Water And Carbon Cycle 6 Markers (1)

Question 1

Analyse the data shown in figure 1 (GHG contribution by LIC,LMIC, UMIC, HIC) (2018)

Answer 1

 Figure 1 shows that high income countries are still the biggest contributors to GHG production but that there has been little growth between 1990 and 2010 in particular (0.4 Gigatonnes of CO2).
 It is upper-middle income countries which have seen the fastest rates of growth of the time periods. For instance, there has been an almost doubling from 98 to 18.3 gigatonnes of CO2 produced. Industry appears to have more than doubled in its contribution to GHG in this group of countries (from approximately to 2 to around 5 gigatonnes).
 Low and low-middle income countries contribute relatively little to the overall GHG emissions. For instance, combined in 2010 they produced only 11.3 gigatonnes, 7.4 gigatonnes less than high income countries. These countries greatest contribution comes through agriculture (especially for low income countries) with very little through energy use and transport.

Question 2

Analyse the data shown in figure 1 (hydrograph and a simulated hydrograph for Taguibo Watershed in Mindanao Island, southern Philippines) (2019)

Answer 2

The first round of rainfall appears to make little impact on either the
measured or simulated discharge. Rainfall peaks at 2 mm and the event appears to last around 4–5 hours. Discharge remains at between 1–2 m3/sec. The simulated discharge appears to show some response to the event with a sharp rise and quick return to below normal baseflow within 4–5 hours. It is the measured flow which shows very little response to the event.

The second event appears to start around 6pm on 14.04.07 and last around 10 hours. The lag time is longer for both the measured and simulated discharge. The peak is also lower at around 6.6 m3/sec. The simulation is even less accurate following the second event. The peak is lower than the measured flow by over 2 m3/sec and the return to base flow is less pronounced.

Question 3

Analyse the data shown in figure 1 (Annual and 5-year moving average rainfall data for two measuring stations in South Africa: Royal Observatory and Dwarsberg)

Answer 3

Both graphs show substantial fluctuation in terms of annual rainfall data and the moving 5-year average. The Royal Observatory has a range from 350 to around 950 – a range of 600 mm. In 2009–2011 that range and variation is strongly exemplified. The range is much higher for the Dwarsberg station. Here the range is from 1800 to 4500 – a range of 2700 mm.

Rainfall at the Dwarsberg Observatory is generally much higher than the Royal Observatory. The lowest rainfall at Dwarsberg appears to be just under 2000 mm in 2014, whereas the highest rainfall at the Royal Observatory is around 950 mm in 2009. This is a difference of over 1000 mm. Similarly peak rainfall is around 4500 at Dwarsberg. This is over 3500 mm higher than the peak at the Royal Observatory.

Question 4

Analyse the data shown in figure 1 (The impact of different rates of deforestation and afforestation upon land surface temperature (LST) at different latitudes. The data was collected between 2000 and 2011.) (2021)

Answer 4

Afforestation is more likely to lead to a reduction in land surface temperature. The most extreme temperature decreases can be seen where temperatures fall by up to 1.7oC at latitudes -25oS and a reduction in 50–70% surface cover. Some obvious anomalies exist eg at 5oS, 10%–30% afforestation appears to lead to a small temperature increase.

The pattern is arguably less predictable for deforestation. As a generalisation increasing deforestation leads to higher land surface temperatures with figures up to 1.7oC noted between 15oN and 15oS.

Between 55 and 75oN, almost any deforestation leads to temperature decrease and at around 45oN, with 70% decrease in forest, there is a significant drop in land surface temperature.

There is a lack of data between 25oN and 15oS. This does make it more difficult to identify patterns within the data at these latitudes and also makes it more difficult to compare latitudes.

Question 5

Using Figure 1, analyse projected rainfall change in Africa. (Specimen)

Answer 5

• Analysis shows that overall Africa is expected to see an
increase in the amount of rainfall for most months. The biggest increases appear to be in January, April and November (around 4 mm).
• However, from May to September, this model suggests that rainfall will be lower than the 1986–2005 average by as much as 4 mm in August.Some students may calculate this as a reduction from 67 to 63 mm.

For many months, February, March, May and September, there is little change expected. Spatially, the north of Africa is broadly expected to experience little change.

There are present anomalies where rainfall is set to fall such as south-west Nigeria which is expected to experience up to a 25 mm reduction in rainfall.