question and answer book

TD1 ENVST CAT 3ASUPERVISOR TO ATTACH PROCESSING LABEL HEREFiguresWordsSTUDENT NUMBERLetterB O A R DOFSUIESVictorian Certificate of Education1999ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIESCommon Assessment Task 3: Written examinationWednesday 17 November 1999: 9.00 am to 10.45 amReading time: 9.00 am to 9.15 amWriting time: 9.15 am to 10.45 amTotal writing time: 1 hour 30 minutesQUESTION AND ANSWER BOOKStructure of bookNumber ofquestionsNumber of questionsto be answered2 2Directions to studentsMaterialsQuestion and answer book of 11 pages.Data book of 9 pages.The taskPlease ensure that you write your student number in the space provided on the front cover of this book.This book contains questions on atmospheric modification and biodiversity.The Data book contains data on conservation and development and the impact of human activity on thepreservation of biodiversity and the atmosphere.Answer both questions. Answers should be written in the spaces provided in the question and answer book.The marks allotted to each question are indicated at the end of the question. There is a total of 30 marksavailable.All written responses should be in English.© BOARD OF STUDIES 1999

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3 ENVST CAT 3ATo answer the following questions, use both your understanding of the impact of human activity on theatmosphere and the preservation of biodiversity as well as the information presented in the Data book.Question 1a. Figure 1 in the Data book shows areas where there is significant loss of seagrass communities aroundAustralia. Both human activities and natural causes can lead to a reduction in seagrasses.i. Name one possible natural cause which could lead to loss of seagrass communities.ii.Describe the current loss in seagrass communities in the Perth area and suggest the changes thatare likely to occur in the future to these seagrass communities.iii.Describe two human activities which may contribute to the loss of seagrass communities.1.2.1 + 2 + 2 = 5 marksQuestion 1 – continuedTURN OVER

ENVST CAT 3A 4b. i. The Western Rock Lobster Fishery described in the Data book is considered sustainable. In contrast,the Gemfish Fishery is considered to be overfished and unsustainable. What data support thesetwo statements?ii. Describe the effect on the lobster fishery of the 20% decline in egg production in 1993.iii.Suggest one environmental factor which could be responsible for the population changes in therock lobster from year to year.iv.Outline two management strategies that the Western Australian Fisheries Department might haveimplemented in managing the lobster populations to achieve continued sustainability of the fishery.1.2.2 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 6 marksQuestion 1 – continued

5 ENVST CAT 3Ac. i. Seagrass meadows can form an important habitat for the safe development of maturing lobsters, aswell as for many other species.Describe two ways an introduced species could produce a reduction in the species diversity ofseagrass habitats.1.2.ii.Outline two reasons for conserving Australia’s seagrass communities other than as safe breedinggrounds for marine species.1.2.2 + 2 = 4 marksTotal 15 marksTURN OVER

ENVST CAT 3A 6Question 2a. i. Name the human activity which releases most of the gases responsible for the production of acidrain.ii.Explain the processes by which gases emitted in one country can contribute to acid rain falling inanother country.You may choose to use a labelled diagram in the space provided below to illustrate your answer.Question 2 – continued

7 ENVST CAT 3Aiii.Describe how acid rain can have an impact onan aquatic ecosystem:a forest ecosystem:1 + 1 + 2 = 4 marksCONTINUED OVER PAGEQuestion 2 – continuedTURN OVER

ENVST CAT 3A 8b. i. Using the data in Table 2 in the Data book, explain why the 1994 Oslo Protocol was necessary.ii.Name another strategy that Norway could employ to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions.iii.Suggest why the European countries which signed the Oslo Protocol agreed to different levels ofreduction in sulfur emissions to the atmosphere.1 + 1 + 2 = 4 marksQuestion 2 – continued

9 ENVST CAT 3Ac. i. The New South Wales Government is already involved in promoting greenhouse (carbon) sinkactivities.Using the data in Table 3 and Figure 5 in the Data book, discuss the contribution that programssuch as these will make to the removal of carbon dioxide between 2000 and 2020.ii.Outline the disadvantage of trading carbon dioxide emission credits between countries with respectto the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions.1 + 1 = 2 marksQuestion 2 – continuedTURN OVER

ENVST CAT 3A 10d. Scientists studying the Great Barrier Reef have suggested that atmospheric modification is a possiblecause of the bleaching of corals as described in the Data book.Explain how changes in atmospheric processes, such as the enhanced greenhouse effect and the depletionof the ozone layer, could impact on coral reefs.Complete your answer on the opposite page. The space below may be used forrough working or planning, if required.

11 ENVST CAT 3A5 marksEND OF QUESTION AND ANSWER BOOKTotal 15 marks