GCSE Geography Case Study Collection, Study notes of Geography

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A CASE STUDY COLLECTION

GCSE GEOGRAPHY

AQA

Contents

Paper 1: Living in the Physical Environment

The Challenges of Natural Hazards

1. Haiti Earthquake (2011) Page 2

2. E15 Icelandic Eruption (2010) Page 3

3. Typhoon Haiyan (2013) Page 4

4. UK Heatwave (2015) Page 5

The Living World

5. Epping Forest , UK Page 6

6. Malaysian Tropical Rainforest Page 7

7. Thar Desert Page 8

The Physical landscapes in the UK

8. Hunstanton Coastal Management Scheme Page 9

9. River Tees Management Scheme Page 1 0

Paper 2: Challenges in the Human Environment

Urban Issues and Challenges

10. Rio de Janeiro (Urban change in a major NEE city) Page 11

11. Sheffield (Urban changes in a major UK city) Page 12

12. Freiburg (Sustainable urban development) Page 1 3

The Changing Economic World

13. Tourism in Jamaica Page 14

14. Nigeria (Newly-Emerging Economy) Page 1 5

15. Shell Oil (TNC) in Nigeria Page 1 6

16. The UK Car Industry Page 1 7

Resource Management

17. Fracking in the UK Page 1 8

18. Chambamontera Micro-hydro, Peru Page 19

E15 - Icelandic Eruption (2010)

Causes I celand lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a constructive plate margin separating the Eurasian plate from the North American plate. As the plates mov e apart magma rises to the surface to form sev eral active volcanoes. In March 2010, magma broke through the crust beneath Eyjafjallajokull glacier. This w as the start of tw o months of pow erful eruptions. On 14th April a new phase began w hich was more explosive. Ov er several days, v iolent eruptions belched huge quantities of ash into the air. Effects Social effects (local)

• 800 people ev acuated
• Homes and roads w ere damaged and serv ices (electricity & w ater) disrupted
• Local w ater supplies were contaminated with fluoride from the ash. Social effects (international)
• Ov er 8 days - some 100,000 flights w ere cancelled
• 10 million air passengers affected
• Sporting ev ents such as the Japanese Motorcycle grand prix w ere affected Economic effects (local)
• Drop in tourist numbers - affected I celand's economy as w ell as local people's jobs.
• Crops w ere damaged by heav y falls of ash
• Reconstruction of roads and services was expensive. Economic effects (International)
• I n Kenya, farm w orkers lost their jobs as fresh produce such as flow ers were unable to be flow n to European supermarkets.
• Airlines lost an estimated £80 million. Local Responses
• The heav ier particles of ash forced hundreds of people to be ev acuated.
• Sections of embankment that supported the main highw ay w ere broken to allow floodwaters to pass through to the sea. This prev ented expensive bridges being destroyed.
• Within a few w eeks embankments and the highw ay w ere reconstructed. International Responses
• Concerned about the possible harmful effects of ash on aeroplane jet engines, large sections of European airspace closed.

The Challenges of Natural Hazards

Typhoon Haiyan (2013)

Causes Typhoon Haiyan w as a tropical cyclone that affected the Philippines in South East Asia in Nov ember 2013. I t w as one of the strongest tropical cyclones ever recorded w ith w inds of 313 km/h. I n some areas, 281.9 mm of rainfall w as recorded, much of w hich fell in under 12 hours. Wav es of up to 7 m in height battered the coast. The Philippines is a fairly poor part of the w orld w ith minimal inv estment in prediction, planning and protection schemes. Effects Economic effects

• The ov erall economic impact of Typhoon Haiyan is estimated at $5.8 billion (£3.83 billion).
• Six million w orkers lost their sources of income.
• Major rice, corn and sugar-producing areas for the Philippines w ere destroyed affecting the country's international trade and farmers' incomes. Social effects
• More than 7,000 people w ere killed by Typhoon Haiyan.
• 1.9 million people w ere left homeless and more than 6,000,000 displaced.
• There w ere outbreaks of disease due to the lack of sanitation, food, w ater, shelter, and medication.
• I n the city of Tacloban, w idespread looting took place in the days follow ing the typhoon. Environmental effects
• Widespread floods damaged and in many cases destroyed homes and businesses in coastal areas.
• Thousands of trees w ere uprooted leading to a massiv e release of carbon dioxide and loss of habitat w ith resulting effects on w ildlife.
• Major roads w ere blocked by trees, and w ere impassable. Responses
• Ev en though the loss of life w as significant, it could hav e been much w orse if not for the efforts of the Philippines' meteorological agency. It broadcast w arnings leading to the ev acuation of approximately 750,000 residents.
• The UK gov ernment provided food, shelter, clean water, medicine and other supplies for up to 800,000 v ictims.
• Sev eral charities provided emergency aid such as w ater, food and shelter.
• The United Nations launched an international aid appeal in December 2013 for £480 million to finance the humanitarian relief effort for 2014.

The Challenges of Natural Hazards

Epping Forest, UK

Location and Background Epping Forest is an example of a small-scale deciduous forest. I t is in north-east London. I t has an area of just under 2500ha – 70 per cent of its area is designated as a Site of Special Scientific I nterest (SSSI ) for its biological interests. Components and interrelationships in the ecosystem.

• The deciduous trees include oak, beech, hornbeam, birch and holly. Deciduous trees lose their leaves for the colder months so that they are not damaged.
• Pollarding is the remov al of the top branches of a tree to get new growth of denser branches and leav es, usually to increase the supply of w ood.
• Branches that fall in stormy conditions create lots of dead w ood, w hich is perfect for decomposers.
• The oak trees support grey squirrels. There are ten species of bat in the forest and also lizards, grass snakes and adders. Balance in the ecosystem
• The Epping Forest Act (1878) stopped pollarding, allow ing the trees to grow to their current shape blocking out much light from ground and therefore reducing v egetation variety at ground and shrub lev el.
• Deer are enclosed w ithin the forest to reduce collision with vehicles on the busy roads.
• The forest is surrounded by urban areas. This creates pressures such as w alking, horse riding and mountain biking.
• Assessments found the forest air to be poor and possibly damaging to older trees.
• Droughts and storms hav e impacted the balance of the forest w ith tree being damaged.

The Living World

Malaysian Tropical Rainforest

Location and Background Malaysia is a country in South East Asia. I t is made up of Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia w hich is part of the island of Borneo. The natural v egetation in Malaysia is tropical rainforest, with 67 per cent being cov ered w ith this type of biome. Causes of deforestation Deforestation is the cutting dow n of tress, often on a v ery large scale.

• Logging – Malaysia is the w orld’s largest exporter of tropical wood.
• Mineral extraction – Mining is common w ith companies seeking oil and tin.
• Population pressures – Poor urban people w ere encouraged by the gov ernment to mov e. 15,000 hectares of rainforest was felled for the settlers.
• Commercial farming – Malaysia is the largest exporter of palm oil in the w orld. Large areas of rainforest have been cleared to convert into palm oil plantations.
• Subsistence farming - This inv olves growing and hunting to support your community. This has a limited impact on the rainforest as is small scaled. Impact of deforestation ✓ Dev elopment of land for mining, farming and energy leads to more jobs. ✓ Companies w ill pay taxes to the gov ernment to improve public services such as education. ✓ I mproved transport infrastructure opens up more industry and tourism. ✓ Hydro-electric power provides cheap and plentiful energy. ✓ Minerals such as gold are v ery valuable. X Pollution of w ater sources resulting in w ater shortages. X Fires can cause harmful pollutions and are difficult to control. X Plants that could be used for medical benefits may become extinct. X The number of people attracted to v isit the rainforest could decrease. X Greater contributions towards climate change as trees no longer absorb CO² as they are destroyed. Sustainable management of tropical rainforest
• Agro-forestry - Grow ing trees and crops at the same time helps to prev ent soil erosion.
• Selective logging – Trees are only felled w hen they reach a particular height.
• Education – Ensuring people understand the consequences of deforestation.
• Ecotourism – Tourism that promotes the env ironment and conservation goals.

The Living World

Hunstanton Management Strategy

Location and Background Hunstanton is a seaside tow n (population 4,229) on the w est coast of Norfolk, England facing the Wash. I t is also one of the few places on the east coast of England w here you can see the sunset ov er the sea. The geology of the area is made up of tall cliffs w ith contrasting colours of orange, red and w hite sedimentary rocks. Why does it need protecting? I t is estimated that the risk from flooding amounts to some £26 million. The need for effective sea defences has been demonstrated both in 1953 w hen 65 people died as a result of sea flooding. I n December 2013, Hunstanton experienced w aves that breached the town’s concrete sea w alls and caused damage to sev eral businesses along the front. The storm surged caused marine creatures to be ev acuated from the Seal Life centre and damage to the sea w all. I n the long term, there w ere financial losses to businesses that w ere flooded. Hunstanton Management Strategy Hunstanton Cliffs – These cliffs are eroding at an av erage rate of 3 metres ev ery 10 years. Defence schemes such as base netting, sand bags and gabions hav e helped slow down the rate of erosion. Hunstanton Town - The coastal defences in this area consist of hard engineering options. The tow n is protected by a 500m sea w all w hich is supported by many groynes w hich aims at extending the beach. Rock armour is also used, but only on important sections of the tow n. Hunstanton South – At this location the soft sand ridge is strengthened w ith smaller sea w alls. Some areas of the beach are supported by groynes that aims to trap sediment and help build up the beach further to reduce erosion. Is the Hunstanton Management Strategy Successful? Most of the effects are positive, as the tow n is now protected by sea w alls and the beach has been built up. The major problem of the sea defences is the effect on the beach at Heacham, located south of Hunstanton. Here the groynes further north hav e stopped longshore drift supplying its beach. Now the beach is small and v ulnerable.

The Physical landscapes in the UK

River Tees Management Strategy

Location and Background The Riv er Tees is located in north-east England. I ts source area is high in the Pennines in the w est and the riv er flows eastwards into the North Sea. The source of the Riv er Tees lies on Cross Fell in the Pennines, 893m abov e sea level, where rainfall is ov er 2000mm a year. Why does it need protecting? The Riv er Tees has a long history of flooding. The Tees v alley is also home to a large population and many industries, all requiring a reliable w ater supply. The riv er is managed to prov ide a w ater supply and control flooding. Cow Green reservoir was built in 1970 to prov ide water for the growing industries on Teesside. I t is a regulating reservoir, storing w ater in times of plenty and releasing enough for the needs of industry in times of low flow. River Tees Management Strategy Yarm's flood defence scheme – Yarm is a historic market tow n that is particularly prone to flooding. The most recent serious flood w as in January 1995. Since then a new flood defence scheme costing £2.1 million has been built. This has inv olved:

• I mproved flood warning systems.
• Better liaison w ith the Meteorological Office, police and emergency services.
• New development discouraged building on low - lying and flood-prone land is discouraged - an example of land-use zonation.
• Gabions to protect w alls and embankments from erosion. Lower Tees Valley- This is an important economic area consisting of key industries and a port for importing and exporting goods. The flood strategy here includes:
• The Tees Barrage (a manmade barrier across a riv er) aims to reduce the risk of flooding at v ery high tides or during a storm surge. The barrage w as completed in 1995 and cost £54 million.
• Dredging the low er stretches of the Tees estuary are dredged to improv e nav igation by maintaining a deep-w ater channel. It also reduces the flood risk by increasing the capacity of the channel. Is the river Tees management strategy successful? The barrage has acted as a catalyst for £500 million of inv estment in offices, housing, educational, leisure and shopping facilities. I n addition, a major flooding ev ents hasn’t happened since 1995.

The Physical landscapes in the UK

Sheffield, UK

Location and Importance Sheffield is a city in South Yorkshire in the North of England. The city grew enormously during the industrial rev olution due to internal migrates from the countryside mov ing for w ork in its factories. The city holds a number of regionally and national importance.

• The city enjoys a large sporting heritage w ith a number famous athletes and football clubs situated there.
• Sheffield is described as the greenest city in Europe.
• Sheffield has a thriv ing community of international students.
• Sheffield has tw o major UK univ ersities popular with young students.
• Fastest grow ing city outside of London. City Challenges
• House prices hav e increased alongside with greater house shortages.
• A third of households in Sheffield liv e in the 10% of the most depriv ed w ards in the UK.
• The closure of the steelworks and factories caused large scale unemployment.
• Poor transport connections to large economic hubs such as London and Manchester.
• The urban spraw l has led to increased pressure and decline of greenfield sites around the city. City Opportunities
• Sheffield has v arious cultural attractions such as the Crucible Theatre and museums that explore the city’s cultural past.
• Meadowhall is a popular large mall that is popular w ith shoppers.
• The retail sector contributes to thousands of jobs.
• Sheffield still has adv anced manufacturing taking place that contributes to the economy.
• Sheffield is close to the Peak District and numerous open places av ailable. Managing Urban Growth Sheffield City Centre Regeneration Projects are to encourage investment in business and job opportunities. I n addition, the projects aim to improv e public spaces w ith greener urban environments. I ts main features include:
• Brow nfield sites and derelict buildings being pulled dow n.
• £50 million inv ested on the city’s train station to improv e connections.
• £120 million on green open spaces w ith the construction of the Winter Gardens and Peace Gardens.
• $430 million for improv ing the retail quarter to attract shoppers aw ay from Meadowhall.

Urban Issues and Challenges

Freiburg, Germany

Location and Background Freiburg is located in South West Germany w ith a population of about 220, people. I n 1970 it set the goal of focusing on social, economic and env ironmental sustainability. Social Sustainability

• There is a focus on prov iding people with affordable housing.
• Local people are inv olved in urban planning at both local and city lev el.
• Sites for building are considered by the local council and interest groups.
• Cycle and w alking paths aim to encourage exercise and healthy liv ing. Economic Sustainability
• Many jobs hav e been created in the research and manufacture of solar technology.
• More than 10,000 people are employed in 1500 env ironmental businesses in the city.
• The city is a popular place for people to attend conferences on sustainability. This prov ides jobs for the local people. Environmental Sustainability
• Financial rew ards are given to people w ho compost their green waste and use textile nappies.
• Local people are encouraged to inv est in renewable energy.
• The city uses biogas to prov ide energy for 28,000 homes.
• The city has more than 88% of packing w aste recycled.
• 44,000 trees hav e been planted in parks and streets to prov ide more green spaces but to also reduce pollution.
• Rainw ater is retained and reused to reduce the amount of w ater used. Sustainable traffic management strategies
• The city has integrated public transport strategy (I TS) w hich is updated ev ery ten years.
• The tram netw ork is an important part of the I TS, as it prov ides cheap and accessible public transport.
• There are 400km of cycle paths w ith 9000 parking spaces for bikes.
• Areas of the city hav e restrictions on car parking spaces. A car park space in one area cost £20,000. Is the traffic management strategy successful?
• Tram journeys hav e increased by ov er 25,000 in one year, w hile car journeys hav e reduced by nearly 30,000.

Urban Issues and Challenges

Economic Development in Nigeria

Location and Background Nigeria is a NEE (New ly Emerging Economy) in West Africa bordered by Benin, Niger, Chad and Cameroon. Nigeria is just north of the Equator and experiences a range of climates and natural env ironments. Global and Regional Importance

• Nigeria is the w orld’s 21st^ largest economy and is still experiencing growth.
• Nigeria is ranked sev enth in the w orld by size of population.
• Nigeria has the third largest manufacturing sector in Africa.
• Nigeria has the highest farm output in Africa. Influences upon Nigeria's development
• Suffered instability w ith a civ il war between 1967-1970.
• From 1999, the country become stable w ith free and fair elections.
• Stability has encouraged global inv estment from China and USA.
• Regional conflicts from groups such as the Boko Haram terrorists.
• Nigeria’s div ersity has created rich and v aried artistic culture.
• The country has a rich music, literacy and film industry (i.e. Nollywood). Industrial structure and economy
• Once based on agriculture, its economy is now manufacturing and services.
• A thriv ing manufacturing industry is increasing foreign inv estment and employment opportunities. Changing Relationships
• Nigeria plays a leading role w ith the African Union and UN.
• Grow ing links with China w ith huge investment in infrastructure.
• Main imports include petrol from EU, cars from Brazil and phones from China. Aid and Debt Relief
• Receiv es $5billion per year in aid.
• Aid groups (Action Aid) hav e improv ed health centres, provided anti- mosquito nets and helped to protect people against AI DS/HIV.
• Some aid fails to reach the people w ho need it due to corruption. Effects of economic development
• Life expectancy has increased from 46 to 53 years.
• 64% hav e access to safe w ater.
• Typical schooling years have increased from 7 to 9 years.

The Changing Economic World

Shell Oil (TNC) in Nigeria

Background Transnational Corporations (TNCs) hav e played an important role in Nigeria’s recent economic grow th. I mportantly the dev elopment of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry depended on the inv estment and expertise of TNCs such as Roya Dutch Shell (UK, Netherlands). Advantages of TNCs in Nigeria ✓ TNCs hav e been the main source of inv estment in oil and gas explorations by supporting the construction of oil and gas platforms. ✓ The inv estment has created employment opportunities and raised incomes and contributed hugely to the Nigerian economy. ✓ Many Nigerian companies hav e benefited from the exploitation of oil and gas by w inning contracts with the TNCs. ✓ The gov ernment benefits from export taxes, providing money that can be spent on improv ing education, healthcare and services. ✓ TNCs such as Shell hav e many international business links. This can help industry to thriv e even further. Disadvantages of TNCs in Nigeria  Tankers transport oil to Europe and the USA w here it is refined into petroleum products. This means that profits go abroad rather than benefiting the host country.  TNCs can exploit the low w age economy and av oid paying local or ev en full taxes.  There hav e many oil spills in the fragile delta env ironment, causing water pollution and damaging fisheries.  Oil fares and toxic fumes hav e increased air pollution.  Social unrest in the area has led to theft, sabotage and v iolent crime.  I ncentives used to attract TNCs could hav e been spent supporting Nigerian companies instead.

The Changing Economic World

Fracking in the UK

Background of Fracking Fracking is a w ay of extracting shale gas. This inv olves taking natural gas that is trapped underground in shale rock. Liquid is pumped into the shale rock at high pressure. This causes the rock to crack (fracture), therefore releasing the gas w hich is then collected as it comes back out of the w ell. Locations of Fracking Shale gas hav e been identified across large swathes of the UK, particularly in northern England. More than 100 licences hav e been awarded by the gov ernment to firms in the UK, allow ing them to pursue exploration in certain areas. Applications hav e also been submitted in Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire. The advantages and disadvantages of fracking Advantages of fracking ✓ There appears to be lots of shale gas av ailable in the UK. Fracking increases the energy security of the UK as supplies of other fossil fuels start running out. ✓ Gas is less polluting than other fossil fuels. I t releases half the CO² of coal. ✓ Fracked gas is a less expensive source than some renewables. ✓ The technology has already been tested (in the USA) and show n to w ork, unlike some renew able sources. Disadvantages of fracking X Gas is not a sustainable energy source as it’s a non-renewable and releases CO². This therefore means it contributes to global w arming. X There’s a risk of pollution of groundw ater, drinking water and air. X I ts uses lots of w ater which is a limited resource. X I t’s an issue that people feel strongly about. Public opposition has stopped it from being w idespread in the UK. X I nvestment in fracking may slow down the investment in renewable energy.

Resource Management

Chambamontera Micro-hydro, Peru

Location and Background Chambamontera is a small Andean mountain community in the north of Peru. The community is v ery remote and isolated from the rest of the country. The population of Chambamontera surv ives largely on subsistence farming (farming for oneself and/or family). Until recently the community had no electricity to supply pow er for equipment, lighting or heating. Funding for the Mirco-hydro scheme

• The Chambamontera micro-hydro scheme cost $51,000 to implement.
• The scheme w as funded by the Peruv ian government, Japan and the charity Practical Action.
• Local people also contributed tow ards the scheme.
• The steep slopes and high rainfall made it an ideal option as a long-term sustainable energy supply. The advantages and disadvantages of the scheme Advantages of the scheme ✓ Reliable electricity provides street lighting, heating and pow er for appliances such as fridges. ✓ People can use electricity in school and at home in the ev ening for completing homew ork. ✓ Local industries hav e benefited from the pow er. ✓ Less fuel w ood is required, resulting in less deforestation and soil erosion. ✓ 60% of people said their income had increased because of scheme. ✓ Training of local people to operate the technology giv es them skills. Disadvantages of the schemes X Poor people must pay for metered electricity. X Some v illages hav e doubled in size, creating population pressures. X Some specialist equipment had to be imported. X Small storage dam is needed w hich alters the flow of the river and spoils the natural scenery.

Resource Management