Groundwater management may comprise over-abstraction or pollution, either of which may constitute unsustainable management depending on the scale or rate of the change. The focus may be on agriculture and groundwater pollution and may make use of a detailed local case study.
The impacts could be physical (subsidence, ecosystem damage), human (dwindling supplies, conflicts and possible attempts at resolution either locally or internationally eg transboundary aquifers). Mismanagement may also comprise distribution inequities or losses due to inefficient storage and transfer technology.
An entirely physical or human answer can be awarded full marks if it covers a range of (at least three) well-developed impacts.
Good answers may be carefully structured around different types of impact (either for processes, people or ecosystems), or may examine the temporal and/or spatial extent of any impacts. Another approach might be to examine different kinds of mismanagement, or contrasting views of user groups about what constitutes mismanagement (may use concept of sustainable development).
For band D, expect some description of some problems related to water quality and/or quantity.
At band E, expect either more detailed explanation of some impacts or an examination of the meaning of “mismanagement” (eg unsustainability).
At band F expect both of these elements.
There may be other approaches and these should be credited.
Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.
The impacts could be physical (subsidence, ecosystem damage), human (dwindling supplies, conflicts and possible attempts at resolution either locally or internationally eg transboundary aquifers). Mismanagement may also comprise distribution inequities or losses due to inefficient storage and transfer technology.
An entirely physical or human answer can be awarded full marks if it covers a range of (at least three) well-developed impacts.
Good answers may be carefully structured around different types of impact (either for processes, people or ecosystems), or may examine the temporal and/or spatial extent of any impacts. Another approach might be to examine different kinds of mismanagement, or contrasting views of user groups about what constitutes mismanagement (may use concept of sustainable development).
For band D, expect some description of some problems related to water quality and/or quantity.
At band E, expect either more detailed explanation of some impacts or an examination of the meaning of “mismanagement” (eg unsustainability).
At band F expect both of these elements.
There may be other approaches and these should be credited.
Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.