Unbalanced Carbon Cycle

Question 1

The impact of Climate Change on Corals reefs and associated tourism:

Answer 1

Importance:
Coral reef structures buffer shorelines against waves, storms floods - helping to prevent loss of life, property damage, and erosion.
They provide tourism opportunities - e.g. snorkelling along the Great Barrier Reef.
Their destruction would affect LICs and NICs - for example, several million people live in US coastal areas.

Tourism and climate change:
Sea level rise will affect coastal tourism infrastructure.
Climat change will lead to changes in biodiversity (migration of species away, coral bleaching), affecting eco-tourism.
Increased stormy weather will discourage people from going on holiday.`

Question 2

Deforestation in Madagascar:

Answer 2

In 1950, there were 11.6 million hectares of rainforest.
In 1985 there were 3.8 million hectares of rainforest.
Deforestation has a major impact on terrestrial carbon stores.
The rivers Sofia and Betsiboka have turned red due to soil erosion. More than 400 tonnes per hectare per year of loose soil is being washed into these rivers.

Question 3

Conversion of grasslands to farmland in the USA

Answer 3

The grasslands are being converted to meet US Environmental Protection Agency’s renewable fuel standard policy.
Increasing the use of ethanol in petrol
Boosting the economies of rural US states
Reducing international dependence
Reducing CO2 emissions
Over 5.5 million hectares have disappeared affecting wildlife hugely.