1. Note to teachers This revision session is on sustaining ecosystems
A) why tropical rainforests matter to us
+ case study of sustainable management of a tropical rainforest
B) is there more to polar environments
+ case study - of one small scale management
+ case study – of one global management example
There are handout sheets to accompany.
I have tried to provide the ‘essential details’ for each of the 3 case studies. Students must practise applying this information to possible questions. This will could be a homework focus.

2. Geography GCSE Revision Sustaining ecosystems
Learning outcomes
To understand the processes at work in ecosystems, including nutrient cycle and interdependence.
To understand the distinctive features of tropical rainforests, their structure and the threats they face
To understand the distinctive features of polar environments, including interpreting climate graphs.
To apply the above information to 3 case studies.

3. Case studies for Sustaining ecosystems. You need 3 case studies.
Case study of an area of tropical rainforest.
Focus on attempts to manage the rainforest sustainably.  
The Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve, Borneo.
Case study of a polar environment – and a small scale example of sustainable management.
Union Glacier, Antarctica & Small scale sustainable tourism
Case study of a polar environment – and a global example of sustainable management.
The Antarctic Treaty

4. Case study question: The management of an area of tropical rainforest.
Describe the actions taken to manage an area of tropical rainforest sustainably at a local or regional scale and evaluate the success of these actions.
1) It must be a named local or regional scale example of tropical rainforest.
2) Describe the actions taken. Give specific examples.
3) Evaluate. How sustainable? What successes? Any weaknesses or limitations?
The recommended case study is the Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve in Borneo.

5. Describe the actions taken to manage an area of tropical rainforest sustainably at a local or regional scale and evaluate the success of these actions.
Remember: For a level 3 answer you must show place specific details.
Model answer:
An example of tropical rainforest management at a local scale is the Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve in Borneo. The Reserve covers an area of 120km by 40 km and has a variety of plants from lowland forest to cloud forest. The Crocker Range is home to endangered species such as the orang-utan and the clouded leopard. This makes the area unique.
The actions taken to manage the area involve setting up a core area which is very protected. Only long term research projects, environmental education on small scale tourism are permitted. Only 200 people live within this zone.
Around this zone is a buffer zone with many village communities and palm oil and rubber plantations which are carefully monitored.
The Reserve is very successful in managing the rainforest sustainably. In the core zone all activities are greatly limited and controlled. For example, tourism is small scale and very carefully regulated which means that harmful impacts on the ecosystem can be minimised. On the other hand, within the buffer zone the local communities are allowed to continue traditional activities such as hunting wild pigs, which is not really an example of sustainable management.

6. Case study: Small scale sustainable management in a polar environment.
Describe the actions taken to sustainably manage a small scale polar environment area. How successful have the actions been?
1) It must be a small scale polar environment.
2) Describe the actions taken. Give specific examples.
3) Evaluate. How successful? Any limitations?
The recommended case study is –
Sustainable tourism at Union Glacier, Antarctica.
Text book page 124

7. Case study: Global sustainable management in a polar environment.
For a named example, describe the actions taken to sustainably manage a polar environment at the global scale and evaluate the success of the actions.
1) It must be a polar environment and a global scale action
2) Describe the actions taken. Give specific examples.
3) Evaluate. How successful? Any limitations?
The recommended case study is –
The Antarctic Treaty system.
Text book page

8. Sustaining ecosystems:
In addition to the 3 case studies you must also revise –
What is an ecosystem? Biotic & abiotic
Global distribution of world biomes
– the main features of each biome
- the climate features of each biome
Understanding and describing a climate graph
Tropical rainforests – global distribution and why
- structure: emergent, canopy, under canopy, shrub layer
- interdependence, nutrient cycle, biomass, leaching,
- threats to the rainforest from human activities
Polar environments – the flora, fauna and climate features
- threats from human activities, including climate change