OCR A-Level Geography Physical systems (01), June 2025: Question 4

Question Answer Mark Guidance

4 (a) (i) Study Fig. 4 which shows atmospheric carbon 3 AO3 – 1 marks

dioxide, 1960-2021. AO3 x3 3 x 1 (✓) for identification of limitations of this line

Identify THREE limitations of this graph. graph.

• Lack of information on potential bias – who has Allow any appropriate limitation

recorded the information and why ( )

• Timeline relatively short for global atmospheric

carbon change ( )

• No key to indicate difference between the two

types of line on the graph ( )

• The two lines on the graph are the same colour

so hard to distinguish them ( )

• The graph does not indicate where the data was

collected / located ( )

• Intervals on the scale are too broad so you can’t

read precise data ( )

• Data only shows to 2021 so is outdated ( )

• Difficult to read accurate data measurements

( )

• Does not show temporal variations (diurnal /

monthly) ( )

4 (a) (ii) Suggest why it is important to identify and record 4 AO2 – 4 marks

changes to the global carbon cycle. AO2 x4 4 x 1 (✓) for appropriate reasons, or

• The potential damage of increasing atmospheric 3 x 1 (✓) for appropriate reasons and 1 x 1 (DEV) for

carbon is widespread ( ) so monitoring is three reasons with one developed or

essential, enabling effective management to be

implemented e.g. carbon capture (DEV) 2 x 1 (✓) and 2 x 1 (DEV) for two appropriate reasons

• Monitoring allows us to identify trends / patterns and development or

( ) allowing appropriate mitigation strategies /

management to be implemented (DEV) 1 x 1 (✓) and 3 x 1 (DEV) for one appropriate reason

• Records of change allow GIS mapping showing with extended development of why it is important to

anomalies and trends effectively ( ) illustrating identify and record changes to the global carbon cycle.

need for different levels of management or

mitigation across the world (DEV)

• Carbon is vital for life so it’s important to monitor

changes ( ) and the impact of anthropogenic

emissions through burning fossil fuels (DEV)

which allows evidence for mitigation strategies

(DEV)

• We need to monitor the carbon cycle to identify

thresholds to see if we are reaching a tipping

point ( ) so we can understand what may be

causing these changes (DEV) and therefore

implement appropriate mitigation (DEV). We can

also evaluate the effectiveness of this mitigation

through continuous monitoring (DEV)

4 (b) Examine the significance of the role of the 10 Indicative content

cryosphere (ice) in linking the water and carbon AO1 6 AO1 – 6 marks

cycles. AO2 4 Knowledge and understanding of the role of the

cryosphere (ice) in linking the water and carbon cycles

Level 3 (7-10 marks) could potentially include:

Demonstrates thorough knowledge and understanding • Cryosphere is a store of both water and carbon

of the role of the cryosphere (ice) in linking the water • Rising temperature results in melting of the

and carbon cycles (AO1). cryosphere. This leads to the release of carbon

to the atmosphere, further increasing

Demonstrates thorough application of knowledge and temperatures so more ice melts and pools of

understanding to provide a detailed evaluation that water can gather on the surface due to limited

offers generally secure judgements with some links infiltration

between rational conclusions and evidence regarding • Melting of the cryosphere results in some plant

the significance of the role of cryosphere (ice) in linking growth, which requires water for photosynthesis.

the water and carbon cycles (AO2). As plants grow, they take in more CO2 from the

atmosphere

• Permafrost melting exposes organic material to

oxidation and decomposition which releases

This will be shown by including well-developed ideas CO2 and CH4. This causes a rise in

about the significance of the role of cryosphere (ice) in temperatures and further melting which can

linking the water and carbon cycles. increase surface run off

• CO2 levels in the atmosphere determine the

Level 2 (4-6 marks) intensity of the greenhouse effect and the

Demonstrates reasonable knowledge and melting of the cryosphere. Due to the

understanding of the role of cryosphere (ice) in linking impermeability of the permafrost, water can pool

the water and carbon cycles (AO1). on the surface leading to limited evaporation

taking place

Demonstrates reasonable application of knowledge

and understanding to provide a sound evaluation that AO2 – 4 marks

offers generalised judgements and conclusions, with Apply knowledge and understanding to provide a

limited use of evidence regarding the significance of the detailed evaluation of the significance of the role of the

role of cryosphere (ice) in linking the water and carbon cryosphere (ice) in linking the water and carbon cycles

cycles (AO2). could potentially include:

• Significance could be in terms of temporal or

This will be shown by including developed ideas about spatial scales e.g. seasonal change, short term

the significance of the role of cryosphere (ice) in linking cycling is significant to continual functioning of

the water and carbon cycles. the cycles

• Disturbance of the cycles in equilibrium and

Level 1 (1–3 marks) subsequent positive or negative feedback e.g.

Demonstrates basic knowledge and understanding of reduced precipitation, means less water to be

the role of cryosphere (ice) in linking the water and accumulated in glaciers

carbon cycles (AO1).

• Decomposition very slow reducing carbon

content in the soil (only 0.01%)

Demonstrates basic application of knowledge and

understanding to provide an evaluation about the • Consideration of how significance varies with

significance of the role of cryosphere (ice) in linking the temperature e.g. seasonal variations

water and carbon cycles (AO2). • The extent to which the role of cryosphere links

the cycles is of limited significance when

This will be shown by including some ideas about the compared to other links e.g. vegetation and

significance of the role of cryosphere (ice) in linking the animals combined contain 2000 billion tonnes of

water and carbon cycles. carbon, whereas oceans contain 38,000 giga

tonnes of carbon – however all required to keep

the cycles functioning

0 marks

No response or no response worthy of credit.

4 (c*) ‘Improving forestry techniques protects the global 16 Indicative content

water cycle more effectively than drainage basin AO1 8 AO1 – 8 marks

planning’. How far do you agree with the AO2 8 Knowledge and understanding of forestry techniques,

statement? drainage basin planning and global water cycle could

potentially include:

AO1 • Forestry techniques e.g. afforestation, protection

Level 3 (6–8 marks) schemes e.g. REDD / FCPF / ARPA

Demonstrates thorough knowledge and understanding • Drainage basin planning e.g. scale appropriate

of forestry techniques, drainage basin planning and for holistic management between users, flow

global water cycle. targets, surface water storage

• Global water cycle

The answer should include accurate place-specific • Processes e.g. infiltration, percolation,

detail. precipitation, transpiration, condensation,

evaporation

Level 2 (3–5 marks) • Stores e.g. channel, atmosphere, vegetation,

Demonstrates reasonable knowledge and surface, soil moisture, groundwater

understanding of forestry techniques, drainage basin

planning and global water cycle. AO2 – 8 marks

Apply knowledge and understanding to analyse and

The answer should include some place-specific detail evaluate whether improved forestry techniques protects

which is partially accurate. the global water cycle more effectively than drainage

basin planning could potentially include:

Level 1 (1–2 marks) • Expect range of evaluation – candidates may

Demonstrates basic knowledge and understanding of compare over temporal or spatial scales

forestry techniques, drainage basin planning and global • Role in protecting global water cycle can vary

water cycle.

depending on use of case study

There is an attempt to include place-specific detail but • Drainage basin planning allows for targets to be

it is inaccurate. set across a variety of flows e.g. reducing run-off

which could include afforestation to do that,

however drainage basin planning includes a

0 marks more holistic management of the drainage basin

No response or no response worthy of credit. which is more effective as it addresses the

system as a whole e.g. including water quality

and abstraction rates within the basin

AO2 • Afforestation is more effective for LIDCs and

Level 3 (6-8 marks) EDCs e.g. Brazil where afforestation has

Demonstrates thorough application of knowledge and stabilised the regional water cycle, supported

understanding to provide a clear and developed indigenous forest communities and promoted

analysis that shows accuracy. Includes a detailed ecotourism encouraging small scale local

evaluation that offers generally secure judgements, with communities and bringing sustainable economic

some link between rational conclusions and evidence options. Promoting social and economic

regarding whether improved forestry techniques sustainability makes it more likely that this action

protects the global water cycle more effectively than will continue, which influences the global water

drainage basin planning. cycle more

• Afforestation offsets 430 million tonnes of

Level 2 (3-5 marks) carbon per annum in Brazil alone having a

Demonstrate reasonable application of knowledge and significant impact on the global water cycle as

understanding to provide a sound analysis that shows this reduces global warming

some accuracy. Includes a sound evaluation about • The effectiveness of improving forest techniques

whether improved forestry techniques protects the can vary according to the political leadership at

global water cycle more effectively than drainage basin the time eg Bolsonaro v Lula da Silva

planning. Judgements and conclusions are generalised,

with limited use of evidence. • Drainage basin planning is more effective at a

global scale as it includes a wider variety of

management that can target a variety of stores

Level 1 (1-2 marks)

rather than just vegetation e.g. reducing artificial

Application of knowledge and understanding is basic.

drainage, or increasing flood storage areas,

Analysis is simple with limited accuracy. Evaluation is

restricting floodplain development

un-supported and offers simple conclusions with regard

to whether improved forestry techniques protects the

global water cycle more effectively than drainage basin Highest level likely to refer to dynamic equilibrium /

planning. spatial variations / temporal variations

0 marks

No response or no response worthy of credit.

Quality of extended response

Level 3

There is a well-developed line of reasoning which is

clear and logically structured. The information

presented is relevant and substantiated.

Level 2

There is a line of reasoning presented with some

structure. The information presented is in the most-part

relevant and supported by some evidence.

Level 1

The information is basic and communicated in an

unstructured way. The information is supported by

limited evidence and the relationship to the evidence

may not be clear.