Geography - Paper 2, Section C

Key Concepts of Resource Management -

What is a resource?

A stock / supply of something that has valye / purpose, e.g. food, water, energy.

Key Concepts of Resource Management -

What is resource management?

The control + monitoring of resources so that they don’t become depleted / exhausted.

Key Concepts of Resource Management -

Why are food, water, + energy significant for economic + social wellbeing?

They are essential for health, productivity, economic development, + reducing inequality.

Resource Management in the UK - Food

Why has demand for exotic foods increased in the UK?

Rising incomes, consumer choice, demand for seasonal produce year-round.

Resource Management in the UK - Food

What is the environmental impact of food imports?

Increased food miles, carbon footprint, pollution from transport.

Resource Management in the UK - Food

What is organic farming?

A method of farming that avoids chemical fertilisers + pesticides, promoting biodiversity.

Resource Management in the UK - Food

What are agribusinesses?

Large-scale, industrial farming operations focused on maximising output.

Resource Management in the UK - Water

What is water surplus + water deficity?

Surplus = more water than needed; Deficit = less water than needed.

Resource Management in the UK - Water

Where in the UK is there water surplus + deficit?

Surplus in the north + west; deficit in the south + east.

Resource Management in the UK - Water

What is water transfer + give an example.

Moving water from areas of surplus to deficit; e.g. Kielder Water transferring to North East England.

Resource Management in the UK - Water

What are the disadvantages of water transfer schemes?

Expensive, environmental damage, displacement of people, political conflict.

Resource Management in the UK - Energy

What is the UK’s energy mix?

The variety of energy sources used - includes fossil fuels, nuclear, + renewables.

Resource Management in the UK - Energy

Why is the UK’s energy mix changing?

Decline of coal, increased investment in renewables, climate change targets.

Resource Management in the UK - Energy

What are the economic + environmental issues of exploiting energy sources?

High costs of nuclear + renewables, visual pollution, habitat loss, CO2 emissions.

Global Distribution of Water Resources -

Where are water supplies most scarce globally?

Parts of Africa, the Middle East, + Central Asia due to low rainfall + high population.

Global Distribution of Water Resources -

What is water security?

Having reliable + sustainable access to enough safe water to meet needs.

Global Distribution of Water Resources -

What is water insecurity?

When water availability is insufficient to ensure good health + livelihoods.

Causes of Water Insecurity -

Name four causes of water insecurity.

Climate variability, over-abstraction, pollution, limited infrastructure, poverty.

Causes of Water Insecurity -

How does over-abstraction lead to water insecurity?

Excessive water removal from rivers, lakes / aquifers reduces supply + damages ecosystems.

Causes of Water Insecurity -

How does climate change affect water availability?

Alters rainfall patterns, causes droughts + floods, melts glaciers.

Impacts of Water Insecurity -

What are the impacts of water insecurity?

Food + water shortages, conflict, disease, reduced industrial + energy output.

Impacts of Water Insecurity -

How can water insecurity lead to conflict?

Shared river/aquifers can cause disputes between countries over usage.

Increasing Water Supply -

What are the strategies for increasing water supply?

Dams + reservoirs, water transfer, desalination, recycling grey water.

Increasing Water Supply -

What is desalination?

The process of removing salt from seawater to make it drinkable.

Increasing Water Supply -

What are the disadvantages of desalination?

Expensive, energy-intensive, produces brine waste.

Increasing Water Supply -

What is sustainable water management?

Using water resources in a way that meets current + future needs w/out environmental harm.

Case Study: Large-Scale Water Transfer Scheme - China’s South-North Water Transfer -

Why was the South-North Water Transfer Project developed?

To move water from the water-rich south to the drought-prone north.

Case Study: Large-Scale Water Transfer Scheme - China’s South-North Water Transfer -

What are the advantages of the scheme?

Reduces water shortage in the north, supports farming + industry, boosts economy.

Case Study: Large-Scale Water Transfer Scheme - China’s South-North Water Transfer -

What are the disadvantages of the scheme?

High cost ($62 billion +), displacement of people, ecological damage, water loss through evaporation.

Case Study: Local Sustainable Water Management - Wakel River Basin, India -

What is the Wakel River Basin project?

A local scheme using traditional + low-tech solutions to improve water availability.

Case Study: Local Sustainable Water Management - Wakel River Basin, India -

What techniques are used in Wakel Basin?

Johed (small earth dams), taankas (underground storage), education on water conservation.

Case Study: Local Sustainable Water Management - Wakel River Basin, India -

What are the benefits of this scheme?

Increases water security, restores groundwater, empowers local people, low environmental impact.