Climate Change

Question 1

How do we know climate change exists? (4)

Answer 1

The level of atmospheric carbon has rapidly increased.
Global temperatures have risen by 1.18C since the 19th century.
Extreme events- increased frequency of drought and intense rainfall events.
Sea level rise of 20m in the last century.

Question 2

Where are GHG emissions largest?

Answer 2

From the land

Question 3

What has global temperatures affected? (4)

Answer 3

Evapotranspiration
Soil nutrient release
Soil Organic Matter
Permafrost
Evaporation

Question 4

How have global temperatures affected soil and SOM?

Answer 4

Increased SOM decomposition and a loss of Carbon in soil

Question 5

How have global temperatures affected evapotranspiration?

Answer 5

Evapotranspiration has increased resulting in higher loss of carbon if the soil is high in water content

Question 6

How have global temperatures affected nutrient release?

Answer 6

Increased nutrient release which means plants are unable to use all of the nutrients increasing nutrient loss

Question 7

How have global temperatures affected evaporation?

Answer 7

It has increased evaporation causing the drying of soil and plants (drought)

Question 8

How have global temperatures affected permafrost?

Answer 8

Melting of permafrost has resulted in higher GHG emissions. Permafrost contains a lot of carbon and organic matter which is released when it melts

Question 9

What are climate-driven changes in terrestrial ecosystems? (2)

Answer 9

Shifts in climate zones- increase of dry, arid climate zones and decrease of polar climate zones
Plant and animal species location changes

Question 10

How has vegetation photosynthetic activity changed? (3)

Answer 10

The growing season has extended.
Increased temperatures in high latitudes.
CO2 fertilisation and nitrogen deposition.

Question 11

Why is further greening at risk?

Answer 11

Increase in drought conditions

Question 12

How is drought increased? (3)

Answer 12

Reduced soil moisture content
Lower crops and drier vegetation
Reduced ecosystem services

Question 13

What are visual sights of drought in the UK? (3)

Answer 13

Grass browning and wilting plants
Soils water repellency
Soil cracking

Question 14

Why is flood a risk in the UK?

Answer 14

Increase in soil water repellency and infiltration takes longer

Question 15

Where does soil cracking occur?

Answer 15

In soils that contain more clay due to the shrinking of clay minerals

Question 16

How are fires affected in the UK?

Answer 16

Reduced soil moisture increases the severity and intensity of fires in peatlands and forests

Question 17

What can drought also increase in the UK?

Answer 17

Wind erosion

Question 18

Why is wind erosion negative?

Answer 18

Soil is removed and deposited in areas where it is not needed (organic matter and nutrients removed)

Question 19

Why is flooding negative in the UK?

Answer 19

Can cause further erosion of soil

Question 20

Where is drought particularly frequent?

Answer 20

In low latitude land areas such as the Mediterranean, North Africa and the middle east

Question 21

Why is heavy precipitation negative?

Answer 21

Increases in surface flooding and erosion especially near rivers and floodplains

Question 22

Other negative affects of heavy precipitation? (2)

Answer 22

Water logging of croplands- reduction of yield

Heavy rainfall can lead to landslides on areas on a slope

Question 23

What can mitigate flooding?

Answer 23

Forests

Question 24

How can forests mitigate flooding?

Answer 24

Increase in interception and decreases the amount of water reaching the surface