Option C - Managing extreme environments

Question 1

Salinisation

Answer 1

adding salt to the water

Question 2

Irrigation

Answer 2

controlled amounts of water to plants at needed intervals

Question 3

Challenges of farming in arid areas

Answer 3

lack of freshwater
abundance of heat and sunlight 
very low rainfall/short rainy season
saline soil or water
strong dry winds
poor soil structure
overgrazing
limited technological development
poor transport
thin soil with few minerals
a low organic content because of the low levels of biomass
lack of clay
e.g. Sahara desert

Question 4

Opportunities of farming in arid areas

Answer 4

oases (Douz, Tunisia), desalinisation plants and exotic rivers (river Nile)
rivers provide water for farming
irrigations - prevent problems with water shortage
use dams to store water for dry season
abundance of heat and sunlight for a long growing season
desalination plants provide plentiful supply of water

Question 5

Challenges for resource extraction in hot environments

Answer 5

sandstorms
hot climate/harsh climate (wind)
high diurnal large
inaccessible/remote
shortage of water -> require desalination plants
lack basic amenities -> need to be provided for miners
investment in transportation is expensive

Question 6

Resource nationalism

Answer 6

the tendency of people and governments to assert control over natural resources located on their territory

Question 7

Challenges for resource extraction in cold environments

Answer 7

inaccessibility
- limited transportation routes, building roads
- railways and pipelines for water is difficult
- mountainous areas
resource nationalism
- Greenland case study
permafrost
- heat from buildings, pipelines and changes in the vegetation cover
- throwing of permafrost increases the active layer

Question 8

Opportunities for resource extraction in cold environments

Answer 8

help the economies of the regions

Question 9

Opportunities of tourism in extreme environments

Answer 9

Economic:
economic development for poorer regions/countries
improvement in local income and employment
better chance of investment

Social:
development of infrastructure
development of tourism products

Cultural:
improved cultural understanding
chance for locals of tourism products

Political:
suitable conditions/visas from other nations for visits

Question 10

Challenges of tourism in extreme environments

Answer 10

Environmental:
major cause of environmental problems
mountain trekking destroys vegetation
makeshift toilets pollute streams and rivers
deforestation and road construction disrupt drainage patterns

Question 11

Opportunities for resource extraction in hot environments

Answer 11

many of these deposits are significant in size and have the potential to generate large earnings for TNCs/countries that develop them