuitable because of infertile soils
pesticides kill/destroy what would otherwise eat or damage the farm output
allow high yields/outputs to be achieved every year

New varieties of seeds and animals:

HYV (high yielding varieties) of seeds associated with the Green Revolution
examples such as IR8 rice seeds/mainly for cereals wheat, maize and rice
can be genetically selected for better adaptation to difficult physical conditions
(such as dryness or short growing season)
genetically modified crops developed to resist pests better/give a more guaranteed
output
specialised breeds of animals developed e.g. beef and milk cattle
larger animals/those better adapted to physical conditions by cross-breeding

Modern technology:
machines such as tractors and harvesters do more work more quickly
big ploughs allow land to be cultivated that was formerly too heavy for wooden
ploughs to turn over
bad weather less of a problem because the work can be done more quickly when
the weather is good
scientific study/analysis of soils to know what needs to be added for improved
output

© UCLES 2008
Page 7 Mark Scheme Syllabus Paper
IGCSE – October/November 2008 0680 02

scientific breeding of plants and animals

large dams to store more water/allow larger areas to be cultivated
examples given e.g. Aswan Dam and its effects for farming in Egypt

Points made like these – what is given here is no more than a selection of the
points that can be made. Credit references to named examples of types and to
places.

Maximum 4 marks, minimum 2 marks for each reason chosen [6]

(f) (i) Other temperate forests [1]

(ii) Reasons which could be used:

suitability or otherwise of physical conditions for farming – polar and coniferous
forests more difficult, cold environments than temperate and tropical areas with
their higher temperatures; within the tropics savanna has more rainfall and
vegetation than hot deserts, while access is easier than in the high density
rainforests where heavy rain falls all year

levels of technology – advances in modem technology/Industrial Revolution began

in temperate lands, which allowed more forests to be cleared, more people had to
be fed, more land needed for farming etc. Most developed countries are located in
temperate areas; developing countries are located mainly in the tropics

One answer/theme can be good enough for full marks – reward according to
validity of points made i.e. according to the worth of the answer. For all three
marks some comment towards the theme of variation between ecosystems is
needed. [3]

(iii) Tropical rainforest [1]

(iv) Community forestry:

planting trees to fill/replace gaps in forest
especially in vulnerable areas such as on slopes
make use of forest products such as rubber instead of clearance
use dead branches etc. for firewood rather than chopping trees down
educate and train local people into sustainable ways of use

Agro-forestry:
plant fast growing agricultural tree crops like rubber and oil palm
maintain a complete forest/vegetation cover to prevent soil damage
the tree crops can be used to shelter smaller food crops
wood needed for other purposes such as fuel can be provided by planting patches
of fast growing eucalyptus trees

Sustainable harvesting of hardwoods:

selective logging of trees of greatest commercial value
taking out only mature trees and leaving the rest to grow to full size
keep forest clearances small so that rapid regeneration is possible
do a preliminary survey to find the most suitable logging areas
check cutting of timber and ensure a long gap before next cutting

3 points such as these for chosen technique [3]

© UCLES 2008
 Page 8 Mark Scheme Syllabus Paper
IGCSE – October/November 2008 0680 02

(v) Usually sustainable conservation measures are not easy to implement because:
restrictions imposed on what can be done, where and when
increased costs of operations/make profits harder to achieve
easier to clear all the forest with big machines than seek out the valuable trees
which are dotted around within the rainforests
often there are commercial, social and political pressures for use of resources
examples of this e.g. by reference to the Amazon Basin
many of remaining forests are located in developing countries which are seeking
economic development
controls over companies/developers are weak or not enforced; also widespread
corruption

On the other side, there is more pressure upon governments and authorities from
environmental groups and international organisations to implement sustainable
techniques. Possible to educate politicians and local people about the commercial
benefits associated with sustainability. Problem is that benefits are medium and
long term whereas non-sustainable methods bring immediate income.

Any view is acceptable, but candidates are likely to find it easier to support an
answer which focuses on difficulty of implementation.

Answer worth 1–2 marks

Limited explanation; one idea may be stated (and perhaps restated) without much explanatory
support.

Answer worth 3–4 marks

Fuller explanation used in support of the views expressed. The question is answered/supported
by relevant detail/content. [4]

[Total: 40]

© UCLES 2008