ASRJC 2023 J1 MYE Ans Key

ASRJC 2023 JC1 H2 GEOGRAPHY MYCT ANSWER GUIDE 1 Cluster 1: Development, Economy and Environment 1 Mangroves are a group of trees and shrubs that live in the coastal intertidal zone and have been acknowledged to help countries progress towards sustainable development. Resource 1 depicts the 17 Sustaina ble Development Goals (SDGs). Resource 2 shows the global distribution of mangroves in 2000. Resource 3 shows tree cover loss in mangroves from 2000 – 2012 across various regions. Resource 4 is an article explaining the benefits of mangroves and the challenges of mangrove restoration in Indonesia. (a) Using R esource 1, explain how the Sustainable Deve lopment Goals (SDGs) help countries to progress towards sustainable development. [5] Answer Guide: • Definition of sustainable development: o Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. • Brief explanation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): o Main objective: He lp coun tries to progress towards sustainable development in 17 different interlinked areas o What the goals are about: Economic g rowth and providing social needs while tackling environmental protection and climate change • Explain link between SDGs and SD: o Interdependence of the 3 dimensions of sustainable development: ▪ Sustainable development can only be achieved through interdependence in meeting goals in three dimensions – economic, social, and environmental dime nsions. Meanwhile, t he 17 SDGs are crafted such tha t the goals tog ether will help countries pursue goals across all 3 interdependent dimensions of sus tainable development. o Intergenerational aspect: ▪ By achieving outcomes in all 17 SDGs, this would ensure that there are sufficient resources on Earth t o mai ntain life for both the present and the future, which is the purp ose behind the concept of sustainable development. o How it helps countries progress towards sustainable development: ▪ Provides quantitative targets and indicators for each go al that countries should work towards • Use of examples: o Any appropriate use of examples from Resource 1 with explanation will be credited (b) With reference to Resource 2, describe the global distribution of mangroves in 2000. [4] Answer Guide: • Mangroves can be found in the co astal areas of most cont inents, with the exception of Antarctica. • Mangroves can be found mostly within the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. o Also, most mangroves are located closer to the Equator rather than Tropics of Cancer/ Capricorn. • Mangroves are most concentrated in Southeast Asia. • Mangroves are least concentrated in the Middle East , Africa, and the western coast of South America. o In fact, no mangroves can be found along the western coasts of South

ASRJC 2023 JC1 H2 GEOGRAPHY MYCT ANSWER GUIDE 2 America and Australia that are located within the Tropic s of Cancer and Capricorn. • There are more mangroves concentrated in the Eastern hemisphere as compared to the Western hemisphere of the world map. (c) Using Resource 3, compare the change in tre e cover loss in mangroves in Asia and Africa from 2000 to 2012. [4] Answer Guide: Asia Basis of Comparison Africa Generally experienced tree cover loss from 2000-2012. Asia experienced anything between 7,500 hectares to 21,000 hectares of tree cover loss per year from 2000 – 2012. Nature of change Generally experienced tree cover loss from 2000-2012. Africa experienced anything between 100 hectares to 1,000 hectares of tree cover loss per year from 2000 – 2012 Large extent of loss across the years. Asia experienced a larger increase in extent of loss per year from 2000 – 2012, from 7,500 hectares to 13,000 hectares. Extent of change Very small/ minimal extent of loss across the years Africa experienced a smaller increase in extent of loss per year from 2000 – 2012, from 100 hectares to 1,000 hectares. Large variations / fluctuations from year to year, from 2000 – 2012. Tree cover loss in mangroves in Asia saw a pattern of increases and decreased from 2000 – 2012. E.g. Increasing from 2001 to 2003 continually, fell from 2004 to 2007, and saw an increase again afterwards. Variability of change Little variations/ fluctuations from year to year, from 2000 – 2012. Tree cover loss in mangroves in Africa was rather consistent throughout the years, ranging only from 100 hectares to 1,000 hectares. (d) With reference to Re source 4, identi fy the ecosystem services that mangroves provide. [5] Answer Guide: Identification of ecosystem service Description of ecosystem service Reference to Resource 4

ASRJC 2023 JC1 H2 GEOGRAPHY MYCT ANSWER GUIDE 3 Regulating services Mangroves can help with moderation of extreme weather e vents / f lood control. “Mangroves can also withstand large waves and act as a barrier against t sunamis, protecting residents in coastal areas.” Mangroves can help with climate regulation. “Mangroves can absorb up to five times more carbon emission than a tree in an upl and area. Various studies have shown that mangroves and the soil beneath them can store up to 89 tonnes of carbon per hectare.” Provisioning services Mangroves provide products for basic human needs – e.g. wood from mangroves, etc. “They can a lso be processed for consumption or sale” Cultural services Mangroves provide non- material benefits such as spaces for recreation and tourism. “not to mention the potential for ecotourism.” (e) Explain how human activities might reduc e the ability of the environment to provide ecosystem services. [6] Answer Guide: In general , human activities have an impact on the availability and quality o f ecosystem services provided by the environment. Human activity Impact of human activity on the environment → Impact on the ability of the environment to provide ecosystem service Deforestation / Clearing of land Destruction of habitats. This happ ens when land is cleared in order to make space for urban dwellings, commercial production of crops and breeding of livestock Associated loss of plant and animal species which provide provisioning services to humans (e.g. food, medicines). Associated loss of environments that prov ide cultural services – e.g. in the forms of tourism and spiritual services. Use of agrochemicals and disposal of industrial waste (usually into water bodies) Pollution of natural environments, as the original quality of the environm ent is reduced / water body becomes contaminated. Negatively impacts habitats for biodiversity and the health of plant and animal species, which results in loss of provisioning services to humans as well. Introduction of Invading species can o ut- Negatively impacts supporting

ASRJC 2023 JC1 H2 GEOGRAPHY MYCT ANSWER GUIDE 4 invasive species compete and displac e native species as they are transferred to new environments through travel and transport services – e.g. by disrupting pollination or altering energy and nutrient flows. (f) With refer ence to Resource 4, explain the challenges of relying on mangro ve restoration to achieve sustainable development in Indonesia. [6] Answer Guide: Nature of challenge Description of challenge Explanation of challenge of relying on mangrove restoration to achieve SD Evidence from Resource 4 Economic challenges Lack of funding Mangrove restoration projects can help to achieve sustainable development, as they provide benefits to economic and social benefits to humans while protecting the environment. However, the lack of funding for mangrove resto ration in Indonesia in the f irst place is a barr