Higher Geography – Human Environments

Rural

By the end of this topic you should be able to:

For each of the following farming systems - shifting cultivation, intensive peasant
farming (e.g. paddy cultivation), and extensive commercial farming (e.g. cereal
production):
• describe and explain the main farming features and methods
• explain the population density associated with the farming system
• describe the farming changes which have taken place
• discuss the benefits and problems resulting from the changes
• assess the impact of changes on people, ways of life and the landscape
• comment on successes and problems resulting from the changes.

Referring to a named area of shifting cultivation (a case study such as the Amazon):
• describe and explain how crop outputs decline over time
• suggest possible reasons for a reduced fallow period, and explain the likely impact on
soils.

Referring to a named area of intensive peasant farming (a case study such as Kedah):
• describe the traditional methods of rice production
• describe changes in crop production, and suggest general reasons for increased crop
yields due to e.g. the ‘Green Revolution’.

Referring to a named area of extensive commercial farming (a case study such as the
American Prairies):
• describe how physical and human factors have affected the farming activities, and
comment on their relative importance
• explain the settlement pattern which has developed.

GMTs
• describe and analyse land use data and crop yields in maps, diagrams and tables
• analyse farm survey results shown e.g. in tables
• annotate and analyse field sketches and photographs of rural landscapes
• comment on the accuracy of statements which describe farming patterns shown on maps,
diagrams, tables, etc.
 Past Paper Questions – Rural

2001
Intensive peasant farming landscape in Southern Asia – for this area, or any area of
intensive peasant farming you have studies, describe and account for the main features of
the farming landscape. (5)

2002
Shifting cultivation - For a named location, describe and explain the characteristics of this
farming system. (6)

2003
For either extensive commercial agriculture or intensive peasant farming, describe how such
changes and new practices have affected the people and the farming landscape in a named
location you have studied. (6)

2004
Choose one of the traditional farming systems shown on the map (intensive peasant farming
or shifting cultivation). Referring to a named area where this type of farming is carried out,
assess the impact which recent changes have had on the people, their way of life and the
farming landscape. (6)

2005
Reference diagram shows “traditional” features of an intensively farmed area in South-east
Asia.
a) Describe and account for the main features of the farming landscape shown on the
sketch. (4)
b) Outline the changes in farming practices which may have taken place in recent years.
(3)

2006
a) Describe and explain the main features of a commercial arable farming landscape. (3)
b) Referring to a named area of a commercial arable farming which you have studied:
a. Describe the changes which have taken place;
b. Discuss the impact of such changes on the people and the local environment. (5)

2007
a) Describe the main characteristics of shifting cultivation. (3)
b) Referring to a named area where shifting cultivation is carried out, explain the impact
which deforestation and increased population density have had on the environment and
way of life of the shifting cultivators. (4)