Topic 5B - Climate Change and Evolution

Question 1

EQ. Explain how reforestation of tropical rainforests can be used to minimise climate change. (3 marks)

Answer 1

• reforestation includes planting new trees
• trees act as a carbon sink and take in more CO2 during photosynthesis than it gives out during respiration
• therefore reducing the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere
• so reducing the greenhouse effect

Question 2

EQ. Explain how studying pollen grains in peat bogs can provide evidence of climate change (4 marks)

Answer 2

• pollen preserved in peat bogs
• the pollen can be used to identify the species of plant
• climate affects the type of plants growing
• so change in pollen shows changing of the climate over time

Question 3

What is dendrochronology?

Answer 3

The study of tree rings as the size of the tree ring depends on temperature

Question 4

Describe the greenhouse effect process?

Answer 4

• Short-wavelength UV radiation passes through Earth’s atmosphere and is reflected from Earth’s surface
• The reflected rays are of a longer wavelength and are trapped by gases like carbon dioxide and methane thus leading to an increase of earth’s temperature

Question 5

EQ. State what is meant by anthropogenic climate change? (2 marks)

Answer 5

• a change in mean temperature

- due to human activity