GCSE GEOGRAPHY PAPER 3 PHYSICAL FIELDWORK

What was the enquiry question for the physical fieldwork

To investigate which physical and human factors influence flood risk in Church Stretton, by observing changes in river characteristics and surrounding land use.

What theory was the physical fieldwork based on

The Bradshaw Model, which predicts that as a river moves downstream, its discharge, velocity, width, and depth all increase while bedload becomes smaller and rounder.

What physical factors influence flood risk in Church Stretton?

Increased velocity downstream (from 0.22 to 0.52m/s) means water travels faster, raising flood risk.

Shallow river depth during summer may reduce flood signs now but not in wetter seasons.

Limited data from only 3 sites affects accuracy.

What human factors influence flood risk in Church Stretton?

Removal of hedgerows, vegetation, and natural land cover for car parks and playing fields increases surface runoff.

Church Stretton has impermeable surfaces (roads, buildings), which reduce infiltration.

Managed floodplains direct water to specific areas like playing fields.

What were the physical results of the fieldwork

The velocity of the river increased downstream, from 0.22m/s at site 1 to 0.52m/s at site 3. This supports the Bradshaw Model.

What were the human results of the fieldwork

Removal of hedgerows and vegetation, along with increased impermeable surfaces, such as roads and car parks, increased surface runoff. This likely contributes to higher flood risks in areas such as Church Stretton.

What other factors could contribute to flooding which are not considered in the investigation

Bed load, vegetation, slope angle, and discharge

What environmental conditions may affect flooding

Weather conditions, such as rainfall intensity and different seasons, could have an impact. The fieldwork was carried out in the summer, which meant that water levels were lower than expected for other seasons.

What equipment was used to measure the velocity of the river

Corks were dropped at 10-meter intervals, and time was measured using a stopwatch.

What weaknesses were identified in the velocity measurement method

The method did not measure velocity at different parts of the river, and the corks sometimes got stuck. The equipment used (stopwatch, measuring tape) may have introduced human error, affecting accuracy.

What was the land use map used for

The map was used to show the different types of land use along the river and to identify areas where human modifications, like impermeable surfaces, may influence flood risk.

What issues are there with the land use map

The land use map only considered the current land use, not past or future changes, and it was based on a subjective interpretation of land use zones.

What improvements could be made to the investigation

More sites should be surveyed, with a larger sample size to give a broader overview.

Visiting at different times of the year could show how flooding changes seasonally.

Using a flow meter instead of corks and stopwatches would reduce human error.

What issues were encountered during the fieldwork

Limited access to some sites

low river levels due to dry weather

issues with equipment such as the corks getting stuck and the measuring tape being difficult to manage in some areas.

What changes would improve the fieldwork

Visiting more sites at different times of the year

using better equipment like flow meters would improve accuracy.

Increasing the sample size and improving data collection techniques would lead to more reliable results.

What are the risks of the fieldwork and how are they reduced?

1) Drowning-use local weather rain forecasts to ensure river levels were safe to enter

2) Weil’s Disease which is caused by rat urine. Avoid any river water entering the mouth and any cuts are covered in a plaster.

Why is this location suitable for our physical fieldwork enquiry?

1) Easy access by coach. Pedestrianized so only pedestrians were permitted on walkways.

2) 3 sites chosen were safe with steady water flow