To what extent are the water and carbon cycles linked? Flashcards
How are the water and carbon cycles linked?
Through processes like photosynthesis, respiration, and evaporation.
What human activities have modified water and carbon stores?
- Deforestation
- Urbanization
What is the impact of climate change on the global water cycle?
Increased evaporation and altered precipitation patterns.
What is the effect of global warming on the carbon cycle?
It influences rates of photosynthesis and decomposition.
What is the primary source of energy consumption that relies on fossil fuels?
84 percent of primary energy consumption.
What percentage of carbon is absorbed by the oceans and biosphere annually?
Around 2.5 billion tonnes each.
What is the consequence of massive deforestation on the carbon cycle?
A significant decrease in carbon stored in the biosphere.
How does ocean acidity increase?
When CO2 inputs from the atmosphere exceed outputs to the atmosphere.
What is the effect of global warming on extreme weather events?
Increased power and frequency of hurricanes and mid-latitude storms.
How is global warming affecting the cryosphere?
Accelerating melting of glaciers, ice sheets, and permafrost.
What percentage of Earth’s land surface do wetlands occupy?
6-9 percent.
What percentage of the terrestrial carbon pool is contained in wetlands?
35 percent.
What are some management strategies to protect the global carbon cycle?
- Wetland restoration
- Afforestation
- Sustainable agricultural practices
- Controls on greenhouse gas emissions.
What is wetland restoration?
The process of restoring wetlands to improve their ecological functions and carbon storage capacity.
What has caused the loss of wetland areas in the lower 48 US states since 1600?
Population growth, economic development, and urbanization.
True or False: Higher global temperatures generally decrease rates of decomposition.
False.
What happens to carbon stored in tropical biomes as forests are replaced by grasslands?
The amount of carbon stored diminishes.
What is the impact of permafrost thawing on carbon release?
Releases carbon as temperatures rise and allow oxidation and decomposition.
What is the effect of ocean acidification on phytoplankton?
Reduces photosynthesis by phytoplankton, limiting the ocean’s capacity to store carbon.
Fill in the blank: Wetland restoration can store on average _______ tonnes C/ha/year.
3.25 tonnes.
What are some international initiatives aimed at wetland protection?
- International Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar)
- European Union Habitats Directive.
What is afforestation?
Planting trees in deforested areas or areas that have never been forested.
What is the UN’s REDD scheme aimed at?
Incentivizing developing countries to conserve their rainforests.
What is a significant consequence of unsustainable agricultural practices?
Soil erosion and release of large quantities of carbon.
What are two major sources of methane (CH4) emissions from agriculture?
- Intensive livestock farming
- Flooded rice fields.
What was the first significant international agreement to tackle climate change?
Kyoto Protocol (1997).
What does the Paris Agreement aim to achieve by 2050?
Reduce global CO2 emissions below 60 percent of 2010 levels.
What is the key feature of the cap and trade system?
Businesses are allocated an annual limit for CO2 emissions.
Fill in the blank: The Paris Agreement aims to keep global warming below _______ °C.
2 °C.
What historical responsibility do rich countries have regarding climate change?
They are largely to blame for contemporary global warming through their industrialization.
What is zero tillage?
Growing crops without ploughing the soil, conserving organic content and reducing erosion.
Zero tillage helps maintain soil structure and moisture.
Define polyculture in agriculture.
Growing annual crops interspersed with trees, providing ground cover and soil protection.
This method enhances biodiversity and reduces soil erosion.
What are crop residues?
Stems, leaves, etc., left on fields after harvest to protect against erosion and drying out.
They help in maintaining soil health and moisture.
How can heavy farm machinery impact soil?
It can lead to compaction and increase the risk of erosion by surface run-off.
This is particularly problematic on wet soils.
What is contour ploughing?
Ploughing along the contours of slopes to reduce run-off and erosion.
This technique helps maintain soil moisture and reduces soil loss.
How does introducing new rice strains help reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
These strains grow in drier conditions and produce less CH4.
This reduces methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas.
What is the purpose of manure management in agriculture?
To control decomposition and reduce CH4 emissions.
Storing manure in anaerobic containers captures methane as renewable energy.
What are carbon credits?
Credits awarded to businesses for emitting less than their CO2 quota, tradable on international markets.
Exceeding quotas leads to financial penalties or the need to purchase additional credits.
What is the REDD programme?
A UN program aimed at reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.
It funds projects in over 50 partner countries to protect tropical forests.
What percentage of global water withdrawals does agriculture account for?
70% of water withdrawals and 90% of consumption.
This highlights the significant impact of agriculture on water resources.
List techniques to minimize water loss in agriculture.
- Mulching
- Zero soil disturbance
- Drip irrigation
- Terracing
- Contour ploughing
- Vegetative strips
These techniques help conserve water and improve efficiency.
What is drainage basin planning?
Management of water resources at the drainage basin scale to accommodate conflicting demands.
It integrates various water uses, including agriculture, industry, and recreation.
What are the specific targets for drainage basin planning?
- Run-off
- Surface water storage
- Groundwater levels
Targets are set to ensure sustainable water management.
True or False: Improved water harvesting can provide farmers with extra water resources.
True
Techniques like storing water in ponds and reservoirs enhance water availability.
What is the significance of the Amazon Regional Protected Areas (ARPA) programme?
It aims to protect nearly 150 million acres of the Amazon Basin, promoting biodiversity and carbon storage.
This program is supported by multiple international organizations.
Fill in the blank: The __________ role of forests in the global water cycle is recognized by multilateral agencies.
[crucial]
Forests play a vital role in regulating water cycles and maintaining ecosystem balance.
How does afforestation help combat desertification?
By restoring vegetation, improving soil quality, and reducing erosion.
This contributes to ecosystem stability and water retention.
What factors contribute to geographical differences in global net primary productivity (NPP)?
Factors include climate, soil quality, and vegetation types.
These elements affect the amount of biomass produced in different regions.
Describe the relationship between global temperature anomalies and atmospheric CO2 concentrations based on historical data.
As atmospheric CO2 concentrations increase, global temperature anomalies also tend to rise.
This reflects the greenhouse effect and climate change dynamics.
