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Patterns in ENVIRONMENTAL quality and sustainability
Atmosphere and Change
What is our atmosphere and how is it important to us? Watch the Introductory YouTube.
The Planet's Albedo
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Answer the following questions from watching the YouTube on the right:
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Complete the worksheet on Atmospheric Energy Budgets. Use the links and information below. |
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The Atmospheric Energy Budget
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Using page pg. 53 of the IB book 'Course Companion' explain the Atmospheric Energy Budget. This Slide Share might also help
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- IB Style Question: With reference to the map below, describe and explain the variations in Albedo [5]
Global Albedo
- IB Style Question: Describe and explain the trends in the following graph.
Sunspot Activity and Global Temperatures
Climate Change - Global Warming
| climate_classroom.ppt |
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Case Study: Explain the causes and environmental consequences of global climate change firstly in general and then for a specific region in the world.
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Discuss the following images
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Soil and Change
Watch the introductory video on Soil and answer the following questions:
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What is desertification? Define and explain the term.
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Soil degradation in the world
IB Style Question:
- Describe the distribution of the areas of concern from degradation and how might this affect population densities [6]
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Project:
The PowerPoint should:
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Case Studies:
Create a list of mini case studies giving examples of desertification in the world and how people are trying to combat it.
Create a list of mini case studies giving examples of desertification in the world and how people are trying to combat it.
- Where?
- When?
- What?
- Effects?
- Solutions?
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The Sahel (Africa)
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Dust Bowl (USA)
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Small scale local example
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Nepal
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China
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Senegal
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Main causes of Soil degradation by region
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IB Style Question:
'Rapid population growth is the most important cause of soil erosion and degradation' Discuss [15] |
Student Example of
Soil DegradationProject
Soil DegradationProject
Water and Change
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IB Style Question:
Describe the global pattern of access to fresh drinking water |
Percentage of population with access to safe drinking water
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Class project: Report [40 marks]
You will need to create a report on water and that factors that affect its distribution and scarcity: Mark allocation [5 presentation, 5 completeness, 10 content, 10 explanation, 10 examples/case studies]
The following sources will help you with the project:
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Student Examples of Water Reports
IB Exam Style Question:
"Examine the factors affecting access to safe drinking water in two or more locations around the world" [15]
"Examine the factors affecting access to safe drinking water in two or more locations around the world" [15]
Biodiversity and Change
What are Rain-forests and where are they located?
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Revision PowerPoint of Tropical Rainforests
Rainforests from Steven Heath
| rainforests.ppt |
Biodiversity
Define the term: What is Biodiversity? UNEP
Define the term: What is Biodiversity? UNEP
Overview of Causes and consequences of reduced biodiversity in tropical rain forests.(source Greenfiledgeography)
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Why are Rainforests Important?
Biodiversity:
Although rainforests cover only 7% of the world's land mass, it is estimated that they could contain up to 50% of the world's biodiversity. This is potentially up to 15 million species. Photosynthesis: Tropical rainforests are often referred to as the 'lungs of the earth' and convert large amounts of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide back into oxygen. It is estimated that the Amazon rainforest alone produces about 20% of the earth's oxygen. Flood control: Rainforests are an excellent natural measure to reducing flooding. There is leaf cover in rainforests all year so interception continually happens, extending rivers lag time. All vegetation uptakes water and transpires it. Control of soil erosion: The root systems of trees and shrubs hold the very thin soil of rainforest in place. If trees are removed then both erosion of topsoil and landslides are more likely Source of nutrients to humus layer in soil: The topsoil in rainforests is very thin and relies on the nutrients provided by rotting plants and animals. Because of the rainforests climate, there is a constant supply of leaf litter. Medical remedies: Rainforests have been the source of many of today's drugs, including the basic ingredients for the hormone contraceptive pill, quinine (an anti-malaria drug) and curare (a paralysing drug). Cash crops and agricultural products: Yam, coffee, rubber, mango, banana, sugarcane, cocoa and avocado were all first discovered in rainforests. Ecotourism: With people becoming ever more environmentally conscious and looking for increasing adventures, ecotourism to rainforests is increasing. This not only helps protect rainforests, but creates income for locals. Ecotourism is an important income to countries like Costa Rica and Belize. Home to indigenous groups: Although the number of indigenous groups and people have declined rapidly since colonisation in South America, it is estimated that there are still over 200,000 people that consider the Amazon their home - some groups are still uncontacted (see Alternatives). |
Why are Rainforest Being Destroyed?
Cattle Ranching:
As the world's population gets bigger and richer, the demand for meat is increasing. To rear the cattle increasing tracts of the rainforest are being cleared to make pastures for grazing. Subsistence Farming: Because of the large amounts of poor people that still live in tropical areas, subsistence farming is still widespread. Because rainforest soil loses its fertility quickly after deforestation, the most common form of subsistence farming is slash and burn. With growing populations this method of farming can cause widespread deforestation. HEP: Many of the world's great rivers flow through rainforests e.g. the Amazon. These great rivers often have the most HEP potential. Unfortunately when a dam and reservoir are built it causes damage during construction, but also floods large areas. Mining: With an ever increasing demand for the world's natural resources, countries and companies are looking at increasingly isolated locations, places like rainforests and Antarctica. The rainforests are believed to have many resources including metals and fossil fuels beneath their soils. Gold mining can be particular damaging as mercury is used in its extraction and often runs off into rivers. Road building: Building new roads like Trans Amazon highway from Brazil to Bolivia not only causes deforestation itself, but its also opens up new ares to urbanisation, mining and farming causing further deforestation. Urban growth: With the world population increasing as well as rates of urbanisation increasing many cities like Manaus in Brazil are growing rapidly causing deforestation. Population growth: As populations grow, particularly in countries like Brazil, Peru, India and Vietnam that contain rainforests the demand for land increases, both to grow food and to live. Plantations: Primary products are often seen as an income source for LEDCs, many of who have large areas of rainforest. At the same time with fossil fuels running out, alternative fuels sources are been searched for including biofuels e.g. Palm oil. This has lead to widespread deforestation in countries like Malaysia and Indonesia to plant cops like palm oil. Timber (hardwoods): Hardwoods like mahogany and teak that take hundreds of years to grow are still in high demand to make things like furniture. The extraction of these trees can kills trees around them. Also many countries like China are also demanding large amounts of normal timber that are not always taken from sustainable sources. Hunting: Hunting takes two forms, one form is for bushmeat to feed families and enough the sale of animals either alive e.g. parrots or dead for their skins e.g jaguars. |
What are the effects?
Flooding:
Flash floods become more common after deforestation because there is less interception and less root uptake and transpiration. As such rainwater reaches the ground quick, saturating it and causing surface run-off and potential flooding. Landslides: By removing trees and vegetation, you are making the soil less stable. Combine this with saturated ground and the likelihood of floods increases. Biodiversity loss: Because all the species that live in the rainforest are not known it is hard to calculate species loss. However, scientists believe that 1 mammal or bird extinction can be extrapolated to approximately 23,000 extinctions. Reduced photosynthesis: As more and more trees are removed the rate of photosynthesis reduces, releasing more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and contributing to the greenhouse effect. Silting of rivers: With increased flooding and surface run-off moil soils and silt is washed into rivers, this can not only change local ecosystems (water temperature and clarity) but can also reduce the depth of rivers making navigation harder. Silting of seas and oceans: With the increased frequency of flooding and landslides more silt gets washed into the oceans. The increased amount of silts reduces the transparency of the sea reducing the light reefs receive and the temperature of the water. Increased silt can also block important shipping lanes. Breaking of nutrient cycle: The top soil of rainforests is very thin an receives the majority of its nutrients from rotting flora and fauna. By removing trees you also remove animals and therefore the source of the soils nutrients. With increased erosion the top soil (humus) layer is quickly washed away. Sandification/desertification: Because rainforest soil loses its fertility very quickly after deforestation it quickly becomes hard to grow any vegetation on it, leading to sandification and possibly desertification. Loss of indigenous homes: By clearing rainforests you are obviously destroying the homes of indigenous groups. But also moving close to indigenous groups can spread disease and alter local culture and traditions. Reduced rainfall: Deforestation can lead to reduction in local rainfall because less water is intercepted and transpired from vegetation into the atmosphere reducing the formation of clouds and rainfall. |
Case Study
Create a case study on one of the following tropical rain forests (locate them, outline the specific pressures on these ecosystems, what have been the consequences and what management strategies have been employed; were they successful?):
Create a case study on one of the following tropical rain forests (locate them, outline the specific pressures on these ecosystems, what have been the consequences and what management strategies have been employed; were they successful?):
- Case study on deforestation and the Amazon Click here
- Case study on deforestation and the Congo Click here
Example of Student PowerPoints
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IB Exam Style Question:
Essay question: Outline the causes and consequences of a reduction in biodiversity in the tropical rainforests and management strategies that have been implemented [15]
Essay question: Outline the causes and consequences of a reduction in biodiversity in the tropical rainforests and management strategies that have been implemented [15]
Sustainability and the Environment
Extended reading Fisheries and Oceans Canada
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