Fauna, Flora and Touristic Geography — November 2022

Source: 02 FAUNA, FLORA AND TOURISTIC GEOGRAPHY NOV 2022_compressed.pdf | Paper code: 2912/105; 2918/105

Source note: Printed questions were checked visually because handwritten annotations overlap the scan. The annotations are not part of the examination questions.

Question 1(a)

Explain five ways in which weather conditions in semi-desert regions of Kenya discourage tourist visits to the regions. (10 marks)

Answer

  1. Extreme daytime heat makes outdoor activity uncomfortable.
  2. Large day-to-night temperature differences complicate clothing and accommodation needs.
  3. Low and unreliable rainfall can create water shortages.
  4. Dusty winds reduce visibility and make travel unpleasant.
  5. Occasional intense storms can cause flash floods and interrupt access.

Question 1(b)

Describe five characteristics of insects. (10 marks)

Answer

  1. The body has a head, thorax and abdomen.
  2. Adults have three pairs of jointed legs attached to the thorax.
  3. They have one pair of antennae.
  4. A chitinous external skeleton supports and protects the body.
  5. Many adults have one or two pairs of wings, although some insects are wingless.

Question 2(a)

Explain five reasons why the Kenyan Rift Valley is an important tourism region. (10 marks)

Answer

  1. Its escarpments, volcanic landforms and broad landscapes offer distinctive scenery.
  2. The lakes support birdwatching and other suitable visitor activities.
  3. Parks and conservancies offer varied wildlife experiences.
  4. Archaeological and cultural sites support heritage tourism.
  5. Accessible destinations and established accommodation make diverse regional itineraries possible.

Question 2(b)

Explain five reasons why elephants and rock hyraxes are considered to have come from a similar ancestor. (10 marks)

Answer

  1. DNA comparisons place both within related afrotherian lineages and the paenungulate group.
  2. Their upper incisor teeth form tusk-like structures, despite a large difference in size.
  3. Their digits include flattened, hoof-like nails rather than the typical claws of many small mammals.
  4. Their feet have substantial pads supporting weight and contact with the ground.
  5. Males retain the testes within the abdomen rather than in an external scrotum. Anatomical similarities are considered together with molecular and fossil evidence; they do not mean one living species descended from the other.

Question 3(a)

Explain five ways in which a community can be encouraged to participate in ecotourism. (10 marks)

Answer

  1. Include residents in planning and decisions so projects reflect local priorities.
  2. Share revenue transparently to make conservation benefits visible.
  3. Provide local jobs and practical training.
  4. Support community enterprises supplying guiding, crafts, food and accommodation.
  5. Explain conservation objectives and respond fairly to community concerns and wildlife-related losses.

Question 3(b)

Outline five uses of wing feathers on birds. (10 marks)

Answer

  1. Generate lift during flight.
  2. Produce thrust during flapping.
  3. Help steer and control turns.
  4. Assist braking and controlled landing.
  5. Provide visual signals in courtship or other displays in suitable species.

Question 4(a)

Outline five roles played by environmental organizations in protecting the environment. (10 marks)

Answer

  1. Educate communities about environmental protection.
  2. Research and monitor environmental conditions.
  3. Advocate effective environmental policies and enforcement.
  4. Restore degraded habitats through appropriate projects.
  5. Support community conservation and raise resources for environmental programmes.

Question 4(b)

Explain five ways in which the Kenyan tourism industry benefits from marine fish. (10 marks)

Answer

  1. Diverse fish species attract snorkelling and diving visitors.
  2. Recreational fishing supports specialist tourism where lawful and sustainable.
  3. Seafood provides a component of coastal hospitality and cuisine.
  4. Aquatic interpretation and photography broaden available visitor activities.
  5. Healthy fish communities support functioning marine ecosystems that sustain attractive destinations.

Question 5(a)

Explain four benefits that motorists get from using the Nairobi express way. (8 marks)

Answer

  1. A separated through-route can shorten journeys when compared with congested alternatives.
  2. More predictable travel times help motorists plan airport and business trips.
  3. Controlled access can reduce conflicts with roadside activities and frequent intersections.
  4. A direct connection between key areas reduces the inconvenience of some stop-start urban travel. Benefits depend on traffic conditions, access points and the toll paid.

Question 5(b)

Explain six reasons why communities along Kenya’s coastal region are encouraged to conserve mangrove vegetation. (12 marks)

Answer

  1. Roots and vegetation reduce coastal erosion and help stabilise shorelines.
  2. Mangroves provide nursery and feeding habitats for fish and other animals.
  3. Their soils and vegetation store significant quantities of carbon.
  4. They trap sediment and help maintain the quality of coastal waters.
  5. Healthy mangroves support biodiversity, learning and suitable ecotourism activities.
  6. Sustainably managed mangroves support fisheries and other lawful local livelihoods.

Question 6(a)

Describe five adaptive characteristics of roots and leaves of plants that are found in arid climatic areas. (10 marks)

Answer

  1. Deep roots can reach moisture below the dry surface.
  2. Wide, shallow root networks rapidly absorb brief rainfall.
  3. Small leaves or spines reduce the area exposed to evaporation.
  4. Thick, waxy leaf surfaces limit water loss.
  5. Sunken stomata or leaf hairs reduce air movement around pores and help conserve water.

Question 6(b)

Explain five reasons why reptiles are able to survive in desert environments. (10 marks)

Answer

  1. Dry, keratinised skin limits evaporation.
  2. Behaviour such as sheltering in burrows avoids the hottest conditions.
  3. Many land reptiles excrete nitrogen largely as uric acid, reducing water expenditure.
  4. Ectothermy lowers food and metabolic energy requirements compared with similarly sized endotherms.
  5. Internal fertilisation and protected amniotic eggs free reproduction from dependence on open water in many species.

Question 7(a)

Explain five challenges faced in the conservation of amphibians in Kenya’s wetland ecosystems. (10 marks)

Answer

  1. Drainage and conversion destroy breeding habitats.
  2. Pollution affects water quality and permeable amphibian skin.
  3. Drought and altered rainfall disrupt breeding and survival.
  4. Disease and invasive species can reduce vulnerable populations.
  5. Limited survey data, funding and public awareness make protection difficult.

Question 7(b)

Describe five ways in which plants protect themselves against animal predation in the wilderness. (10 marks)

Answer

  1. Thorns or spines make browsing painful or difficult.
  2. Toxic chemicals discourage feeding or harm herbivores.
  3. Bitter or astringent substances make tissues less palatable.
  4. Tough leaves, bark or fibrous tissues resist chewing.
  5. Stinging hairs, irritating sap or other surface defences deter contact.
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