Clarification details
Updated August 2016. This is a new document to address issues that have arisen from moderation.
Analysis of the biophysical environment
At level 3, it is expected that characteristics of the biophysical environmental context are analysed. The description needs to include the natural processes in the physical environment and the associated life forms, for example explaining that the presence or absence of species is linked to the physical environment, and/or explaining that the distribution of the species is related to the physical environment and processes that operate.
Analysing goes beyond listing and describing the biophysical context. Analysis involves giving reasons for patterns and interrelationships between the humans and the biophysical environment. It may be useful to consider a range of criteria for the analysis of the potential/possible measures.
For example, analysis can involve:
- the characteristics of the physical environment as they are related to the species habitat
- the nature of the relationship between humans and the habitat, and the interactions between them in relation to aspects of sustainability. Interrelationships may be those that promote or disrupt the sustainability of the environment
- the potential of different measures to sustain and/or improve the habitat, both now and in the future.
In-depth evaluation for Merit
Several reasons need to be given in terms of the effectiveness of the measures to sustain or improve the biophysical environment and examples and evidence are given to support them.
Critical evaluation for Excellence
Evidence for insightful conclusions may include:
- innovative ideas for measures that go beyond the immediate context
- creative, plausible projections
- a synthesising of the information that has resulted in new and visionary ideas
- implications for further measures in local or wider contexts
- connections made between the biophysical environment, the measures and wider implications.