Systems in physical geography

Explain the concept of negative feedback within the carbon cycle.

Figure 1 is in the insert.

Figure 1 shows changes in the terrestrial water system in response to human activity and climate change between 2012 and 2016.

Analyse the changes in the terrestrial water system shown in Figure 1.

Figure 2 is in the insert.

Figure 2 shows regional changes in forest cover between 1990 and 2010.

Using Figure 2 and your own knowledge, assess the challenges arising out of the changing forest cover.

‘Human activity needs to focus more on adapting to the expected negative impacts of climate change than on taking measures to restore atmospheric carbon to pre-industrial levels.’

How far do you agree with this view?

Outline the sources of water in deserts.

Figures 3a and 3b are in the insert.

Figure 3a shows annual mean temperatures in Australia in 2018 compared to historical temperature observations.

Figure 3b shows annual rainfall in Australia in 2018 compared to historical rainfall observations.

Analyse the extent of the relationships shown in Figure 3a and Figure 3b.

Figure 4 shows a landscape feature in the White Desert in western Egypt.

Note: The White Desert extends over 300 km 2 of the Egyptian Sahara Desert. Sedimentary rocks formed from oceanic deposition in an earlier geological era are now subject to hot desert conditions. Features such as those illustrated protrude above the landscape to give the White Desert its distinctive character. Mushroom-shaped formations can be as high as 4.5 metres.

Using Figure 4 and your own knowledge, assess the role of wind in the development of this landscape.

How far can an understanding of systems in physical geography help to mitigate against the expansion of deserts into semi-arid areas?

Outline the role of wind in the process of transport in hot deserts.

Figures 3a and 3b are in the insert.

Figure 3a shows average total rainfall (1979 – 2009) between November and April measured at multiple recording stations across Saudi Arabia.

Figure 3b shows average total rainfall (1979 – 2009) between June and September measured at multiple recording stations across Saudi Arabia.

Analyse the data shown in Figure 3a and Figure 3b.

Figure 4 shows a landscape in the Namib Desert in southern Africa.

Note: The landforms in this landscape are aligned approximately north-west to south-east and extend from between 16 km to 32 km in length, reaching heights between 60 metres to 240 metres. The sediment source is the Orange River, several kilometres away.

Using Figure 4 and your own knowledge, assess the relative importance of factors leading to the development of this landscape.

To what extent can an understanding of feedback systems help to reduce the problem of desertification?

Outline the role of waves in the transportation of sediments at the coast.

Figure 5 is in the insert.

Figure 5 shows the distribution of coastal erosion and accretion (sediment build up) across selected European coastlines in 2004.

Analyse the data shown in Figure 5.

Figure 6 is a photograph of a landform located in the Humber Estuary, UK.

Note: This landform extends about 5 km across the Humber Estuary and is only 50 metres wide at its narrowest point. The Holderness coastline to the north comprises mainly boulder clay, which is unconsolidated material deposited at the end of the last ice age.

Using Figure 6 and your own knowledge, assess the relative importance of factors leading to the development of this landform.

To what extent can an understanding of feedback systems help with the management of one or more coastal landscapes that you have studied?

Outline processes by which glaciers erode the landscape.

Figure 7 is in the insert.

Figure 7 shows the surface velocity of various glaciers, including Thwaites Glacier, Antarctica.

Analyse the data shown in Figure 7.

Figure 8 is an aerial photograph of a periglacial landscape in northern Canada.

Note: There are thousands of small, medium and large scale lakes in this region. This image was taken in early summer and much of the ice has yet to thaw. Local relief and other aspects of geomorphology determine the rate at which ice melts.

Using Figure 8 and your own knowledge, assess the relative importance of factors leading to the development of this landscape.

To what extent can an understanding of feedback systems help with the management of one or more cold environments that you have studied?