B (15 marker) Describe the fieldwork and research you would undertake in order to investigate the impacts of a named extreme weather event.
river flooding
The specification indicates the range of impacts may be social, environmental or economic. In the context of fieldwork and research it may be difficult to investigate all of these in any depth, although large events may have measurable / reported economic impact. Other impacts on health, infrastructure etc could also be suggested.
Choose ONE extreme event only
Fieldwork (primary):
Flooding evidence can come from qualitative sources, e.g. historic / eye witness accounts. Use of interviews / focus groups. Evidence of levels may be anecdotal, i.e. come from marks on walls, ‘strand-lines’ etc, previous signs of damage. May also be some quantification of bankfull levels etc; use of hardware models, e.g. storm simulation. Also credit work which looks at perception of risk / impact, e.g. via interviews.
Research (secondary):
Use of various sources to get a picture of flood extent, especially GIS EA maps; also flood risk maps for insurance companies. Historic newspaper cuttings / reports and other documentary evidence e.g. newcasts etc
The best responses will provide detailed evidence of specific sources, e.g. specialist weather websites etc, National Rivers Flow Archive (NRFA), NOAA rather than ‘the internet’.
river flooding
The specification indicates the range of impacts may be social, environmental or economic. In the context of fieldwork and research it may be difficult to investigate all of these in any depth, although large events may have measurable / reported economic impact. Other impacts on health, infrastructure etc could also be suggested.
Choose ONE extreme event only
Fieldwork (primary):
Flooding evidence can come from qualitative sources, e.g. historic / eye witness accounts. Use of interviews / focus groups. Evidence of levels may be anecdotal, i.e. come from marks on walls, ‘strand-lines’ etc, previous signs of damage. May also be some quantification of bankfull levels etc; use of hardware models, e.g. storm simulation. Also credit work which looks at perception of risk / impact, e.g. via interviews.
Research (secondary):
Use of various sources to get a picture of flood extent, especially GIS EA maps; also flood risk maps for insurance companies. Historic newspaper cuttings / reports and other documentary evidence e.g. newcasts etc
The best responses will provide detailed evidence of specific sources, e.g. specialist weather websites etc, National Rivers Flow Archive (NRFA), NOAA rather than ‘the internet’.
C (10 Marker)
Using examples, explain how different strategies can be used to reduce the impact of drought. (10)
Drought is a natural hazard, it has a slow onset, and it evolves over months or even years. It may affect a large region and causes little structural damage. The impacts of drought can be reduced through preparedness and mitigation.
The key words to use in you answer are top down, bottom up sustainable cost effective environmental
The key strategies would be magic stones, deep wells for access to groundwater, effective irrigation, rainwater storage
In highly developed countries cloud seeding and water transfer schemes may be an option.
Using examples, explain how different strategies can be used to reduce the impact of drought. (10)
Drought is a natural hazard, it has a slow onset, and it evolves over months or even years. It may affect a large region and causes little structural damage. The impacts of drought can be reduced through preparedness and mitigation.
- Prediction
- Monitoring
- Impact assessment
- Response.
The key words to use in you answer are top down, bottom up sustainable cost effective environmental
The key strategies would be magic stones, deep wells for access to groundwater, effective irrigation, rainwater storage
In highly developed countries cloud seeding and water transfer schemes may be an option.