Geography A Level: Various 4 Markers EXAM PRACTICE

Outline the process of decomposition in the carbon cycle. (4 Marks)

Decomposition transfers carbon from dead biomass in the biosphere to the atmosphere in the form of methane and carbon dioxide gas releases and into the soil as nutrients. After the initial decomposition of the living organism into the soil, fungi break down the organisms which is where the gases are released. Some carbon is also tranferred into the soil in the form of humus.

Explain the role of cryospheric change in the water cycle. (4 Marks)

In the cyrosphere, accumulation and ablation change the ammount of water stored as ice in the cryosphere therefore changing the water cycle, these processes and the balance between them are affected by temperature. During periods of global cold temperatures, imputs into the cryosphere in the form of ice are greater than outputs, water is imputed into the system as snow and less water is tranfered away due to melting therefore reducing the level of water in the water cyle and storing it in the cyrosphere.

Explain how a positive feedback can alter a natural system. (4 Marks)

positive feedbacks are cycles which enhance the affect which gave rise to them, an example is global warming as temperatures rise, more carbon dioxide is relased, enhancing the greenhouse affect and leading to further global warming. They can significantly alter a natural system, The primary impact of positive feedback loops is that they can enhance the system from its previous state.

Oultine the impact of long term global temperature changes on the water cycle. (4 Marks)

Global temperature changes alter the volume of water stored in the various stores of water within the water cycle. Temperature increases will lead to a reduction of the level of water stored in the cryosphere and an increase in the amount stored in the hydrosphere and atmosphere whilst also reducing the level of water stored in the lithosphere as evaporation rates increase therefore reducing the amount of water which infiltrates the topsoil. This process workes in vice versa also as periods of global cooling increase the cryospheric water stores and decrease the amount of water within the hyrospheric store.

Outline seasonal changes in the water balance. (4 Marks)

The water balance is worked out from imputs (Precipitstion and outputs (Channel discharge and evapotranspiration) and it impacts the amount of water which is stored in the basin. The UK follows seasonal patterns. In wet seasons, precipitation exceeds evapotranspiration leading to a water surplus, ground stored fill with water leading to suface runoff and higher river discharge. In drier seasons, evapotranspiration is greater than precipitation, ground stores are depleted and there is a deficit of water supply in the ground.

Outline the role of living organisms in the carbon cycle. (4 Marks)

Living organisms contribute massively to the functionality of the carbon cycle, photosynthesis is a key flow within the carbon cycle and within it, plants tranfer carbon stored in the atmosphere into biomass. Decomposition affects all living things within the biosphere also tranferring carbon from dead biomass into the atmosphere and the soil which is then broken down by fungi outlining how living organisms can accelerate elements of the biomass. Living organisms also contribute to the carbon cycle as phytoplankton fall through the oceanic shelves onto the seabed after death eventuallt forming part of the lithosphere through techtonic action.

Outline how changes to the carbon cycle can affect the oceans. (4 Marks)

WIthin the carbon cycle, carbon dioxide is dissolved directly into the oceans from the atmosphere, carbon dioxide within the oceans is used by organisms such as phytoplankton and seaweed during photosynthesis and by other marine organisms to form calcium carbonate shells and skeletons. Increases in the Co2 levels of the atmosphere affect the oceans by increasing its acidity which csan impact marine life also. Global warming also affects oceans, organisms which cannot survive temperature increases will die in higher temperatures meaning less co2 is used by them and less carbon is removed from the atmosphere.

Outline the concept of the Hazard Management Cycle. (4 Marks)

The Hazard Management Cycle is a four stage process which outlines the process of a hazard and the responces to it. Mitigation is the first stage in the process, its aims are to minimise the impacts of future hazards which could be achieved by fortifying buildings. Preparedness is the next stage and refers to the planning enacted to respond to a hazard. Response is the way people react to a disaster when it occurs they could be fatalistic or decide to evacuate. Recovery is a crucial step in the cycle as it is about getting the location back to normal through repairing or rebuilding. This process is a cycle because hazards keep occuring.

Assess the relative usefulness of the Park Model and the Hazard Management Cycle in understanding the impact of seismic events. PLAN

The Park model is very effective at understanding the process and impact of a volcanic eruption. In any eruption there is a pre disaster - berfore the disaster occurs it is the control of the land. The disruption is the impact of the hazard directly after it hits, there is distruption to property, to businesses and to life in general. Relief, in the aftermath of the event there are rescue mission occuring with the aim to prevent further damage. Rehabilitation focuses on the beginning to solve the longer term problems such as finding tempory shelter for people.

The reconstruction process involves the building of permanent housing and businesses taking the society back to the pre hazard levels or even above.

Outline how changes in patterns of production have promoted globalisation. (4 Marks).

Historically, manurfacturing industries were located in more developed countries and were mainly sold in the country they were produced in. In recent time, manurfacturing has decreased in more developed countries due primarily to increased labour costs, lower overseas labour costs have led to production relocating to less developed countries, they then import the products to where theyre sold, this can be exemplified with Dyson, which moved their production so malaysia in 2002. As a result of these changes, international trade in manufactured goods is increasing and changing flows are leading to the world becoming more interconnected.

Explain how changes in technology have contributed to globalisation. (4 Marks)

Changes in technology have been a driving force in globalisation, technology used for information, communication and transport has advanced rapidly, the internet for example allows for the instant transfer of information around the globe and aeroplanes allow people to be transported quickly around the world aswell. Trade now is based on technology products can be shipped with ease around the world along with other flows such as finances, information and people making the world seem smaller and more interconnected.

Explain how unequal flows of people can lead to inequalities. (4 Marks)

Unequal flows of people have led to unequal power relations between countries with some having much more power than others. Developed countries with a lot of money and technologyare able to drive global systems to their own advantage, these countries have a lot of control over the global economy and political events. The inequitable movement of people means less developed countries suffeer from the brain drain which occurs when skilled people leace and take their knowledge with them which reinforces existing inequalities.

Explain how global institutions help to promote growth and stability. (4 Marks)

International organisations are best exemplified in the UN, the UN was set up in 1945 to establish a peaceful and fair world, they do a great deal to promote growth and stability therefore. In terms of growth, the UN development goals have helped to reduce the number of people living in poverty, increased the number of children in primary education and reduced child mortality. In terms of stability, the UN peacekeeping missions can help to end wars and ensure peaceful elections as observed in Cote D'lvoire after their civil war in 2015.

Explain how globalisation poses a threat to one of the global commons. (4 Marks)

Due to globalisation, countries and organisations may feel they can exploit the global commons without dealing with the consequences as the costs of exploitation are shared by everybody, 'the tragedy of the commons'. This leads to negative effects on the global commons as a result of exploitation, the high seas are victim to overfishing which has repercussions for other animals on the food chain and the methods damage coral reefs also. Atmospheric pollutoon is common in China and America specifically as companies produce using unsustainable methods of production, this leads to atmospheric climate change also.

Explain how changes to flows of products have contributed to the process of globalisation. (4 Marks).

Explain what geographers mean by the concept of 'place'. (4 Marks)

Place can be defined on two ways, the most primative is as a location on earth identifiable by a grid reference. Geographers take this definition further adding the concept of a sense of place which is the meanings of a place to different individuals and add also the physicasl and human charecteristics of place which come together to make up the sense of place. Flows in. and out of a place are also significnt in building up the concept of place, major flows include flows of people, ideas, money and resources.

Outline how plysical geography can influence the character of places. (4 Marks)

Physical geography refers to the enviromental features of a place including but not limited to altitude, topogrtaphy, climate, aspect and soil and rock type. Places can be determined directly by physical charecteristics, for example rock type can influence the landscape of a place therefore imapcting its charecter.Physical charecteristics also impact other factors which give places their charecter such as economic charecteristics, an area rich in natural resources such as coal and iron may be charecrterised by the industries which operate there such as mining or smelting.

Explain the meaning of 'experienced' and 'media places'. (4 Marks)

The concept of an experienced place is simply a location in which people have lived or have experienced physically, either living there or just by visiting there. The experiences people have in that place such as who they meet or the things they see infulence their sense of place. Media places differ substantially to experienced places, they are places which are displayed through media platforms, such as books, magazines, television or movies and are plkaced that people have not been to. This can lead to an augmented representation of place as it is being represented in a much more subjective manner designed to display what the author or producer wants to display altering the sense of place of people.

Explain how exogenous factors can contribute to the charecter of a place. (4 Marks)

exogenus factors are external factors which shape a place's charecter. Exogenus factors such as the relationship a place has with other places are significant, eg. London being a Mega city means that it has a connection with other mega cities around the world. Tourism is significant in shaping the charecter of many places for example, the tourist industry in Los Angeles impacts the land use profile of the area. Migration is significant in shaping the charecter oif a place, it impacts the demographics of the area and therefore impacts culture.

Outline the spatial organisation of one transnational corporation (TNC) you have studied. (4 Marks)

TNC's are countries which operate in more than two or more countries and they operate in all sectors of the economy. TNC's have spatial organisation which implies that they create a global supply chain because different elements of their manufacturing and retail business elements are spread around the world. The headquarters of a TNC are usually locsted in major cities in more developed countries such as New York, this is becvause they are well located and connected aswell as there being a large number of well trained workers. RandD sites are usually located in areas with highly educated workers. Factories however, are located in poorer LIC counties in order for the business to cut costs.

Outline how topography can contribute to the character of a place. (4 Marks)

Topography is an important factor in shaping the charecter of a place. Topography refers to the contours and shape of the land, it therefore can impact the type of industry which can develop in a place, flatter landscapes will be more suited to agriculture whilst more mountianous topography will be more suited to pastoral livestock grazing. Places are also directly charecterised by their topography, a vally for example will directly impact opossibly the demographic of a place and cirtainly the charecter.

Outline characteristics of an agricultural system. (4 Marks)

Agricultural systems are open systems, this means that there are inputs and outputs of matter and energy. Some inputs into the system are natural such as solar energy or rainwater and some are introduced by humans such as fertilisers and pesticides. Energy and matter are transferred to and stored in the soil, crops and/or animals on the farm. The main output is the food produced although there are other outputs, such as runoff.

Explain how differential access to markets can impact on economic well-being. (4 Marks)

Access to markets refers to the level of ease that there is for countries and companies to trade with one another, international access to markets is determined by the the extent of import and export barriers between countries. Access if affected by wealth, Developed countries put higher tariffson goods imported on less developed countries, which makes it harder for LIC's to access the market. developed countries have more to invest so they can avoid the high tarrifs imposed by LIC's by opening facotries within them. Access is also increased by being a member of a trading bloc, this means member countries have access to each others markets. However, less developed countries outside of the trade blco still have high tarrifs and therefore high barriers to entry into the market.

Outline how geospatial data can be used to present place characteristics. (4 Marks)

Outline the relationship between the physical environment and health in a local area you have studied. (4 Marks)

In Nigeria, Malaria is rife and so far has claimed 800,000 lives in the country alomne carrying over 1/4 of the worlds malaris burden. The pysical enviroment is partly to blame for this. Nigeria is close to the equator meaning it is at the right temperature level to support the spread of communicable diseases such as malaria. The physical enviroment is also sub saharen meaning temperatures are frequently over 40Oc and water is scarce this leads to malnutrition and dehydration as crops freqently fail and water is difficult to source and is of a poor quality leading to malaria, the hostile enviroment therefore causes numerous diseases to spread.

Explain how trade agreements are a factor in globalisation. (4 Marks)

Trade agreements take numerous forms, they could be bilatteral (between 2 countries) or multilateral (between numerous countries). The definition of Globalisation refers heavily to the growing interdependance of countries in multiuple ways, one of which is trade. Therefore, trade agreements do contribute to globalisation, leveling up the whole world and leading to the shrinking world effect, this is because it is due to trade that inventions such as aeroplanes, ships and conteainerisation exist in order to make the world more connected for trading purposes and the human uses are simply a biproduct indicating that trade is crucial for glbalisation.

Explain the concept of the 'global commons' (4 Marks)

The concept of a global common refers to areas which aren't owned by any one country or organisation, they belong to everyone and should be available to everyone on planet earth. There are four specific global commons, Antartica, the High seas, The atmosphere and Space. The global commons are governed by international law and organisations such as the UN or specifically UNCLOS for the high seas. Enviromental NGOs such as WWF want to protect the global commons from exploitation as they offer unique habitats to endangered species of animal and plant, especially in Antartic, they are also valuable for scientific reaserch.

Explain why an outsider perspective might give a different sense of place to an insider perspective. (4 Marks)

An outsider, is someone who does not feel as though they belong in a place and feel as though they dont fit in with the culture and ethos of the place, eventhough they may live there. An insider is someone who lives in a place and feels as though they belong to that place, belong there and also ahve a deep emotional connection weith the place. It is natural that the sense of place will differ for these perspectives, an insider will understand a place and is likely to put a positive perspective foward for the place whilst and outsider will have a limited understanding of a place and will probably have a negative perspective of that place. The outsider will have a limited knowledge of the place and therefore will be a surface levelc whilst an insider will have an in depth perspective.