Distinguish between bryophyta and coniferophyta.

Outline the consequences of a global temperature rise on arctic ecosystems.

Responses do not need to be shown in a table format.

increasing rates of decomposition of detritus previously trapped in permafrost;
expansion of the range of habitats available to temperate species;
loss of ice habitat;
changes in water salinity;
changes in distribution of prey species affecting higher trophic levels;
increased success of pest species;
loss of ice increases absorption of solar radiation increasing warming of atmosphere;
extinction of species adapted to arctic/cold conditions;
humans can/should take steps to reduce/slow losses in habitat / given example of measure taken;
statement applying the precautionary principle to this issue;

Many answered this question very poorly. They did not identify bryophytes as mosses, liverworts or hornworts instead they identified them as angiosperms. They could write about conifers but not distinguish between the two.

The knowledge of consequences of a global temperature rise on arctic ecosystems tended to be very general and simplistic (certainly not specific enough). Many candidates wrote in great length about how the polar bear population is decreasing but forgot to mention any other consequence of global warming on the arctic ecosystem. As well, many candidates incorrectly wrote about increasing sea levels as this applies to all coastal ecosystems not just the arctic. Many candidates believed that penguins were arctic.