OCR A Geography GCSE Paper 2 Case Studies

2.1: TRF = Puruvian Amazon, Coral Reef = Andros Barrier Reef

What percentage of the world’s bird species live in the Peruvian TRF?
[Val][En]

What percentage of the world’s bird species live in the Peruvian TRF?
[Val][En]

44%

What percentage of the world’s mammal species live in the Peruvian TRF?
[Val][En]

63%

What is the climate of the Peruvian TRF like?
- Avg. temp
- Avg. precipitation

Hot and wet:
- 28°C
- 2600mm

How many indigenous communities live within Peruvian TRF?
[Val][S]

63

How much money does the TRF contribute to Peru’s GDP?
[Val][Ec]

From tourism= $750 million - 4%.

What percentage of the world’s plant-derived cancer cures are found in TRF?
[Val][S]

75%

How many hydroelectric dams are planned to be built?
What is an advantage AND disadvantage of this?
[Peru TRF][En]

15 dams
Advantage: provides locals with jobs
Disadvantage: floods rainforest - destroying habitats, waste decomposes releases CO2

What could the consequences be of using the reserves of oil and natural gas for energy be?
[Peru TRF][En]

• Oil leaks → pollution

• Natural gas located in one of the most biodiverse parts of the rainforest → Roads and pipelines will cause deforestation, pollution & decreased biodiversity

What are the consequences of logging?
[Peru TRF][Threats][En+Ec]

• 97% of logging is illegal!

• Provides locals with jobs

• Water cycle effected - less evapotranspiration → less rainfall

• Carbon cycle - less CO2 removed from atmosphere

  • CO2 released (carbon sink)

• Loss of habitats → less biodiversity

What are the consequences of gold mining?
[Peru TRF][Threats][S+En]

• large-scale deforestation and loss of minerals

• mercury enters water sources → poisons animals & humans.

Where is the Purus-Manu Conservation Corridor located?
[Peru TRF][Management]

Southeast Peru, bordering Brazil in South America.
- Madre de Dios region.

What is the area of land protected by the Purus-Manu Conservation Corridor?
[Peru TRF][Management]

10 million hectares

How many forest concessions are there in the Purus-Manu Conservation Corridor?
Why are they there?
[Peru TRF][Management]

120 forest concessions
- Allow economic gain and jobs for locals
- Discourages illegal logging

Due to management, reduction in illegal logging has occurred in how many of the four river basins?

3/4

What are the characteristics for coral reefs?
[Andros CR]

• Warmth - 18°C+ water

• Shallow water (less than 25m deep) - corals feed on photosynthetic algae, which need light.

• Clear water - sediment reduces light → affects coral’s ability to feed

Describe the interdependent relationship between zooxanthellae and polyps.

Polyps provide zooxanthellae with shelter and CO2, which it needs to photosynthesise.
Zooxanthellae provides coral with food (glucose, glycerol and amino acids) and oxygen.

Where is the Andros Barrier Reef located?

In Caribbean sea, east of Andros island of the Bahamas. Along Tropic of Cancer.

How many people in LICs worldwide rely on coral reefs for food?
[Val][S]

1 billion.

How much money does the Andros Barrier Reef provide to the Bahamas’ GDP?
[Val][Ec]

From Tourism = $150 million - 50%

What percentage of the world’s marine species live within coral reefs?
[Val][En]

25%

Where may cancer cures be found in a coral reef?
[Val][S]

chemicals released by coral

What effects can overfishing have on coral reefs?
[Andros CR][Threats][En]

• Corals killed by physical contact from anchors; nets; boat hulls; hands/feet.

• Overfishing one species impacts interdependent relationships and food chain.

What are the consequences of global warming on a coral reef?
[Andros CR][Threats][En]

• Stress reaction in corals → expulsion of zooxanthellae → impacts nutrient flows → causes coral bleaching.

  • Food chain impacted.

What impact can land-based pollution have on coral reefs?
[Andros CR][Threats][En]

Decrease of light passing through the water reduces algae’s’ photosynthesis and corals’ ability to feed.

What does the Andros Westside National Park do?
[Andros CR][Management]

• Western half of Andros Island - covers 1.5 million acres.

• Areas of the reef are protected.

  • Fishing and scuba diving are regulated

What does the North Marine Park do?
[Andros CR][Management]

• North Andros - 5000 acres

• Protects coral reefs and parks on land

  • Sustainable fishing and eco-tourism.

What does the Crab Replenishment Reserve do?
[Andros CR][Management]

• Central Andros - 4000 acres

• Protects land where crabs burrow and deposit eggs

  • Support crab population (which is a food source in Andros)

What does the Coral Nursery do?
[Andros CR][Management]

• Coral at risk of dying are cut and replanted in more ideal growing conditions.