water, carbon and life on earth

Question 1

relationships between two cycles(6)

Answer 1

• rainfall on deforested land causes soil erosion. if soil enters rivers it increases the carbon content of rivers
• deforestation on peatlands and digging of drainage channels reduces water storage. the organic peat is no longer preserved so decomposes quickly. which releases co2 into the atmosphere
• blocking drainage ditches in peat rainforests helps restore the natural environment by increasing soil water storage and decreasing runoff. water storage increases so is carbon storage in peat
• ocean warming- enhanced greenhouse effect is forcing the oceans to be warmer
• permafrost melting-carbon causing permafrost to melt which releases co2 and methane
• ocean acidification- where ocean water is more acidic die to rising co2 levels

Question 2

importance of cloud cover on life on earth

Answer 2

• co2 and water vapour provide cloud nuclei
• clouds require this nuclei to form
• air particles increase so more clouds form
• this impacts rain and therefore life on earth as it effects the climate

Question 3

examples of positive feedback loops

Answer 3

• increased temps due to carbon-increased amount of evaporation from the oceans-more water vapour in the atmosphere-water vapour acts as a greenhouse gas
• increased temps from carbon-causes melting permafrost-this releases carbon- increases amount of carbon in atmosphere

Question 4

examples of negative feedback loops

Answer 4

• increased temps-increases growth of plants-carbon absorbed drives photosynthesis-carbon stored in tissues and leaves of plants-reduces amount of carbon- helps reduce surface temps