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Assess the extent to which changes in the carbon cycle can lead to water stress. - AQA - A-Level Geography - Question 5 - 2022 - Paper 2
Question 5
Assess the extent to which changes in the carbon cycle can lead to water stress.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Assess the extent to which changes in the carbon cycle can lead to water stress. - AQA - A-Level Geography - Question 5 - 2022 - Paper 2
Step 1
Knowledge and understanding of the concept of water stress
Answer
Water stress refers to the condition where the demand for water exceeds the available supply or when poor quality restricts its use. It is influenced by multiple factors, including climate change, population growth, and environmental degradation. The carbon cycle plays a significant role in these environmental processes.
Step 2
Impact of the carbon cycle on water availability
Answer
Changes in the carbon cycle, such as increased atmospheric carbon, can lead to higher global temperatures. This may result in altered precipitation patterns—both increases and decreases in rainfall—which contribute to regional water stress. For instance, areas with historically stable rainfall may experience droughts, reducing available freshwater resources.
Step 3
Feedback mechanisms in the carbon and water cycles
Answer
The interconnection between the carbon cycle and water cycle can create feedback loops. For example, deforestation reduces carbon dioxide absorption while also decreasing transpiration, which can lower local humidity and consequently reduce rainfall. This interplay exacerbates water scarcity.
Step 4
Examples of water-stressed regions and the carbon cycle
Answer
Regions such as the Amazon are experiencing direct impacts of carbon cycle changes, including increased temperatures leading to forest dieback, which reduces precipitation levels further. Additionally, urban areas suffering from water stress may find their situations worsened by climate-related shifts in carbon levels, affecting both supply and demand dynamics.
Step 5
Other factors contributing to water stress
Answer
It's important to note that while changes in the carbon cycle impact water stress, other factors also play significant roles, such as population growth, industrial demands, and inefficient water management practices. Therefore, while the carbon cycle is a crucial element, it is only part of a broader system that determines water availability.
Step 6
Conclusion regarding the carbon cycle and water stress
Answer
In summary, changes in the carbon cycle can significantly contribute to water stress through mechanisms such as altered rainfall patterns and feedback interactions. However, it is essential to consider the larger context, where multiple factors interact to influence water resources. Thus, while the link exists, the extent of impact varies across regions and is contingent upon other environmental and human factors.