8824 – 6501M

Markscheme

November 2024

Environmental systems and societies

Standard level

Paper 1

13 pages
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Subject details: Environmental systems and societies SLP1

Markscheme
Mark allocation

Candidates are required to answer:

• ALL questions
• The maximum total = [35].

1. Environmental systems and societies uses marking points and markbands to determine the
achievement of candidates

When using marking points:

i. A markscheme often has more marking points than the total allows. This is intentional
ii. Each marking point has a separate line and the end is shown by means of a semi-colon (;)
iii. Where a mark is awarded, a tick/check () must be placed in the text at the precise point
where it becomes clear that the candidate deserves the mark. One tick to be shown for each
mark awarded
iv. The order of marking points does not have to be as in the markscheme, unless stated
otherwise.

When using markbands (Only for Section B, part (c) questions):

i. Read the response and determine which band the response fits into
ii. Then re-read the response to determine where the response fits within the band
iii. Annotate the response to indicate your reasoning behind the awarding of the mark
Do not use ticks at this point
iv. Decide on a mark for the response
v. At the end of the response place the required number of ticks to enable RM Assessor to
input the correct number of marks for the response.

2. An alternative answer or wording is indicated in the markscheme by a slash (/). Either wording can
be accepted.

3. Words in brackets ( ) in the markscheme are not necessary to gain the mark.

4. Words that are underlined are essential for the mark.

5. If the candidate’s answer has the same “meaning” or can be clearly interpreted as being of
equivalent significance, detail and validity as that in the markscheme then award the mark.
Where this point is considered to be particularly relevant in a question it is emphasized by
WTTE (words to that effect).
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6. Remember that many candidates are writing in a second language. Effective communication is
more important than grammatical accuracy.

7. Occasionally, a part of a question may require an answer that is required for subsequent
marking points. If an error is made in the first marking point then it should be penalized. However, if
the incorrect answer is used correctly in subsequent marking points then follow through marks
should be awarded. When marking, indicate this by adding ECF (error carried forward) on the
script.

8. Do not penalize candidates for errors in units or significant figures, unless it is specifically referred
to in the markscheme.
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1. (a) Using Figures 2(a) and 2(b), identify one type of vegetation found in Zermatt [1]

Coniferous forest/grassland;

(b) With reference to Figure 2(a), distinguish between the climates of Montana and
Zermatt. [2]

a. Zermatt is wettest in the summer months of May, June, July and August /
peak precipitation in Zermatt is in May / total precipitation per year in Zermatt
is 590mm / maximum precipitation in Zermatt is 70mm;
b. Montana is wet all year / peak precipitation in Montana is in December / total
precipitation per year in Montana is 830mm / maximum precipitation in
Montana is about 99mm;
c. Montana is wetter than/has more precipitation (than Zermatt) / Zermatt has
less precipitation/is drier(than Montana);
d. Temperatures range from approximately –1/-2°C to 16/17°C in Montana /
highest mean monthly temperature is 16°C in Montana;
e. Temperatures range from approximately –3/-4°C to 14°C in Zermatt / highest
mean monthly temperature is 14°C in Zermatt;
f. Temperatures are colder in Zermatt (than in Montana) / Montana is warmer
(than Zermatt);

Note to examiners: reserve one mark for Montana and one mark for Zermatt. While
comparison terms are encouraged, they are not mandatory for this question.
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(c) With reference to Figure 2(a), outline why the vegetation in mountain zones
changes with altitude. [2]

a. Zonation (parallel bands of vegetation) occurs due to changing abiotic/climatic

conditions (e.g. temperature, oxygen levels, carbon dioxide levels, soil depth,
wind speed, aspect, water availability, nutrient availability);
b. Plants which can survive in colder conditions are found higher in the
mountains (such as conifers, which begin photosynthesizing as soon as
temperatures rise above 0°C) / colder temperatures means that not all types
of vegetation/species can grow there/changes the types of vegetation;
c. Plants (e.g. deciduous trees) which require longer growing seasons are found
lower in the mountains (as the snow melts more quickly in spring) / water
availability reduces with altitude which restricts the type of plant species that
can grow there;
d. Soils become thinner with altitude, limiting (tree) root development, (creating
alpine meadows);
e. Plants that can tolerate thin/nutrient-poor soils dominate higher elevations
(leading to alpine meadows rather than dense forests);
f. South-facing slopes are warmer and snow melts more quickly, resulting in
higher upper limits for each zone / north-facing slopes are cooler/retain snow
longer providing shorter growing seasons and different vegetation zones
compared to similar altitudes on south-facing slopes;
g. At higher altitudes, increased exposure to wind reduces tree growth/limits
plant height/favours low-growing/wind-resistant species;
h. Increased UV radiation at high altitudes favours plants with protective
adaptations (such as waxy leaves or compact growth);
i. With increase in altitude there is a reduction in oxygen levels which results in
a change in the types of vegetation;

Note to examiners: Accept the converse where appropriate.

For credit response must link to either zonation or change in vegetation type. Do not
accept ‘less vegetation’ instead of ‘changes to the type of vegetation’.

Do not accept only ‘changes in vegetation occur due to changes in temperature’.

2. (a) Describe the snowfall data shown in Figure 3.

[2]
a. (Data is) highly variable/fluctuates / there is no (overall) trend;
b. Increasing trend from approximately 1957–1980 / decreasing trend from
approximately 1987(–2021);
c. Highest snow depth period was from approximately 1976–1987 (as all snow
depths exceeded 600 cm/were higher than the average) / lowest snow depth
period was from approximately 2009 to 2016 (as all snow depths were lower
than the average);
d. Peak/maximum snow depth in 1969 (of about 1163 cm) / lowest snow depth in
2016 (of about 140 cm);
e. The average total snowfall is about 500 cm;

Note to examiners: reserve one mark for quantification. (e.g. year or snow
depth).
Do not accept contradictory marking points e.g. ‘no trend’ (MPa) followed by
description of trend (MPb).
Accept other reasonable responses that are supported by the data in Figure 3.
Do not credit ‘there is no data for 2007 and 2008’.
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(b) Outline how a reduction in snow cover in the Alps can act as a positive feedback
loop for climate change. [2]

a. Less snow means a reduction in albedo/reflectivity / more insolation/radiation

is absorbed by (darker) bare ground;
b. warmer ground melts surrounding snow, reducing snow cover further / warmer
ground heats lower atmosphere, increasing air temperatures reducing snow
cover further / warmer conditions allow vegetation to grow lowering
albedo/absorbing more sunlight further reducing snow accumulation;
OR
c. Less snow cover results in greater absorption of sunlight, warming the ground
and melting permafrost therefore releasing methane;
d. Methane contributes to global warming/increase in temperature which results
in further melting/loss of snow cover;

Note to examiners: Accept the above points in a diagram. Answer must indicate
closed loop for full marks.
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3. (a) With reference to Figure 4(a), outline how Swiss glacier retreat will impact the river
Rhine. [1]

a. as the glacier melts/more melting means higher volume/bigger/faster rivers;

b. as the glaciers lose volume/reduce in size/source begin to disappear the river
will become slower/smaller/reduce volume/dry up / reduction in glacial
meltwater in summer months could mean lower river levels and drought/water
shortages downstream;
c. rapid melt can increase turbidity due to glacial rock flour/suspended sediment;

Note to examiners: do not accept just an increase or decrease in river size/volume

without linking it to the cause of this change.

(b) With reference to Figure 4(b), calculate the percent decrease in ice volume
between 2010 and 2019. [1]

((60−53)/60×100=) (-)11.67/11.7/12 (%);

Note to examiners: also accept 11.66 repeating (with a dot over the final 6). Ignore
a negative sign if it is included and mark just the number.

(c) Describe the processes leading to the development of a pioneer community as the
glacier retreats, as shown in Figures 4(c) and 4(d). [2]

a. Primary succession / succession on bare rock / lithosere;

b. Physical factors (temperature, precipitation, freeze-thaw weathering)
weather/erode bare rock (creating the mineral/abiotic component/soil base);
c. Plants/seeds/early colonizing species/pioneer species are brought in by
wind/animals/birds;
d. Early colonising/pioneer species/r-selected/r-strategist/r-species become
established/spread rapidly;
e. Early colonising/pioneer species/leguminous/plants add organic
matter/nutrient content/improve soil quality (as they decompose);
f. Root systems of early colonizers help to stabilize the soil layer/reduce
erosion;
g. As soil depth increases, more plants can survive/percent cover vegetation
increases;

Note to examiners: Do not credit responses that refer to climax communities.

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(d) Describe a method used to collect the data on percent cover vegetation shown in
Figure 4(d) [3]

a. Decide on the location of a transect using an air photo/map / create a transect

from the end of the glacier, moving away in a straight line;
b. Conduct systematic sampling to determine the change along the
environmental gradient / sample at (regular) intervals with increasing distance
away from the glacier;
c. use quadrat sampling;
d. (visually) estimate/calculate/determine percent cover (at each site/sampling
location) / count how many squares have vegetation and add them up;
e. Random sampling at each location for quadrat measurements (to avoid bias in
site selection);
f. Repeat measurements (to get average/standard deviation) at each site;

Note to examiners: Do not accept only ‘systematic sampling/sampling at intervals’.

4. (a) Using Figure 5, calculate the proportion of electricity generated by renewable

sources. [1]

a. (100-35=) 65(%);
b. 65:35 / 13:7;

(b) Suggest two reasons why the majority of Switzerland’s electricity is generated by
hydropower. [2]

a. Switzerland has high availability of rivers/glacier melt (for hydropower

development) / the physical geography/relief of the country makes it suitable
for hydropower development;
b. Hydropower is more reliable than other sources of renewable energy (as
water can be stored in dams/lakes/reservoirs for use throughout the year);
c. Switzerland does not have any fossil fuel resources of its own/must import
fossil fuels (which increase dependency/costs);
d. Switzerland wants to move away from non-renewable resources to become
more energy independent / wants to develop energy security by reducing
reliance on importing electricity/fossil fuels;
e. Awareness of climate change/sustainability goals means the country wants to
use/develop renewable sources of energy / Switzerland wants to move away
from non-renewable resources to meet international agreements/Paris Accord
agreements / hydropower produces less GHG than burning fossil fuels;
f. Switzerland has the economic ability/money/resources/technology (available
to construct/invest in building (expensive) dams);

Note to examiners: do not accept ‘Switzerland’s climate is not favourable for other
renewable sources e.g. solar/wind'
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5. (a) With reference to Figure 6(b), state the ecological relationship between the marmot
(Marmota flaviventris) and the moss campion (Silene acaulis). [1]

Herbivory/predation/predator-prey/primary consumer;

Note to examiners: do not accept just 'herbivore', ‘predator’, ‘food source’. If more
than one response is given, mark the first response only.

(b) Predict how increasing numbers of the Eurasian wolf (Canis lupus lupus) will impact
the alpine ecosystem. [2]

a. (As a top predator) wolves will reduce the population numbers of

herbivores/primary consumers/prey species/cow/chamois/marmot by
predation;
b. A reduction in herbivores/primary consumers/prey
species/cow/chamois/marmot will reduce pressure/grazing on vegetation
allowing trees/plants to regenerate/allow vegetation/primary producers to
increase/grow;
c. Reduction in herbivores/primary consumers/prey
species/cow/chamois/marmot may reduce competition (between cattle/cows
and other herbivores) due to more vegetation for food;
d. Reduction in herbivores/primary consumers/prey
species/cow/chamois/marmot will result in increased vegetation cover/root
systems/forests which will reduce risk of soil erosion;
e. Increased competition with other predators may reduce populations (eg. Lynx);
f. wolf kills provide food sources for scavenger species (vultures, eagles),
increasing scavenger biodiversity and strengthening the food web;
g. herbivores/primary consumers/prey species/cow/chamois/marmot may alter
movement/grazing patterns to avoid areas of high wolf presence, reducing
overgrazing in certain regions and promoting more diverse plant growth;
h. increased vegetation cover due to reduced grazing pressure supports soil
stability and water retention, helping maintain ecosystem health and
resilience;
i. over the longer term, the reduction in herbivores/increase in primary
producers may create opportunities for new species/increase biodiversity /
over the longer term, the reduction in herbivores/prey species may result in
less food available for the wolves, resulting in a decline in wolf numbers;

Note to examiners: do not accept ‘food web will collapse/become unbalanced’. Do

not accept answers which refer to an increase/decrease in populations without a
clear cause.
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(c) With reference to Figures 6(c) and 6(d), evaluate the effectiveness of the protection
given to the Eurasian wolf (Canis lupus lupus) in Switzerland. [3]

Effective [2 max]:
a. Wolf numbers have been recovering (since 1979/1995) / wolf numbers have
more than doubled (between 2020 and 2022) so they have been effectively
protected;
b. The Bern Convention/Swiss law gives them legal protection (across
Europe/numerous countries);

Ineffective [2 max]:
c. Under Swiss law, they can be shot if they are threatening livestock/humans so
they are not protected;
d. Wolves are still killed by poachers/by accident and therefore they are not
being effectively protected;
e. Wolves are killed to control numbers so they are not protected / the
government has killed wolves so they are not committed to protecting them;

Note to examiners: One point may be awarded for a balanced conclusion with a
value statement. E.g.: While wolf numbers have increased substantially, they are
still being killed by poachers/the government and therefore protection is not fully
effective.

For credit there should be clear indication whether the point is effective or
ineffective.

Do not accept ‘it has been effective because populations are large enough to require
culling/reducing’.

6. (a) With reference to Figure 7, explain how Swiss dairy farming can be
considered sustainable. [3]

a. farms are small and most are family-owned which supports the local
economy/creates jobs in the local community / dairy farming supports
local/rural economies (economically sustainable) / production and processing
is local which contributes to the local economy;
b. Farms are small/family owned which maintains traditions/culture of
Switzerland/is socially sustainable;
c. Cattle are moved each season to a different location allowing for grasses/soil
to recover/preventing overgrazing/preventing soil erosion (increasing
environmental sustainability);
d. Grazing in the alpine meadows/eating grass produces less methane/GHG
emissions (than eating hay) (increasing environmental sustainability);
e. Alpine meadows used for dairy farming are carbon sinks (increasing
environmental sustainability);
f. Production, processing and consumption are local, reducing CO2/GHG from
transport (increasing environmental sustainability);
g. Eating locally produced food reduces the ecological footprint/enhances food
security (of Switzerland) (increasing environmental sustainability);

Note to examiners: Do not accept a ‘reduction in pollution/emissions’.

Do not accept ‘cows provide cultural value/tourism that generates income’.
Do not accept ‘small/family farms are more ethical’.
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(b) Suggest one method which could be used to encourage dairy farmers to support
conservation of wolves. [1]

a. Payment of compensation for animals killed by wolves;

b. Education of farmers on the value of wolves (in the ecosystem / in reducing competing
herbivore numbers);
c. Local volunteering opportunities to help protect livestock;
d. Education/demonstration projects on using guard/livestock dogs/electric
fences/shepherds to protect livestock;
e. Subsidies/grants for protective infrastructure (e.g reinforced fencing or night
enclosures) to help farmers safeguard livestock;

Note to examiners: Do not accept only measures that can be used to protect the livestock
e.g. ‘use of fences’.
Do not accept ‘move wolves to other areas’.
Do not accept ‘laws prohibiting killing of wolves by farmers’.
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7. To what extent will climate change be beneficial for Switzerland? [6]

Beneficial [4 max]:
a. More summer tourism in the Alps as people want to escape the heat from the
lowlands/southern Europe leading to economic growth;
b. Higher (agricultural/primary) productivity/photosynthesis due to longer
summers and warmer winter resulting in more food/economic growth;
c. More grazing/farming (e.g. vineyards/crops) higher in the Alps due to retreat of
glaciers/longer summers, boosting productivity/economic growth / warmer
weather/longer summers allow cattle to graze on fresh grass/in the alpine
meadows for a longer period of time, thereby reducing methane production;
d. Warmer conditions could support agricultural diversification making
Switzerland more food secure;
e. (Initially) more river flow, generating more hydroelectric power;
f. (initially) increased river flow/melting of glaciers increases available water
resources/drinking water;
g. Reduced snow will reduce avalanche risk, making it safer;
h. Increased biodiversity due to warmer temperatures/climate that create new
habitats;
i. Warmer weather may reduce use of fuel/energy to heat houses/building;
j. Higher percentage of vegetation cover (e.g. forest growth after glacial retreat)
improves carbon storage, which could be used to off-set carbon dioxide
emissions/used in carbon-trading;

Not beneficial [4 max]:

k. Loss of winter tourism as snow/glacier cover reduces (causing economic
hardship/loss of income/loss of employment);
l. Increased summer hiking could result in loss of biodiversity due to trampling;
m. Eventually less river flow as glaciers disappear, resulting in water shortages;
n. Reduced water availability for hydroelectric power generation / conversion of
river flow from glacial to nival flow regime, reducing reliability of hydroelectric
power generation;
o. Melting permafrost on high peaks will result in more landslides/rockfalls /
melting glaciers could cause flooding;
p. Loss of biodiversity as high-altitude plants and animals lose habitat / some
species may not be able to tolerate higher temperatures resulting in loss of
populations (e.g. losses due to migration or death);
q. Climate change may cause more extreme weather leading to
heatwaves/droughts/flooding (adversely impacting human health/agricultural
productivity/infrastructure/housing);
r. Warmer/wetter conditions could lead to greater prevalence of invasive
species/diseases;
s. Hot and dry conditions could increase wildfire risk leading to loss of
biodiversity/property/tourism/increasing health risk;
t. Hotter temperatures may require use of air conditioning increasing demand
on electricity resources/energy use;

Note to examiner: reserve one mark for a balanced conclusion with a value
statement, such as: “While initially climate change may be beneficial in terms of
increased hydroelectric power generation, in the long run the loss of winter tourism
will mean that climate change will be detrimental for Switzerland’s economy.”
Do not credit the conclusion if only one side of the argument has been considered
within the overall response.
Accept other reasonable responses supported by the information in the resource
booklet.