Topic 2.3: Habitat, Niche and Interactions Questions

In 2023 carbon dioxide in the air at Mauna Loa, Hawaii, averaged 421 ppm, the highest ever recorded there. Outline one method to mitigate the effects of carbon stored in the atmosphere.

Figure 1 shows how forest cover has changed in the Kessa uplands since 1960. Outline one way in which this loss of forest alters how carbon is stored in the uplands' ecosystems.

Along the coast of Ecuador, large areas of mangrove forest have been cleared to dig shrimp farming ponds. Outline one way in which clearing mangroves alters the way that carbon is stored in the ecosystem.

In the Serengeti, grass is eaten by wildebeest, which are eaten by lions. Distinguish between how energy and matter move through this ecosystem.

The coal-fired Belchatow power station in Poland is a carbon source. Define the term carbon source.

Figure 1 shows a simplified carbon cycle for a temperate woodland. Identify the flows X and Y shown in Figure 1.

Scientists say carbon in coal has a very long residence time. Define the term residence time.

Figure 1 shows two maps of the region around Port Ellery: the main ecosystems, and the total carbon they store. Using Figure 1, identify the ecosystem with the highest carbon storage in the Port Ellery region.

Each winter, strong winds blow across the cold North Atlantic Ocean. Outline how carbon dioxide from the atmosphere enters the ocean.

Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has risen from about 280 ppm before the industrial age to over 420 ppm today. Explain why measures are needed to reduce the effects of human activities on the carbon cycle.

In Iceland, the Carbfix project injects carbon dioxide into basalt rock, where it turns into stone within two years. Outline one method to reduce the effects of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

The Flow Country peatland in Scotland is described as a carbon sink. Define the term carbon sink.

Figure 1 shows the stores and flows of carbon in the Tolla basin. Identify one inorganic carbon store shown in Figure 1.

In the Kessel Forest, the trees store 180 tonnes of carbon per hectare and the soil stores 220 tonnes per hectare. Calculate the total carbon stored per hectare in the forest.

Figure 1 shows two maps of the island of Keld: the main ecosystems, and the total carbon they store. Using Figure 1, identify the ecosystem with the highest carbon storage in the island of Keld.

Figure 1 shows carbon stored in the soil of a mangrove forest at Kaliwu Bay and in shrimp ponds dug where mangroves were cleared. Calculate the difference between carbon stored in the soil of the mangrove forest and of the shrimp ponds.

Figure 1 shows carbon stored in tundra soil on the Kivalo Plateau, where the ground stays frozen and where the permafrost has thawed. Calculate the difference between carbon stored in the soil where the permafrost stays frozen and where it has thawed.

Figure 1 shows two maps of the Varna Valley: the main ecosystems, and the total carbon they store. Using Figure 1, identify the ecosystem with the highest carbon storage in the Varna Valley.

Carbon dioxide in the air at Mauna Loa, Hawaii, has risen from 354 ppm in 1990 to over 420 ppm today. Outline how an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide causes ocean acidification.

Singapore plans to plant one million more trees by 2030 and to put solar panels on many rooftops. Outline one method of reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.