DP Environmental Systems and Societies Questionbank

To what extent do the approaches and strategies of different environmental value systems improve access to fresh water?

Explain, with the use of a system diagram, how human activities affect flows in the global water cycle.

To what extent is pollution impacting human food production systems?

With reference to information in the resource booklet, evaluate the sustainability of Canada’s management of the Large Ocean Management Area of the St Lawrence River estuary and Gulf of St Lawrence.

With reference to Figure 9(a), explain why the realized niche of the mottled sculpin has changed in recent years.

Suggest why the St Lawrence River beluga whale population has not recovered despite being given protected status in 1983.

Tundra ecosystems are vulnerable to the effects of global warming. Discuss the response of two contrasting environmental value systems to the effects of global warming on the tundra.

Evaluate the use of models for predicting climate change.

Distinguish between negative and positive feedback using examples from environmental systems.

The long term effects of global warming may influence the carrying capacity for human populations.

Discuss whether global warming is likely to increase or decrease carrying capacity for human populations around the world. Support your conclusion with valid reasons or evidence.

Evaluate contrasting human perceptions of the issue of global warming.

Discuss how global warming may affect the distribution and diversity of ecosystems.

Describe the trend seen in the sea ice cover data in Figure 4(b).

Calculate the percentage change in sea ice cover from March 1979 to March 2012 and from September 1979 to September 2012 in Figure 4(c).

Identify one factor that may be causing long-term changes in sea ice cover.

Natural systems achieve equilibrium through feedback systems. Explain how feedback mechanisms would be associated with an increase in mean global temperature.

CO₂ is considered a greenhouse gas. Identify two other greenhouse gases.

Calculate the percentage increase of global CO₂ emissions from 1992 to 2012.

The impacts of acid rain on terrestrial ecosystems may include acidified soils, leaching of nutrients, release of toxins and damage to vegetation. The impacts of global warming on these systems may include desertification, flooding, loss of species and shifting of biomes.

For terrestrial ecosystems, discuss the difficulty of managing the impacts of acid rain compared to that of managing the impacts of global warming.

Explain the impact of global warming and ozone depletion on coastal ecosystems.

Distinguish between the causes of recent global warming and those of ozone depletion.

Explain two factors which lead to a loss of marine (ocean) biodiversity.

Climate can both influence, and be influenced by, terrestrial food production systems.

To what extent can terrestrial food production strategies contribute to a sustainable equilibrium in this relationship?

Outline two possible effects of climate change on marine coastal ecosystems within the Coral Triangle.

In 2016, the Earth’s atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide reached 400 ppm. Suggest the potential impacts of high levels of greenhouse gases on human societies in different locations.

Outline how climate change may affect the availability of freshwater resources.

Discuss the role of humans in the destabilization of ecological systems.

Explain the potential impact of ocean acidification on environmental systems and societies.

Identify two reasons why the future size of the Atlantic puffin population is difficult to predict.

Evaluate the possible impacts of climate change on Iceland.

With reference to Figures 6(c), 7(a) and 7(b) explain the problems associated with land restoration in Iceland.

With reference to named examples, distinguish between a primary and secondary pollutant.

Disturbance of the composition and processes of the atmospheric system through human activity always disturbs the equilibria of marine systems.

Discuss the validity of this statement with reference to named examples.

State a greenhouse gas other than CO₂.

Outline the evidence that CO₂ acts as a greenhouse gas.

Outline how CO₂ emissions may cause a change in the global climate.