RVHS Prelim H2 GEO P1 Soln

1 RVHS H2 GEOGRAPHY PAPER 1 PRELIMS 2018 1 (a) Explain how channel morphology changes downstream in a humid tropical drainage basin. [12] Indicative Content: A humid tropical drainage basin is characterised by abundant total annual precipitation, yet there might be seasonality of rainfall in the Am climate or negligible seasonality in Af climates. In any case, this signals the conditions enabling the work of perpetual streams due to a sufficiently shallow water table that constantly feeds streams through baseflow. In such a context, Bradshaw’s model and Schumm’s model would be suitable for explaining how channel morphology changes downstream in tande m with parallel changes to discharge and velocity. To account for these changes, it is helpful to analyse the interactions between channel form, channel energy and the contextual hydrological environment at different parts of the river’s long profile. (b) Using examples, discuss the factors contributing to the variation in channel patterns in a tropical drainage basin. [20] Indicative Content: Some of the largest drainage basins in the worl d occur in the tropical latitudes: the Mekong, Amazon and Nile river basins are obvious examples. Yet, they span a range of climatic, altitudinal and geological regions and hence display a vari ety of channel forms and patterns (even within different parts of the drainage basin. This essay discusses the interplay between these factors and contends that in view of a longer time scale in geological time, the current channel patterns and forms cannot be attributed to a dominant factor alone. Climate as a factor is central for the prima ry role of rainfall amount and seasonality in determining river regime. Most saliently hum id hydrology differs significantly from arid hydrology and both are characterized by distinct channel pattern and forms. Topographical factors like altitude and slope changes, as well as geological factors like jointing and rock type should be discussed through exampl es like braided channels and karst hydrology that demonstrate the influence of these factors together with tropical climates. Attempts to make synoptic links to human actions like deforestation and engineering are possible but should always relate clearly to the hydrological concepts directly altering channel pattern. 2 (a) Explain the role of water in the development of soils in the semi-arid and arid tropics. [12] Indicative Content: Soil development begins with the physical and chemical weathering of rocks and regolith exposed to the atmosphere and to the action of water percolating down from the earth surface. Even though the semi-arid and arid tropics experiences general moisture deficit, there can still be the occurrence of rainfall when the ITCZ is overhead. Processes of calcification and salinization should be discussed to explain the role water plays in the development of soils in the semi-arid and arid tropics. Characteristics of thin soils and limited soil profile development should also be discussed to illustrate the largely restricted processes of weathering and soil formation.

2 (b) The distinctive fluvial and aeolian landscapes of the arid tropics are shaped primarily by the ambient climatic conditions. Discuss. [20] Indicative Content: While it is valid to assert that the characteristic dryness of the arid tropics helps to create distinctive aeolian and fluvial landscapes, it is also important to highlight that landforms found in such arid environments are also a product of their underlying geological structure. The examples of yardangs, dunes and loess can be used and discussed to illustrate this understanding. Yardangs are formed by both fluvial and aeolian processes and sand dunes and loess are essentially aeolian landforms. However, their development also requires specific geological and topographical conditions. Opportunities to make synoptic links include references to the factors of geological time and climate change in influencing the development of yardangs, dunes and loess. 3 (a) Explain how global divisions of labour have changed since the start of the 20th Century. [12] Indicative Content: The notion of a global division of labour is founded on the observation that there is a geographical distribution of different forms of economic activity and pr oduction concentrating in different parts of the world, particularly al ong the division between what dependency theory and later world systems theory called the Core and the Periphery. The definition of the key phrase ‘g lobal divisions of labour’ may include both the traditionally named NIDL, as well as the subsequent shifts in tertiary industries (what some term the ‘2nd global shift’). Key patterns observed should include the changes in the distribution of manufacturing activity between the core economies and the periphery econom ies, the emergence of the semi-periphery and the accompanying shifts in services. Explanation of the key driving forces behind the New International Division of Labour (NIDL) should take into account the technological forces enabling economic globalization, vertical disintegration of manufacturing production as we ll as corporate rationalization by TNCs to establish global production netw orks through offshoring and outsourcing of different stages of vertically disintegrated manufacturing production or service provision. (b) With reference to examples, assess the role of international organisations in promoting development worldwide. [20] Indicative Content: The highly integrated and interconnected nature of the global economy today is one with multiple participants and stakeholders, and whose increasingly volatility and dynamism is as much influenced by free market forces as by the machinations and strategic planning of TNCs and national governments. The response should be prefaced by knowledge about the intended and potential role of international organisations such as global financial institutions: for regulation and promotion of trade, for lending and bolstering languishing economies, and for arbitration and accountability beyond the national scale. In recognizing that while international financial institutions like the IMF and the World Bank exist to promote development worldwide (largely through encouraging and regulating free trade), and have concretely intervened with such intentions, a critical evaluation also suggests that their influence has not promoted development uni versally, and may even have perpetuated the development gap that still exists in today’s global economy. Perceptive responses may discuss the unequal power between developing and developed member countries in deciding the rules of global governance.

3 Examples may include countries at lower levels of economic development for whom structural adjustment plans have been recommended follo wing economic crises, and a balanced response would critically evaluate both positive and negative implications of these recommendations. 4 (a) Explain the environmental impacts of extractive industries in countries at low levels of development. [12] Indicative Content: The extractive industry consists of any operations that remove metals, mineral and aggregates from the earth. Examples of extractive processes include oil and gas extraction, mining, dredging and quarrying. The value to society of the products of the extractive industry is undeniable. Nevertheless, despite their potential positive economic impacts, extractive activities tend to leave a strong environmental footprint that must be addressed. Discussions of the environmental impacts of extractive industries can include impacts on the natural ecosystem and habitat destruction, geomorphological changes to the surrounding landscapes, as well as pollution problems associated inappro