Climate Change and Methane Emissions Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What has significantly changed in temperature patterns over the past 100 years?

There has been a sharp rise in temperature. (correct)

Temperature has remained stable.

Temperature changes have become cyclic.

Temperature has decreased significantly.

Which of the following is primarily responsible for the majority of human-induced methane emissions?

Transportation emissions.

Natural gas extraction.

Agricultural practices. (correct)

Industrial waste.

What is the primary effect of changing land from a carbon sink to a carbon source?

Reduction of atmospheric CO2 levels.

Improvement of air quality.

Negative impact on emission balance. (correct)

Enhanced agricultural productivity.

Enteric fermentation in cattle mainly produces which gas?

Methane. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of interception by trees or grass on surface runoff?

Reduces surface runoff Signup and view all the answers

Which agricultural practice is associated with the significant production of methane due to constant flooding?

Rice paddies. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of soil is characterized by high infiltration and slow transfer of water?

Peaty moorland soil Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of global emissions of methane is attributed to rice paddies?

12% Signup and view all the answers

What effect does impermeable rock have on water flow in the River Exe area?

Causes rapid overland flow Signup and view all the answers

What impact does increased agriculture have on local ecosystems?

Destruction of natural ecosystems. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a source of nitrous oxide emissions?

Solar energy systems. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary goal of the Exmoor Mires Project?

Restore peatlands and water storage Signup and view all the answers

How much area was restored by the Exmoor Mires Project by 2015?

1000 hectares Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of throughflow in relation to its speed compared to overland flow?

Slower than overland flow Signup and view all the answers

What was one negative consequence of drainage ditches dug prior to 1998?

Transported a lot of silt Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the area is covered by woodland or grassland, contributing to interception?

82% Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the direct consequences of deforestation in the Amazon on the water cycle?

Reduced evapotranspiration Signup and view all the answers

What can be a consequence of decreased precipitation due to deforestation?

Increased risk of drought Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes a natural environment that absorbs more carbon dioxide than it releases?

Carbon sink Signup and view all the answers

The movement of carbon between stores is referred to as what?

Carbon cycle Signup and view all the answers

What is likely to happen to soil conditions immediately after deforestation?

Soil erosion increases Signup and view all the answers

What process do living organisms use to convert carbon dioxide from the atmosphere?

Photosynthesis Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential outcome of increased soil erosion following deforestation?

Increased overland flow Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not considered a carbon store?

Human activities Signup and view all the answers

What effect does cold water have on the solubility of CO2?

Cold water dissolves more CO2 than warm water. Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of acidification in oceans and coral reefs?

Bleaching and death of coral. Signup and view all the answers

How does a warming globe affect forests in high latitudes?

It increases forest coverage. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to permafrost as temperatures rise?

It melts, releasing methane and CO2. Signup and view all the answers

What is one implication of reduced decomposition in colder temperatures?

Less carbon transfer. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does melting ice and snow have on the carbon cycle?

It contributes to higher CO2 levels in oceans. Signup and view all the answers

How is higher forest coverage in high latitudes related to the carbon cycle?

It contributes to a negative feedback mechanism. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary function of decomposers in warmer, moist environments?

To facilitate effective carbon transfer. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of carbon capture and storage (CCS)?

To capture waste CO2 and store it safely Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a disadvantage of carbon capture and storage?

It is very expensive and energy-intensive Signup and view all the answers

How much of its CO2 output does the Boundary Dam aim to capture?

90% Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of a coal plant's power output does the Boundary Dam consume?

21% Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential risk associated with carbon capture and storage?

Contaminates groundwater due to CO2 leakage Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about coral reefs is true?

A significant portion of coral reefs has died due to heat stress Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of planting trees of similar age and type together?

They absorb CO2 effectively Signup and view all the answers

How much can CCS potentially reduce the cost of combating the climate crisis?

By 70% Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary consequence of ocean acidification on coastal communities?

Reduced capacity to buffer the impact of sea level rise Signup and view all the answers

How does carbon contribute to the formation of shell growth in marine organisms?

Carbon from dissolved limestone and chalk aids in shell formation Signup and view all the answers

What effect does rising temperature have on the Arctic ice coverage?

Causes melting of ice, reducing coverage Signup and view all the answers

In the water cycle's positive feedback example, what occurs as temperatures increase?

Evaporation increases, resulting in more water vapor Signup and view all the answers

What is one effect of increased cloud formation in the negative feedback example of the water cycle?

More solar radiation reflected back into space Signup and view all the answers

How does carbon enter the ocean as a result of chemical weathering?

It comes from the dissolution of limestone and chalk Signup and view all the answers

What do scientists observe as Arctic ice shrinks and less heat is reflected?

An increase in global average temperatures Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the role of increased evaporation in the water cycle?

It raises the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Water and Carbon Cycle

Positive feedback: Effects of an action are amplified by a knock-on or secondary effect
Negative feedback: Effects of an action are nullified by knock-on effects, returning the system to balance
5 major subsystems: Hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, and cryosphere
Open system: Matter and energy can be transferred from the system into the surrounding environment (e.g., drainage basin)
Closed system: Transfers of energy into and out of the system but not matter
Dynamic equilibrium: Tendency towards a natural state of balance within a constantly changing system
Hydrosphere: Water on or close to the Earth's surface. 97% is oceanic water. Inputs include runoff and precipitation. Outputs include evaporation
Cryosphere: Portions of Earth's surface where water is in solid form (ice sheets, ice caps, glaciers, permafrost)
Lithosphere: Solid outer layer of the Earth's crust and upper mantle. Stores water for a very long time
Atmosphere: Accounts for 0.01% of the Earth's water. Most common atmospheric water is water vapor
Biosphere: Part of Earth where life exists (land, water, and air)
Cryospheric change: In periods of cooling, the cryosphere increases in size due to slowed water cycles, and vice-versa in periods of warming.
P factors (steepness & vegetation): Steep sides lead to quicker water flow and therefore faster overland flow; vegetation intercepts, takes up water and reduces run off, leading to less surface runoff and less chance of flooding
H factors (deforestation & urbanization): Deforestation reduces interception, results in rapid overland flow and flashy hydrographs, higher soil erosion rates, and reduced bankfull which increases chance of flooding. Urbanization results in impermeable surfaces, no infiltration, and overland flow, likely sheet flow with flashy hydrographs.
Infiltration: Downward movement of water from the surface into the soil
Infiltration rate: Speed at which soil absorbs water
Infiltration capacity: Maximum rate at which soil can absorb water
Evaporation: Liquid water changes to water vapor due to solar radiation
Drainage basin: Area that supplies a river with water
Percolation: Downward movement of water through soil and rock due to gravity
Throughflow: Water flowing through topsoil parallel to the surface
Throughfall: Rainfall directly falling to the ground, without interception
Interception: Water being prevented from reaching the surface by trees or grass
Water Balance/Budget: Balance between inputs and outputs to the soil. Can be positive(precipitation>evapotranspiration)or negative (precipitation<evapotranspiration)
Positive water balance: more precipitation than evapotranspiration leading to recharge
Negative water balance: more evapotranspiration than precipitation leading to soil utilization and deficit
Infiltration excess overland flow: Water enters the soil faster than it can absorb/move therefore precipitation exceeds infiltration capacity
Saturation excess overland flow: Soil is saturated, so precipitation cannot infiltrate the soil leading to overland flow
Baseflow: Part of river discharge provided by groundwater seeping into the river bed
Effect of Exmoor Mires project: Infiltration capacity increased and risk of flooding reduced.
Wimbledon Reservoir: Regulated water discharge leading to less floods and droughts
Inter Tropical Convergence Zone: Area where warm, moist air rises close to the equator, leading to high pressure
Global Atmospheric Circulation: Large-scale movement of air on Earth transferring heat
Coriolis Effect: Bending of currents of air due to Earth's rotation.
Natural influences (Extreme weather events & Temperature): Extreme weather events and temperature variations affect precipitation and runoff patterns which affect the river regime
Relief Rainfall: Forced uplift of warm moist air from the ocean over mountains, causing precipitation.
Convectional Rainfall: Warm air rising and cooling, causing condensation and precipitation
Frontal Rainfall: Warm air rising above colder air (front), leading to condensation and precipitation
Amazon Rainforest Deforestation: Leading to a significant reduction in evapotranspiration, less water vapor, and risk of drought.
Impacts of Deforestation in the Amazon: Reduced water absorption and higher risk of drought.
Carbon sink: Natural environment that absorbs more carbon dioxide than it releases
Carbon source: Natural system that releases more carbon dioxide than it absorbs.
Carbon store: Area where carbon is accumulated and stored
Carbon Transfers: Movement of carbon between different stores
Photosynthesis: Conversion of carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and glucose using sunlight energy.
Respiration: Conversion of energy in food into energy and release of CO2.
Decomposition: Breakdown of organic matter by decomposers (bacteria and detritivores).
Combustion: Burning of fossil fuels or organic matter, releasing CO2.
Dissolution: Process of carbon dissolving in water.
Sequestration: Capture and storage of carbon from the atmosphere in rocks, soils etc
Weathering: Breakdown of rocks by chemical or mechanical processes.
Burial and compaction: Long-term process of laying down sediment which causes organic material to form hydrocarbons
Fluxes: rate of flow of carbon between Earth's stores. Crucial for equilibrium.

Other

Global impacts of carbon cycle: Effects on weather patterns, water systems, coral reefs, soil fertility, terrestrial ecosystem health
Ocean acidification: Increased CO2 in the atmosphere leads to increased CO2 in the ocean. This impacts marine organisms who form calcium carbonate shells and exoskeletons leading to death or increased mortality
Water cycle positive feedback examples: As temperatures rise, evaporation increases, increasing water vapor in the atmosphere which causes more clouds and therefore more solar radiation is reflected back to space and temperatures fall
Water cycle negative feedback examples: Higher temps lead to more photosynthesis which absorbs more carbon from the atmosphere which reduces warming temperatures
Impact of drainage on carbon cycle: Draining peatlands turns them into carbon sources, releasing carbon into the atmosphere.
Impact of farming on carbon cycle: Farming activities like agriculture, cattle production and rice paddies are leading to global carbon emission
Impact of increased agriculture: Constant exploitation of soils and leads to unsustainable soil practices. Results in soil erosion and compaction.
Impact of wildfires on carbon cycle: Burning releases carbon dioxide and reduces photosynthesis and respiration.
How much of anthropogenic carbon release comes from the combustion of fossil fuels? Approximately 90%, according to the IPCC.
Impact of colder temps on carbon cycle: Reduced decomposition and rates of carbon transfer, thereby affecting carbon concentrations
Climate Climax: Final stage of sere where the environment reaches equilibrium and is fully developed and stable.
Halosere: Succession in a saline environment.
Psammosere: Succession on sand dunes
Hydrosere: Succession in a water environment.
Pioneer species: First species to populate an area during succession.
Dominant species: Species in a community which has the highest abundance.
Plagioclimax community: Area or habitat where humans prevent eco systems from further development.
Polyclimax: Area with several types of vegetation present.
Deforestation positive: Deforestation reduces global warming because of the albedo effect. Reflecting heat rather than trapping it.
Arctic circle: High temps lead to melting permafrost resulting in co2 emissions
How does desertification occur due to farming?: Overuse of cultivation irrigation or grazing on marginal land leads to desertification
Wetlands crucial for carbon storage.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the significant changes in temperature patterns and their impact on the environment over the past century. This quiz covers human-induced methane emissions, agricultural practices, and their ecological consequences. Challenge yourself to understand the complexities of climate change and mitigation projects like the Exmoor Mires Project.