2024

Question 1

Conditions for life on Earth- features of Earth that sustain life

Answer 1

Mass, distance from the sun, axis of rotation, speed of rotation and magnetic field

Question 2

Conditions for life on Earth- early conditions that sustain life

Answer 2

Presence of liquid of water, temp range, atmospheric gases and solar insolation

Question 3

Conservation- importance of conserving species

Answer 3

Resources, new food species, eradication of pests, biomimetics, medicines, physiological research, genetic resources and ecosystem services

Question 4

Conservation- human activities threatening wildlife

Answer 4

Direct exploitation, eradication of predators/competitors, abiotic/biotic changes, introduced species and habitat destruction

Question 5

Conservation- legal protection and categorising species

Answer 5

IUCN, red list, recategorizing, flagship species, keystone species, trade controls and organisations

Question 6

Conservation- habitat protection

Answer 6

Protected areas, agri-enviro schemes, unintentional/intentional creation

Question 7

Conservation- habitat design

Answer 7

Abiotic and biotic conditions

Question 8

Conservation- selected habitats (features, importance, threats and control)

Answer 8

Temperate broadleaf woodland, tropical rainforest, tropical coral reefs, deep water coral reefs, oceanic islands and mangroves

Question 9

Life processes in the biosphere- succession

Answer 9

Any detailed ecological succession- hydro, psammo or litho

Question 10

Atmosphere- how the atmosphere supports life

Answer 10

Gases for natural processes, absorption of EM, delaying IR escape, heat distribution, ocean currents and transport water vapour

Question 11

Atmosphere- consequences of GCC

Answer 11

Ecological changes, changes in climatic processes, cryosphere changes, sea level rise, change sin ocean currents and human societal impacts

Question 12

Atmosphere- data collection

Answer 12

Proxy data, historic, ice core analysis, satellites, monitoring ocean currents and computer models

Question 13

Hydrosphere- environmental effects of reservoirs

Answer 13

Habitat change, wildlife barriers, river regime downstream, sedimentation and microclimates

Question 14

Hydrosphere- environmental effects of aquifer exploitation

Answer 14

Changes in surface hydrology, ecological impacts, salt water incursion, subsidence and reduces supplies

Question 15

Lithosphere- improvements in exploitation

Answer 15

Remote sensing image resolution, portable field equipment, low-grade deposits and polymetallic nodules

Question 16

Lithosphere- recycling problems

Answer 16

Labour, transportation, lack of public cooperation, identification, energy costs, separation and waste losses

Question 17

Biogeochemical cycles- processes, impacts and control

Answer 17

Carbon or nitrogen

Question 18

Soil- methods to reduce soil erosion

Answer 18

Long-term crops, zero-tillage cultivation, contour ploughing, tied ridging, terracing, rows of stones, windbreaks, multicropping, increased organic matter and livestock management

Question 19

Energy- fossil fuels

Answer 19

Features, environmental impacts and improvements

Question 20

Energy- nuclear

Answer 20

Features, advantages vs disadvantages, technology

Question 21

Energy- renewables

Answer 21

Biofuels, solar, wind, tidal, geothermal and HEP

Question 22

Pollution- pollutants

Answer 22

Pesticides, solid waste disposal, ionising radiation and oil

Question 23

Pollution-environmental features affecting pollutant

Answer 23

Temperature, light levels, oxygen, pH and pollutant interactions

Question 24

Agriculture- pesticides

Answer 24

Cultural (crop-rotation, companion crops, predator habitats, biological control, sterile male techniques, pheromone traps, genetic resistance and GM) vs artificial

Question 25

Agriculture- controlling abiotic and biotic conditions

Answer 25

Temp(greenhouse, disperse cold air with large fan to prevent frost, cloths, shelter), light(artificial), water (irrigation), nutrients(fertiliser), aeration(ploughing, drainage, add OM, low tillage, livestock management), salinity(adding water), pH(lime/powdered sulfur), pest control, pollinators and maintenance of soil biota

Question 26

Agriculture- environmental impacts

Answer 26

Habitat impacts, introduced species, pollution, changes in hydrological cycle and soil erosion

Question 27

Agriculture- manipulation of food species

Answer 27

Population control (density and monocultures), control of genetics (asexual reproduction, selective breedings, crossbreeding), GM