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Figure 11 shows selected climate extremes and impacts affecting coral and forests in tropical and sub-tropical regions - AQA - A-Level Geography - Question 6 - 2021 - Paper 1
Question 6
Figure 11 shows selected climate extremes and impacts affecting coral and forests in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Analyze the data shown in Figure 11.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Figure 11 shows selected climate extremes and impacts affecting coral and forests in tropical and sub-tropical regions - AQA - A-Level Geography - Question 6 - 2021 - Paper 1
Step 1
Identify patterns related to climate extremes
Answer
The map in Figure 11 highlights various climate extremes affecting both coral and tropical forests, with key indicators such as tropical storms, extreme heat, droughts, flooding, and coral bleaching. A prominent pattern reveals that higher frequency of these extremes correlates with regions located near the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn, particularly in areas like Central America, East Africa, and parts of Southeast Asia.
Step 2
Analyze the impact on coral regions
Answer
The data suggests that coral regions are significantly impacted by climate extremes, notably evidenced by the widespread indications of coral bleaching. These occurrences are densely clustered in areas such as the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean. This reflects broader environmental stressors that these marine ecosystems face due to climate change.
Step 3
Evaluate the effects on tropical and sub-tropical forests
Answer
Tropical and sub-tropical forests experience a variety of climate stresses, including increased occurrences of droughts and flooding. The map indicates that the regions facing the most substantial extremes tend to overlap, suggesting that these forests may be particularly vulnerable to the combined effects of droughts followed by floods, affecting their resilience and biodiversity.
Step 4
Discuss anomalies and regional differences
Answer
While central areas experience a high concentration of these climate extremes, northern and southern extremes of these regions appear less affected. This anomaly indicates a possible protective climate effect or geographical variance in environmental resilience. For instance, northern parts of South America show fewer extremes compared to the coastal regions.