Systems In Physical Geography

Question 1

3 carbon cycles

Answer 1

Global (closed)

Local (open)

Regional (open)

Question 2

Explain regional carbon cycle

Answer 2

Carbon stores, transfers and processes change over time in a biome

At each stage, vegetation becomes more varied and abundant as increasing amounts of both carbon and water are stored and become available for plants to use
MORE stores, flows and transfers

This is because of vegetation succession -> plants in soil -> decomposition and as animals decompose

Question 3

How are carbon stores different of geographical scales

Answer 3

Singular plant, forest, lake, biome: rainforest, global: atmosphere

Question 4

How are carbon stores unevenly distributed

Answer 4

2 main carbon stores: lithosphere and hydrosphere

Earth has oceans and land

Some have vast supply of fossil fuels, some have none

Most carbon flows/transfers are also processes

Question 5

Carbon flows or transfers vary in timescale

How;

Answer 5

Slow - millions of years eg the carbon built up in the formation of sedimentary rocks (sedimentation) and released when they are weathered

Fast - take place within a lifetime eg vegetation takes in carbon through photosynthesis and releases it through decomposition (leaf litter) within months

Question 6

Water cycle flows and speed

Answer 6

Precipitation - speed (all 3)

Groundwater flow (speed small)

Infiltration (speed is medium)

Transpiration (speed is medium but can be all 3)

Percolation (speed small)

Evaporation (medium 3/ all 3)

Overland flow (all 3 —> but fastest —> gradient of soil)

Through flow

River flow (fast)

Question 7

Water cycles stores and size

Answer 7

Surface storage - size is all 3

Tree- store size all 3

Soil water storage - size small

Cloud - small size

Groundwater store

River - store medium/large