Chapters 5.3-5.6

Question 1

What evidence can be used to support theories of global warming?

Answer 1

Temperature records, pollen analysis from peat bogs, and dendrochronology.

Question 2

How can pollen grains be used to determine past climate conditions?

Answer 2

It allows us to see which plants grew in the area, and because certain plants only grow in certain temperatures, it can give us an idea of the temperature in the area.

Question 3

How can tree rings be used to determine past climate conditions?

Answer 3

Wider tree rings indicate warmer temperatures.

Question 4

How does the greenhouse effect warm the Earth?

Answer 4

Greenhouse gases trap infrared radition from the sun while some of it is released into space.

Question 5

Why is global warming considered a controversial issue?

Answer 5

Scientists cannot prove theories, only disprove them and we have incomplete knowledge of how our planet’s climate system works.

Question 6

How does climate change affect the distribution of species?

Answer 6

Some species may become dominant because of more favourable conditions, but some species may need to migrate.

Question 7

How does climate change affect species development and life cycles?

Answer 7

Some species may breed at certain times of the year, and the sex of some organisms depends on the temperature.