A level Paper 1 2019

Question 1

Outline flows within the water cycle operating on a hill slope? (4 marks)

Answer 1

• Surface runoff occurs when water runs over the ground. Occurs when soil is saturated
• Infiltration occurs when water moves from the surface down to soils until it reaches groundwater

Question 2

Analyse the data shown in Figure 1. (6 marks)

Answer 2

P - Stimulated discharge response to the first event with a quick rise and return to normal baseflow within 4-5 hours
E - Rainfall peaks at 2mm and event lasts 4-5 hours. Discharge remains between 1-2 m^3/s
D - the stimulated discharge quadraples from 6pm to 00:00
A - By 6pm on 14.04.07 there is an immediate increase in discharge (7 m^3/s). Lag time between 3-4 hours and lower peak at 1 m^3/s
L - The second pattern starts around 6pm on 14.04.07 and last 10 hours

Question 3

Using Figure 2a, Figure 2b and your own knowledge, assess the potential impact of changing vegetation cover upon the runoff in this area. (6 marks)

Answer 3

AO1:

• Agriculture: Deforestation - less interception - more surface runoff
• Afforestation - more interception - less surface runoff

AO2:

• Zone 11 shows that it has changed from mixed vegetation to forest and runoff as a result has almost halved. This is likely due to increased interception and therefore more infiltration into the soil and less runoff
• Zone 7 has a built up area created in 2001 and forest cover increase by 2007. Runoff in this area increases slightly in response to the urbanisation and then decreases again as forest cover increases in the area. However, this is not a significant change implying that there may be other factors contributing to this change
• Overall, changing vegetation cover often has an impact on runoff, however, it is not the only contributing factor.

Question 4

To what extent does an understanding of feedback systems in the carbon cycle help with attempts to mitigate the impacts of climate change? (20 marks)

Introduction

Answer 4

• Feedback systems is a cyclical process
• Positive feedbacks amplies
• Negative feedback remains the same
• Mitigation to reduce/prevent effects

Question 5

To what extent does an understanding of feedback systems in the carbon cycle help with attempts to mitigate the impacts of climate change? (20 marks)

Para 1

Answer 5

• Example of positive feedback: Increased CO2, global temp rises, less rainforest due to more drought, more decomposition in biomass, more CO2 in atmosphere
• More carbon (causing greenhouse effect) means more international mitigation strategies (e.g. Paris Agreement 2015)
• 196 countries, global climate agreement to keep global warming below 2 degrees

Question 6

To what extent does an understanding of feedback systems in the carbon cycle help with attempts to mitigate the impacts of climate change? (20 marks)

para 2

Answer 6

• Example of positive feedback loop: burning fossil fuels, increased CO2, increased global temp, more evaporation and precipitation, more CO2 dissolved in rainwater and stored, carbon store increases
• To stop problem, countries need to mitigate against carbon to stop positive feedback loops
• Example: UK is developing UK carbon capture and storage (UKCCSRS) to achieve a net-zero greenhouse has emission by 2050

Question 7

To what extent does an understanding of feedback systems in the carbon cycle help with attempts to mitigate the impacts of climate change? (20 marks)

Conclusion

Answer 7

• Positive feedback amplify the rise in temp caused by anthropogenic climate change
• Need to understand systems for targets to reduce carbon emissions for the future

Question 8

Explain the development of saltmarsh environments. (4 marks)

Answer 8

• Salt marshes develop in sheltered estuaries behind spits. As the spit develops, the area behind it becomes sheltered
• Silt is deposited by the river which gradually builds up to form an inter-tidal mud flat.
• The mud flat continues to build and rise above sea level with more silt

Question 9

Analyse the data shown in Figure 5. (6 marks)

Answer 9

• P - Variation in the rates of accretion and erosion of sandy beaches in the world
• E - Location patterns where erosion is dominant (e.g. India) or accretion (e.g. south-east Asia)
• D - Beaches are experiencing net gains (e.g. south-east Asia). This area is experiencing accretion rates over 1m/yr greater than other continents.
• A - At 30 degrees West, there is erosion over 50% with accretion at 5%
• L - In terms of longitude, where rates are high for erosion, rates also high for accretion

Question 10

Using Figure 6 and your own knowledge, assess the role of vegetation in the development of this landscape. (6 marks)

Answer 10

AO1:
* Sand dunes; factors/processes
* Coastal processes (e.g. transportation)

AO2:
* Dunes developed due to onshore winds and transportation
* Wind blows sand above high-water mark by traction and saltation
* In Figure 6, process over many years. Vegetation has adapted to the environment. Marram grass to first colonise the area.
* Grasses trap blowing sand and help to build the dune. Dunes in foreground are smaller and colonised. Vegetation is one species