Edexcel GCSE Geography Syllabus A Unit B5 (option): Managing the environment

Key Ideas

Content

Content detail

Case Studies

5.1 Coasts are under threat and need to be managed.

• A study of the causes, effects and management of cliff recession.

• The advantages and disadvantages of these techniques, and the conflicts of interest involved.

• Cliff recession with reference to process and geology. The effects in relation to both the human and natural environments. Management techniques include hard engineering (groynes, gabions, sea walls) and soft engineering (beach replenishment, dune stabilisation, managed retreat).

• An evaluation of the impact of the management techniques, both in the local area and more widely. The views of different groups and individuals should be considered.

• Barton-on-Sea

5.2 River floods are the result of human and physical factors

• A study of the causes, effects and management of river flooding.

• The advantages and disadvantages of the management, and the conflicts of interest involved.

• Human factors and physical processes should be considered. The effects in relation to both the human and natural environments. Management techniques should include both hard engineering, eg, raising embankments and straightening channels and soft engineering, eg, reinstating the flood plain and designating wetlands.

• An evaluation of the impact of the management techniques, both in the local area and more widely. This can illustrate the physical interdependence of environments. The views of different groups and individuals should be considered.

5.3 Fragile environments require sustainable management

• Choose two forms of damage to fragile environments, one caused by farming, and one caused by resource exploitation. Studies of the causes and effects of the damage caused, one in the context of an LEDC and one from an MEDC. An evaluation of the possible management issues involved, and the attitudes of the decision-makers.