QB 05 Essay 01 e

Senior Secondary Exploring Geography (Third Edition) Part 5
Question Bank Short essays
[Note to teachers: The introduction and conclusion suggested here only serve as an example. Since
different students may adopt different approaches when writing the essays, they should write the
introduction and conclusion in line with their argument.]
1 Describe the physical farming constraints in the Sahel. Evaluate the effectiveness of irrigation in
overcoming these farming constraints. (12 marks)
• Introduction
The Sahel encounters various physical farming constraints, including water shortages and poor
soil. Irrigation would be one of the ways to overcome these constraints. It is commonly used in
semi-arid and arid areas where dry conditions and unreliable rainfall occur.
• Description of the physical farming constraints in the Sahel (6 marks)
Water shortages:
- affected by tropical semi-arid climate
- low and unreliable annual rainfall ranging from 200 mm in the north to 600 mm in the
south
- uneven distribution of rainfall with a distinct dry season from November to April
- persistently lower-than-average rainfall in the Sahel in recent decades/frequent and
persistent drought further reduces local farm production
- high annual mean temperature ranging from 25˚C to 30˚C result in high evaporation/
evapotranspiration rate
- only the River Niger and the River Nile draining a relative small area in the Sahel
Poor soil:
- thin and infertile sandy soil with low humus content
- low water-retaining capacity of soil, making it vulnerable to wind and water erosion
Sparse vegetation:
- the poor soil and harsh climate can only support sparse vegetation such as scattered grass
and thorny shrubs. This results in low content of organic matter in soil, causing poor crop
yield
- the sparse vegetation cannot support livestock rearing in one place throughout the year
- the above constraints affect the choice of crops and the growing seasons of crops for
sedentary arable farming as well as the regeneration of pasture for nomadic herding/
transhumance
• Evaluation on the effectiveness of irrigation in overcoming farming constraints in the Sahel
(6 marks)
Effective:
© Oxford University Press (China) Ltd 2019 1

- it is effective for the following reasons

- ensure a timely, adequate and reliable water supply
- overcome dry conditions, low annual rainfall and uneven distribution of rainfall
- act as supplement of rainfall for crops and pasture
- water can come from groundwater and water diverted from other regions, so it is less
affected by climatic constraints
- nomadic people can practise sedentary pastoral farming or arable farming to meet the
growing demand for food
- can turn arid marginal land into productive land and thus increase farm productivity
- irrigation is simple and cost effective to improve farm production
Ineffective/Limitations:
- it is ineffective for the following reasons
- poor drainage in the region makes it difficult to carry out irrigation
- high evapotranspiration rate in northern Sahel reduces the effectiveness of the irrigation
- improper irrigation and over-irrigation increase salt content in the soil. Accumulation of
salt on the topsoil through capillary action leads to soil salinization, reducing the
productivity of the land
- over-extraction of water for irrigation can lead to a drop of water table and depletion of
groundwater aquifers
- nomadic herding/transhumance is the major farming activity in northern Sahel occupying a
large area. Wide implementation of irrigation for pasture growth may not be feasible
- low literacy rate and technological know-how make irrigation less feasible on the whole
- lack of favourable agricultural policies and capital in the Sahel for setting up the large-
scale irrigation systems
- frequent wars and conflict may destroy the irrigation systems
- irrigation can only overcome the constraint of water shortages, not poor soil
Other methods in overcoming the farming constraints (optional):
- soil conservation measures such as agroforestry and planting windbreaks can control soil
erosion and protect the soil from wind erosion
- mulching increases the organic matter in the soil while growing nitrogen-fixing trees
increases soil nutrients. Both measures help improve the soil fertility
- water conservation measures such as cover cropping and mulching help keep the soil
moisture and increase the water-holding capacity of soil
• Conclusion
Irrigation is an effective measure to overcome the dry condition and unreliable rainfall.

However, it is not suitable for all parts of the Sahel and there are some limitations. To
overcome all the physical farming constraints in the region, sustainable farming methods which
conserve soil and water are recommended.
(A clear stance should be taken. Arguments should be logical and well-elaborated with relevant
geographical concepts. Maximum marks can be awarded even if only one side of the argument is
presented.)
2 Large-scale food shortages in some countries are the result of physical factors.
Explain the physical causes of food shortages in the Sahel. Discuss the effectiveness of food aids in
tackling the food shortage problem. (12 marks)
• Introduction
Food shortages occur when the food supply cannot meet the food demand. Large-scale food
shortages can be found in the Sahel region, for instance, Sudan and South Sudan. Physical
factors can explain the food shortages in this region. Food aids, provided by the NGOs or
MDCs, are often a measure to increase food supply to the needed population.
• Explanation of the physical causes of food shortages in the Sahel (6 marks)
- affected by tropical semi-arid climate
- low and unreliable annual rainfall ranging from 200 mm in the north to 600 mm in the
south
- uneven distribution of rainfall with a distinct dry season from November to April
- a lack of major rivers running through the Sahel, reducing the amount of irrigation water
available
- lead to insufficient water supply for farming/water shortages
- this reduces the choice of crops and shorten the growing season of crops/pastures are
insufficient to sustain livestock rearing in a place, resulting in low output
- persistently lower-than-average rainfall in the Sahel in recent decades further reduces crop
yield/lead to crop failure/reduces yield from livestock
- high annual mean temperature ranging from 25˚C to 30˚C leads to high evaporation/
evapotranspiration rate
- soil salinization, land degradation and low humidity resulted adversely affect farm
productivity and local food supply
- increasing use of marginal land/thin and infertile soil leads to widespread soil erosion,
reducing the land available for both arable farming and livestock rearing
• Discussion on the effectiveness of food aids in tackling food shortage problem (6 marks)
Effective:


- provide immediate food assistance by donating food to the affected places
- reduce the impact of food shortages and lower the risk of famine
- alleviate the food access problem
- the quality and quantity of food available are also improved
- cannot sustain food supply in the long run when food aids are ceased
- food aids alleviate the immediate effect of food shortages/food insecurity, but not the root
cause of the problem
- farmers may heavily rely on the food aids and have less motivation to engage in food
production
- the competitiveness of local farm produce may be affected
- food aids do not improve the agricultural skills for food production
Other measures to increase food supply and food access in the Sahel (optional):
- promoting sustainable agriculture to increase food supply and farm income, and therefore
food access
- improving supporting infrastructures such as transport network to increase food access
- improving the education of farmers so that they can adopt suitable farming technology to
farm and therefore increase food supply
- diversifying the income of rural people so that they can afford to buy food in the market
• Conclusion
Food shortages occur when food supply cannot meet the food demand. This is caused by a
combination of physical and socio-economic factors. In short term, food aids can alleviate the
impact of food shortages, but alternatives must be considered to promote sustainable food
supply in the long run.
presented.)
3 Describe the farming technologies employed by farmers in southern California in overcoming the
constraint of low rainfall. Discuss whether these technologies can be adopted by farmers in the
Sahel to overcome the problem of drought. (12 marks)
• Introduction
Southern California faces the farming constraint of low rainfall. To overcome this constraint,

farmers in southern California adopt different farming technologies and they are able to have
large farm output. The Sahel is facing similar farming constraint of drought. However, farmers
in this region may not be able to adopt the technologies used in southern California to
overcome the drought problem.
• Description of the farming technologies employed by farmers in southern California in
overcoming the constraint of low rainfall (6 marks)
- construct various water schemes/canals and aqueducts to transfer water from large rivers
to farms
- adopt different methods of irrigation, including gravity flow irrigation, sprinkler irrigation
and drip irrigation
- irrigation provides reliable water to farms all year round
- use biotechnology to select crops that are more productive in conditions of insufficient
rainfall/grow drought-resistant crops/hybrid crops
- precision agriculture: farmers adopt different information technologies such as GIS, GPS
devices, remote sensing, telecommunications, mobile computing and advanced
information processing for farming. The field and crop conditions are measured and
recorded by remote sensing in real time. The data collected are used to decide when and
how much water should be applied to crops and soil. Irrigation water can be applied
precisely and effectively
• Discussion on whether these technologies can be adopted by farmers in the Sahel to overcome
the problem of drought (6 marks)
Can be adopted:
- they can be adopted for the following reasons
- irrigation system can be set up in the regions near the River Nile and the River Niger, and
Lake Chad
- irrigation water can also come from groundwater/boreholes
- gravity flow irrigation does not need much technology as water flows under gravity
- farmers in the Sahel can join different irrigation projects funded by the NGOs such as the
World Bank and the FAO
- they can also obtain seeds of drought-resistant crops donated by the NGOs
- some politically stable governments such as Malian government can support farmers with
research on drought-resistant crop species/hybrid species
Cannot be adopted:
- they cannot be adopted for the following reasons
- most places in the Sahel are not covered by large rivers. Lake Chad is also small. It is not

possible to divert water for irrigation from rivers

- irrigation system, if not carefully managed, will cause salinization of soil
- the high evaporation rate in the Sahel also makes irrigation less effective
- most people in the Sahel practise nomadic herding. The land does not belong to them and
they will not pay for the installation of irrigation system
- the Sahel is a less developed region. Poor farmers cannot afford to use modern
technologies. In addition, low education level/farmers do not have the technological
know-how on using modern technologies. Poorest farmers may not be benefited
- political instability displace people and irrigation systems may easily be destroyed
- unstable governments do not have favourable agricultural policies/do not support
agricultural research
Other measures (optional):
- adopt sustainable farming methods which can conserve water, such as cover cropping,
mulching, conservation tillage
- they are relatively cheap and poor farmers in the Sahel can afford
- practise dry farming in the south/regions with higher rainfall
- apply methods to save water that fit the local conditions, such as digging small pits in the
field to catch water, rainwater harvesting
• Conclusion
Farmers in southern California can make use of farming technologies to overcome the
constraints of low rainfall. However, their success may not be applicable to the less developed
Sahel. It is due to the different physical and social environment of the region.
presented.)
4 Explain how over-irrigation may lead to salinization of soil in southern California. Discuss whether
land degradation is inevitable if farming technology is adopted. (12 marks)
• Introduction
In southern California, irrigation is a common farming technology adopted to support crop
growth. Due to the high summer temperature in the region, over-irrigation may result in
salinization of soil. However, not all farming technology will lead to land degradation.
• Explanation of how over-irrigation may lead to salinization of soil in southern California
(6 marks)
- farmers adopt irrigation methods such as sprinkler irrigation and gravity flow irrigation in

the drier inland regions in southern California

- when large amounts of water are applied to the soil, there is excess water in the soil. Salts
in the soil are dissolved
- as the drier inland regions have tropical semi-arid climate, they are hot and dry.
Evaporation rate is high. The dissolved salts are drawn upward by the process of capillary
action or brought to the topsoil together with water
- salt accumulates in the topsoil and land surface when water evaporates. A crust of salt on
the surface of the land is formed. The salt content in the soil is high. Salinization of soil is
resulted and the land will become unproductive
• Discussion on whether land degradation is inevitable if farming technology is adopted
(6 marks)
Land degradation is inevitable:
- land degradation is inevitable due to the following reasons
- improper irrigation leads to salinization of soil
- deep ploughing caused by the use of powerful ploughing machines loosens the soil,
leading to the erosion of the topsoil by strong wind and heavy rain
- heavy machines can compact the soil. Soil compaction results in a slow-down in
infiltration and an increase in surface run-off, which accelerates water erosion and the
erosion of the topsoil. When the topsoil is eroded, the fertility and productivity of the
remaining soil will decrease
- overusing pesticides kill soil organisms including bacteria and fungi. This slows down the
rate of decomposition of materials in the soil. The amount of organic matters in the soil
reduces, leading to soil degradation
Land degradation is evitable:
- land degradation is evitable due to the following reasons
- careful use of farming technology can prevent land degradation
- adopt drip irrigation/practise precision agriculture/apply accurate amounts of water to the
crops
- plant roots absorb water more efficiently. No excess water left in the soil. Less water
evaporates
- irrigate at night to reduce evaporation
- apply chemicals precisely according to the need of soil and crops. This can prevent the
washing away of excess chemicals/can protect the ecological systems and the aquatic
ecosystems from pollution and eutrophication
- grow crops in a greenhouse as evaporation rate and irrigation in a greenhouse is under

control
- grow GM crops/drought-resistant crops that are resistant to the dry climate so that less
irrigation water is needed
• Conclusion
Irrigation makes farming possible in the drier inland parts of southern California. However,
over-irrigation can in turn lead to salinization of soil and hinder farming. To avoid land
degradation, careful use of farming technology is necessary.
presented.)
5 Explain the environmental impacts of using chemicals in farming. Evaluate the effectiveness of
precision agriculture in minimizing these impacts. (12 marks)
• Introduction
Farmers use various chemicals such as chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides to
overcome farming constraints. The misuse and overuse of these chemicals will bring about
various environmental impacts. Precision agriculture can provide a more accurate input of
chemicals and can therefore minimize the environmental impacts.
• Explanation of the environmental impacts of using chemicals in farming (6 marks)
- in general, the misuse and overuse of chemicals in farming will damage the natural
environment and lead to land degradation
By applying pesticides and herbicides:
- not only the target pests or weeds are killed, but also other insects and plants
- some organisms may be killed completely, while others may suddenly rise in number
- it will lead to a loss of biodiversity and the breaking down of the food chain/modification
of the food web

- when pest species/weeds become resistant to pesticide/herbicides, farmers have to apply
more pesticides/herbicides, causing a vicious cycle. The natural ecosystem will be upset
- pesticides and herbicides kill the bacteria and fungi in the soil and slow down the rate of
decomposition, causing fewer organic matters in the soil and soil degrades
- when pesticides and herbicides are washed into nearby rivers or lakes, or percolate into
the groundwater, they will pollute the freshwater resources and kill the aquatic
organisms/wildlife there
By applying chemical/nitrate fertilizers:

- excess fertilizers will percolate slowly into the groundwater, causing water pollution
- excess fertilizers will also be washed into rivers and lakes. The level of nutrients in water
is increased, causing eutrophication

- this leads to algal blooms and excessive growth of water plants. They block out sunlight
and prevent photosynthesis of other aquatic plants
- toxins of algae also kill fish and other aquatic organisms
- drop in oxygen level after the death and decomposition of algae. Fish and other aquatic
organisms die due to a lack of oxygen. The aquatic ecosystem will be destroyed
- nitrate fertilizers will also release large amount of nitrous oxide (N2O). This increases
greenhouse gas concentration in the atmosphere and intensifies global warming
• Evaluation on the effectiveness of precision agriculture in minimizing the environmental
impacts caused by the use of chemicals (6 marks)
Effective:
- precision agriculture involves the use of several advanced technologies, such as
computers/geographical information system (GIS)/global positioning system (GPS)/
remote sensing/telecommunications/mobile computing/advanced information processing
- field conditions can be measured and recorded, such as nutrient level, soil texture and
chemistry, moisture content and pest patterns. These data help farmers apply inputs, such
as fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, more precisely and effectively
- it is a sustainable farming method
- fewer chemicals are wasted and exposed to the surrounding environment. This minimizes
the danger of environmental pollution and the upset of ecological balance

- reduce the sources of greenhouse effect and alleviates global warming
- precision agriculture requires high investment and large capital input is needed
- rich data resources are needed for analysis. Infrastructure such as farm connectivity is
necessary
- advanced technology is needed. Farmers should have high education/technological level
- the government should provide aid/technical assistance/training to farmers
- scattered plots of farmland reduces the cost-effectiveness of precision farming
- precision farming increases the rate of farm mechanisation, which may induce other
environmental impacts

Other ways to minimize the environmental impacts (optional):

- practise organic farming, which uses naturally-decomposed fertilizers (compost) and
manure to improve soil fertility and natural methods to control pests and weeds
- adopt integrated pest management to discourage/control pests
- apply different soil conservation methods
- multiple cropping and crop rotation avoid depletion of a particular kind of soil nutrient
- cover cropping and mulching can enrich the soil and control weeds
• Conclusion
The misuse and overuse of chemicals in farming will damage the natural environment.
Although precision agriculture can help minimize the environmental impacts of using
chemicals, its effectiveness still depends on a range of physical and cultural factors.
presented.)
6 Describe the climatic constraints to farming in the Sahel. Discuss whether climatic hazard is the
sole cause of land degradation in the Sahel in recent years. (12 marks)
• Introduction
Farmers in the Sahel have to face several climatic constraints, including low and unreliable
rainfall, and high evapotranspiration rate. Drought is the major climatic hazard that has caused
land degradation in the Sahel in recent years. However, it is not the sole cause. Cultural factors
also contribute to land degradation there.
• Description of the climatic constraints to farming in the Sahel (6 marks)
- the Sahel has a tropical semi-arid climate
- rainfall is low and unreliable, with the annual rainfall varies from 200 mm in the north to
600 mm in the south
- uneven distribution of rainfall, which is concentrated between June and September
- temperature is high throughout the year, with annual mean temperature ranging from
25°C to 30°C. This results in high evapotranspiration rate
- hot and dry offshore winds from the Sahara Desert bring hot, dry climate to the Sahel all
year round
- climatic hazard such as drought is common and persistent. Water is not available for
farming during persistent drought
- pasture cannot grow well in the region
- water shortages affect the type of farming practised, the size of herds and therefore the

farm production
• Discussion on whether climatic hazard is the sole cause of land degradation in the Sahel in
recent years (6 marks)
Climatic hazard is the sole cause of land degradation:
- drought is the major climatic hazard in the Sahel
- in recent years, there is prolonged drought in the region, for example, a severe drought
occurred in the Horn of Africa in 2010
- under serious drought and high evapotranspiration rate, the water stored in plants, soil and
underground is used up. Vegetation cannot regenerate. Land degradation is resulted
Climatic hazard is not the sole cause of land degradation/ Other causes of land degradation:
- the increase in population in the region creates greater demand for food. This adds great
pressure on the land
- many sedentary famers in southern Sahel try to expand farmland to the north, leading to
over-cultivation. Soil nutrients are depleted, and the fallowing periods have been reduced
- livestock population has increased rapidly as nomadic people rear more animals to provide
more food
- better transport linkage also encourages nomadic people to rear more livestock
- pastureland does not have enough time to recover
- expansion of farmland to the north has reduced the pastureland available for grazing.
There is not enough pasture to support a large population of livestock
- the large number of herds trample and destroy the thin soil. Overgrazing occurs, soil
erosion is worsened and more land becomes barren
- the number of herds exceeds the carrying capacity of land, upsetting the ecological
balance
- there is misuse of water resources as well
- the local governments encourage the nomadic people to become sedentary pastoralists.
Boreholes are dug to tap water from underground. With a greater water supply, people
raise more animals. After a period of time, groundwater in the area is used up. The land
around boreholes is damaged. Water table drops and people have to dig deeper boreholes
- more land is damaged and becomes less productive/degrades
• Conclusion
People in the Sahel face various climatic constraints for farming and land degradation in recent
years. Climatic hazard is only one of the causes of land degradation in the region. The increase
in population and the misuse of water resources in the region have added pressure on land,
causing the land to further degrade.

presented.)
7 Describe the cultural factors leading to food insecurity in the Sahel. Evaluate the effectiveness of
developing local infrastructure in improving food security in the area. (12 marks)
• Introduction
Cultural factors in the Sahel affect both local food production and food access, leading to the
problem of food insecurity. Development of local infrastructure favourable to agricultural
activities can help improve food security in the area.
• Description of cultural factors leading to food insecurity in the Sahel (6 marks)
- food insecurity is the result of combined failures of the food supply and food access
Cultural factors affecting food supply:
- farmers have low education level
- the capital input and technological level are low
- farmers farm with traditional methods
- wars and conflict are common. Troop movement may destroy crops. Irrigation system and
transport are paralysed. Farmers have to abandon their fields
- governments encourage farmers to grow cash crops. Multinational enterprises also buy up
farmland to develop plantations. Local subsistence farmers are forced to cultivate on
marginal land
- all these factors reduce local food production, thus reducing food supply
Cultural factors affecting food access:
- the level of economic development of the countries in the Sahel is generally low
- poverty is common/people are too poor to buy food in the market and the governments
cannot afford to import food from other countries
- governments cannot respond to food crisis efficiently because of wars and conflict
- some countries have corrupt governments
- some dictatorship governments deny food supplies to people who oppose their rule
- people of lower social class cannot get enough food
- all these factors reduces people’s ability to get access to food
• Evaluation on the effectiveness of developing local infrastructure in improving food security in
the area (6 marks)
Effective:

- the governments can maintain a reliable rural electricity supply/improve irrigation methods
which are suitable for local conditions

- develop and improve rural roads, rural-urban linkages and other transport networks to
transport cultural inputs to farm and farm produce to urban markets
- set up a healthy marketing mechanism for farm produce to stabilise farmers’ income and
food price
- set up a sound financial support system to provide easy access to loans and credit for
farmers and non-farmers. Farmers can use the loan and credit to apply more inputs to
increase farm productivity, such as buying/renting farm machines
- with better infrastructure, farm work can be improved
- it can increase food production as well as farmers’ income
- with higher income, farmers can buy food from the market in case of crop failure
- it depends on how strong and determined the local governments are
- corrupt governments or governments of low efficiency cannot carry out such development
- governments may have a large foreign debt. There is a lack of capital to build
infrastructure and provide loans to farmers
- stable political condition is necessary
Other ways to improve food security in the area (optional):
- measures that help increase food supply and the ability of people to access sufficient
amount of safe food can be carried out
- non-agricultural sectors can be developed in the rural areas. Small-scale industries can be
set up in rural areas, for example, leather-producing workshops can be developed parallel
with cattle raising/farmers can do work other than farming, such as quarrying,
manufacturing and repairing of consumer goods. It can help diversify the sources of
income and increase income. The problem of rural poverty can be eased and this enables
the food access in times of food insecurity
- favourable government policies encourage farm production. The governments can provide
training for farmers on modern farming technologies/invest more in the agricultural sector
and set up cooperatives for knowledge diffusion
- maintain the political stability of the region
• Conclusion

Different cultural factors contribute to food insecurity in the Sahel. Developing local
infrastructure encourages food production, but other measures are also necessary to improve
food access, so as to improve the food security of the area.
presented.)
8 Explain how physical constraints lead to low farm production. Evaluate the effectiveness of farming
technologies in increasing farm production in less developed countries. (12 marks)
• Introduction
Physical constraints such as climatic, relief and soil constraints will lower farm production of a
place. By applying appropriate farming technologies, farm production in less developed
countries can be increased.
• Explanation of how physical constraints lead to low farm production (6 marks)
- rainfall affects the amount of farm production. Inadequate, unreliable and uneven
distribution of rainfall leads to low farm production/unusual precipitation patterns such as
rainstorms and hailstorms may damage crops
- high temperature results in high evaporation rate. In semi-arid regions, high evaporation
rate bring salts in the soil to the surface through capillary action. Salinization of soil
occurs. High concentration of salts limits the water absorption of crops. Land affected by
salinization will become unproductive
- when temperature is low, frost may occur and destroy crops
- natural hazards such as flooding and drought will destroy crops
- strong winds, such as tropical cyclones and tornadoes, also damage crops
- places with rugged/hilly relief are not favourable for farming
- slopes which are in the rain shadow may not have enough water for crop growth
- highland areas are not favourable for farming because of low temperature, strong winds
and thin soil
- infertile/thin/poorly-drained/easily eroded soil/soils which are strongly acidic or alkaline
will result in poor crop yields
- it is difficult for places where large rivers are absent to develop efficient irrigation systems
• Evaluation on the effectiveness of farming technologies in increasing farm production in less
developed countries (6 marks)
Effective:

- chemical fertilizers can improve the quality of farmland/soil fertility and therefore
productivity of land
- pesticides can protect crops from pests and vaccines can protect livestock from diseases
- herbicides can prevent weeds from competing nutrients with crops
- biotechnology can improve the quality of crops as crops are modified to become resistant
to pests and diseases, and tolerant to different environmental constraints
- irrigation systems provide stable freshwater supply
- the use of greenhouses can lengthen growing season and protect crops from failure caused
by climatic hazards
- machines can improve farm production, farm efficiency and quality of farm work
- drought-resistant species can be grown in areas with low rainfall and increase the crop
yield in the area
- precision farming allows farmers to overcome the physical farming constraints by
monitoring the field conditions and apply inputs more precisely and effectively
- less developed countries have difficulties to apply farming technologies. They have low
level of economic development. They lack of capital to buy machines and chemical
fertilizers, install irrigation systems, etc.
- education level of people in less developed countries is low. People usually farm with
traditional methods. They do not have the knowledge to use modern farming technologies
- farmers need to buy seeds of genetically modified crops from multinational companies,
causing an economic burden
- misuse and overuse of farming technologies can further lower crop yields and food supply.
For instance, over-irrigation can lead to a drop in water table and salinization of soil,
causing the land to become unproductive
- there is a lack of government support
- wars and conflict in some countries make it difficult to develop irrigation and drainage
system. They also result in a lack of incentive for farmers to invest in these technologies
Other ways to increase farm production in less developed countries (optional):
- maintain the political stability of the region
- provide training for farmers
- invest more in the agricultural sector such as improving local supporting infrastructure
- set up a sound financial support system so that farmers can have easy access to loans and

credit
- set up a healthy marketing mechanism for farm produce to stabilise farmers’ incomes
- with higher income, farmers can apply more inputs for farming to increase farm
productivity
- farmers can also grow different crops/rear different livestock to secure farm production
- promote sustainable agriculture to increase farm production in the long run
• Conclusion
Physical constraints result in low farm production of a place. Although farming technologies
can increase farm production in less developed countries, their effectiveness mainly depends on
the availability of capital, the education level of farmers and the political condition.
presented.)
9 Explain why nomadic herding in the Sahel is an ecologically balanced system. Discuss how
population growth in the Sahel affects this balanced system in recent years. (12 marks)
• Introduction
The physical environment in the Sahel is not favourable for farming. Nomadic herding is an
ecologically balanced system that adapts to such environment in the Sahel. However, such
balance has been disturbed by the rapid population growth in recent years.
• Explanation of the reasons why nomadic herding in the Sahel is an ecologically balanced
system (6 marks)
- the carrying capacity of land in the Sahel is low
- nomadic herding is a way of farming that adapts to the physical environment
- the ways in which the nomadic people raise their animals help keep the ecological balance
of the area
Migration of herds/Practising transhumance:
- the nomadic people/pastoralists rear livestock and move from one place to another to look
for water and pasture. After the pasture is exhausted, the herds are moved to another site.
The old site is left fallow. The soil recovers its nutrients and water. With enough time for
fallowing, the grass regenerates at the old site. The herds return to the old site again and
are grazed at the old site. The other areas which the pasture is exhausted are left fallow
and will recover. The damage to the environment is minimized
Controlling the size of herds:
- the nomadic people control the number of animals in the herd carefully. They keep smaller

size of the herd in dry seasons and larger size in the wet seasons. Therefore, pasture has
enough time to regenerate and can grow reasonably well
Keeping a variety of herd species:
- different types of herds eat different plant species. This prevents the complete
consumption of any one particular plant species
Simple and small amount of cultural inputs:
- cultural inputs to the nomadic herding system are low
- the nomadic people use simple and traditional technologies to manage their herds
- there are low inputs of energy such as irrigation, chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which
may have harmful effects to the ecosystem
• Discussion on how population growth in the Sahel affects this balanced system in recent years
(6 marks)
- the rapid rate of population growth means that there is a greater demand for food. For
example, the population in the Sahel grew from 126 million in 1980 to 343 million in
2017. It adds pressure on the land
- nomadic people change to practise sedentary farming to produce more food. More
pastureland is being converted into farmland
- farmers have reduced the fallowing periods of the farmland. As land is cultivated more
intensively, over-cultivation occurs
- besides, nomadic people rear larger herds to increase food production. The fallowing
periods of pastureland are shortened. The pasture does not have enough time to regenerate.
There is not enough pastureland to support a large population of livestock

- the large number of herds trample and destroy the thin soil. Overgrazing occurs. When the
number of herds and crops exceeds the carrying capacity of land, the ecological balance is
upset
- these changes lead to the depletion of soil nutrients. Soil erosion and land degradation are
worsened. The land becomes barren. Finally, desertification may occur. Land productivity
falls
• Conclusion
Nomadic herding has been practised in the Sahel for centuries. It is an ecological balanced
farming system. However, the rapid population growth in recent years creates a greater demand
for food. This leads to a greater pressure on the land. The balanced system of nomadic herding
is therefore disturbed.

presented.)
10 Describe how advanced farming technologies help overcome the climatic and soil constraints to
agriculture in southern California. Discuss the views of environmentalists about the application of
these farming technologies. (12 marks)
• Introduction
Climate and soil are the major physical inputs of a farming system. Unfavourable climatic and
soil conditions in southern California hinder agricultural development and lower farm
production. As farmers there have enough capital and technological know-how, they use
advanced technologies to overcome these physical constraints. However, environmentalists
oppose the use of some of these advanced farming technologies.
• Description of how advanced farming technologies help overcome the climatic and soil
constraints to agriculture in southern California (6 marks)
Climatic and soil constraints in The advanced farming technologies for overcoming
southern California these constraints
Climate: - water schemes and irrigation are adopted to
- semi-arid climate in the inland overcome the dry conditions and unreliable
- lack of moderating effect of rainfall
onshore wind and rain shadow in - large dams for storing water/canals and aqueducts
the Central Valley for transporting water to farms
- high temperature leads to high - examples: Imperial Dam and All-American Canal
evaporation rate in the Imperial Valley, California Aqueduct
- large annual range of temperature - provide a reliable water source for farming
- low annual rainfall - apply different irrigation methods on farms, such
- seasonal and uneven distribution as sprinkler irrigation, drip irrigation
of rainfall - precision farming is practised. Field conditions
- hot, dry summers and cool to such as soil moisture content are monitored; water
cold, wet winters is applied precisely and efficiently
- the climatic constraints affect the

choice of crops and the length of
growing seasons
Soil: - chemical fertilizers are used to improve the soil
- alkaline and infertile soil fertility/provide nitrogen, phosphorous and
potassium to the crops

- subject to wind erosion - example: nitrate fertilizers

- desert soils which contain little - irrigation is used to dissolve and wash away salts
organic matter - precision farming is practised to monitor the field
conditions and apply fertilizers as well as
irrigation water precisely
• Discussion on the views of environmentalists about the application of these farming
technologies (6 marks)
Opposing the application of some farming technologies:
- environmentalists oppose the application of some of these farming technologies because
misuse and overuse of these farming technologies can upset the natural ecosystem
By improper irrigation/over-irrigation:
- in general, southern California is hot and dry. Evaporation rate exceeds precipitation.
Capillary action draws salts in the soil upward. A crust of salt forms on the ground
surface, resulting in salinization of soil
- it hinders the growth of crops by limiting their ability of taking water. The land may
become unproductive. Land degradation is resulted
- over-irrigation may increase surface run-off, leading to soil erosion
- improper irrigation may also wash away the chemicals/pesticides, which leads to pollution
of groundwater
By misusing chemicals/nitrate fertilizers:
- when too many chemical fertilizers are used, excess fertilizers will percolate slowly into
the ground, causing water pollution
- excess fertilizers will be washed into rivers and lakes and increase the level of nutrients in
water, causing eutrophication
- algal blooms and excessive growth of water plants block out sunlight and prevent
photosynthesis of other water plants
- toxins of algae also kill fishes and other aquatic plants
- drop in oxygen level after the death and decomposition of algae
- the aquatic ecosystem will be destroyed
- nitrate fertilizers will also release large amount of nitrous oxide (N2O). This increases
greenhouse gases concentration and intensifies global warming
Agreeing on the application of some farming technologies:
- precision farming is a kind of sustainable farming method
- as field conditions are monitored, irrigation water and chemicals are applied only when
needed and in the right amount. This minimizes the danger of polluting the environment

and upsetting the ecological balance

- for example, by applying irrigation water precisely, it minimizes the possibility of
salinization of soil and land degradation. It can also save water as it reduces the water
being evaporated. This helps conserve water resources
- by applying fertilizers precisely, it avoids the overuse of them. This prevents the washing
of excess fertilizers to rivers and lakes, damaging the aquatic ecosystem
• Conclusion
The advanced farming technologies used in southern California can overcome the climatic and
soil constraints. Among these technologies, precision farming is more preferred by
environmentalists because they are environmentally friendly, while some other technologies,
when misused and overused, can lead to adverse impacts to the environment, such as the land
degradation and upset of ecosystem.
presented.)

QB 05 Essay 01 e

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

QB 05 Essay 01 e

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Senior Secondary Exploring Geography (Third Edition) Part 5

Question Bank Short essays

© Oxford University Press (China) Ltd 2019 1

- it is effective for the following reasons

© Oxford University Press (China) Ltd 2019 2

© Oxford University Press (China) Ltd 2019 3

- it is effective for the following reasons

© Oxford University Press (China) Ltd 2019 4

© Oxford University Press (China) Ltd 2019 5

possible to divert water for irrigation from rivers

© Oxford University Press (China) Ltd 2019 6

the drier inland regions in southern California

© Oxford University Press (China) Ltd 2019 7

of the food web

© Oxford University Press (China) Ltd 2019 8

is increased, causing eutrophication

the danger of environmental pollution and the upset of ecological balance

© Oxford University Press (China) Ltd 2019 9

Other ways to minimize the environmental impacts (optional):

© Oxford University Press (China) Ltd 2019 10

© Oxford University Press (China) Ltd 2019 11

© Oxford University Press (China) Ltd 2019 12

which are suitable for local conditions

© Oxford University Press (China) Ltd 2019 13

© Oxford University Press (China) Ltd 2019 14

© Oxford University Press (China) Ltd 2019 15

© Oxford University Press (China) Ltd 2019 16

There is not enough pastureland to support a large population of livestock

© Oxford University Press (China) Ltd 2019 17

- the climatic constraints affect the

© Oxford University Press (China) Ltd 2019 18

- subject to wind erosion - example: nitrate fertilizers

© Oxford University Press (China) Ltd 2019 19

and upsetting the ecological balance

© Oxford University Press (China) Ltd 2019 20

You might also like