Topic 5 Land
Identify two anthropogenic inputs in a managed soil system and two natural inputs originating from within an ecosystem.
Anthropogenic: Compost, fertilisers, agrochemicals, and irrigation. Natural (Internal): Weathering of parental rock, plant litter from local vegetation, and decomposition.
Identify the four most abundant greenhouse gases (GHGs) and explain how they prevent infrared radiation from escaping into space.
The most abundant greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, water vapour, methane, and nitrous oxide.
Categorise the following as renewable or non-renewable: nuclear, solar, tidal, hydropower, and fossil fuels.
Renewable: Solar, tidal, and hydropower. Non-renewable: Nuclear and fossil fuels.
Define Total Fertility Rate (TFR) and Life Expectancy
Total Fertility Rate (TFR): The average number of births per woman of childbearing age. Life Expectancy: The average number of years a person is expected to live, usually from birth, if demographic factors remain constant.
Identify the organisms responsible for breaking down leaf litter into smaller fragments and those that decompose them further.
Detritivores (such as earthworms) break leaf litter into smaller fragments. Saprotrophs (such as fungi and bacteria) then decompose these fragments further.
List two local or two global impacts of climate change on ecosystems and their resilience
Local: Coral bleaching and desertification. Global: Changes to ocean circulation and sea-level rise.
Why is global energy consumption rising, and which industries are primarily responsible for our continued dependence on fossil fuels?
Cause: Global consumption is rising due to increasing population and higher per capita demand. Dependent Industries: The steel, concrete, and synthetic fertiliser industries rely heavily on fossil fuels.
Define urbanisation and identify two environmental changes that result from the expansion of urban systems.
Urbanisation: The population shift from rural to urban areas. Environmental Changes: Loss of agricultural land/forests, air pollution, and changes to water quality or river flows.
List the four main components that make up soil.
Soil is composed of inorganic mineral matter (rock fragments, sand, silt, clay), organic matter (living organisms and decaying material), water, and air
Explain how the tricellular model of atmospheric circulation redistributes heat from the equator to the poles
The tricellular model (Hadley, Ferrel, and Polar cells) redistributes heat by moving it from the equator toward the poles. This process reduces extreme heat at the equator and increases temperatures in higher latitudes.
How can waste be classified by source, and what are three typical components found in Solid Domestic Waste (SDW)?
By Source: Domestic, industrial, and agricultural. SDW Components: Paper, glass, metal, plastics, packaging, and food waste
Outline the Demographic Transition Model (DTM), specifically identifying how many stages it contains and what happens to birth and death rates to produce exponential increase.
The DTM consists of five stages. Exponential Increase: Occurs when death rates decline rapidly while birth rates remain high
What is a soil profile, and what transition do its horizons typically show from the surface downward?
A soil profile is a layered structure produced over long periods. Horizons typically show a transition from more organic components at the upper surface to inorganic components below
Explain how the Montreal Protocol successfully addressed stratospheric ozone depletion and its relation to planetary boundaries.
The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty that regulated CFCs and other ozone-depleting substances.
Distinguish between energy conservation (behavioural changes) and energy efficiency (technological improvements) with an example for each.
Energy Conservation: Behavioral changes to reduce use, such as turning off lights or using less air conditioning. Energy Efficiency: Technological improvements, such as designing houses to remove heat or using intelligent lighting.
Distinguish between pro-natalist and anti-natalist population policies and identify one factor they might use to achieve their aims.
Pro-natalist: Policies designed to increase birth rates. Anti-natalist: Policies designed to decrease birth rates. Factors: Governments use cultural, religious, economic, social, or political factors to achieve these aims.
Identify three soil conservation techniques specifically used to prevent water erosion.
Techniques include terracing, contour ploughing, bunding, drainage systems, and the use of cover crops.
What sources of data provide evidence for a positive correlation between atmospheric CO2 and global temperatures over the last 800,000 years?
Positive correlations between CO2 and global temperatures are identified through the analysis of ice cores, tree rings, and deposited sediments.
Compare preventative and restorative waste management strategies. Which is considered more sustainable?
Preventative: Altering human behavior to reduce consumption or production of waste.
Restorative: Cleaning up or restoring damaged systems (e.g., oceanic garbage patches). Sustainability: Preventative strategies are more sustainable.
Explain how acid rain is formed and describe one impact it has on terrestrial habitats and one impact on buildings.
Formation: NOx, SO2 , react with water and oxygen in the air to produce nitric and sulphuric acid.Terrestrial Impact: Leaching of nutrients and toxification of the soil.Building Impact: Corrosion of marble, limestone, and steel.