IB Biology: End of Topic Test Stability and Change and Climate Change

Name _______________________ Time: 40 mins Mark: / 40 (HL /SL)

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1. The graphs show how the global mean surface temperature changed from 1978 to
2018, as well as the amount of energy reaching the surface of the Earth from the
Sun.

(a) It has been argued that variation in the global mean surface temperature has been
caused by variation in energy from the Sun. Analyse whether evidence from the
graphs supports this argument. [2]

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(b) Explain how increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide contribute to global
warming. [3]

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(c) State one other gas that contributes to global warming. [1]

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2. Primary production is directly related to the amount of photosynthesis that occurs in a

cubic metre of water. In the waters around Bermuda (32°N) in the Atlantic Ocean,
microscopic phytoplankton are the producers. They use trace nutrients from
seawater in their metabolism. These nutrients are a limiting factor in total population
size. A dense phytoplankton population makes the water cloudy. The data shows
primary production per day for each month for the year 2000 at different water
depths.

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(a) State the month when total photosynthesis was greatest. [1]

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(b) Identify, with a reason, the water depth that receives no light. [1]

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(c) In the upper 40m there is a drop-in photosynthesis from March to June. This is
probably due to lack of nutrients, reducing the population density. Suggest, with a
reason other than nutrient levels, what might have increased photosynthesis at 100m
from April to August. [1]

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(d) Compare production in March with production in September. [3]

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3. A long-term study examined the effect of ocean climate on the foraging (hunting) success
of northern elephant seals (Miroungaangustirostris). Throughout their pregnancy, female
northern elephant seals capture fish for food, which is converted to food reserves for milk
production. Seal pups feed solely on their mother’s milk so a pup’s mass correlates
positively with the mother’s success at foraging. The Pacific Ocean fluctuates between

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extended warmer and colder periods. These bring with them changes identified broadly as
either an “anchovy regime” (ocean temperatures cooler than normal, increased nutrient
supply, high catches of anchovies) or a “sardine regime” (ocean temperatures warmer than
normal, overall low productivity, low anchovy but high sardine catch). The graph below
shows the relationship between weaning mass of northern elephant seal pups and anchovy
and sardine regimes.

(a) Calculate the greatest difference in weaning masses during the sardine regime. [1]

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(b) Describe the relationship between mean weaning mass and the sardine and anchovy
regimes from1975 to 2004. [1]

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( c) Discuss what type of ocean water temperatures result in more successful foraging by
female northern elephant seals. [3]

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(d) Suggest a possible effect of climate change on the breeding success of northern
elephant seals. [2]

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4. Extensive areas of the rainforest in Cambodia are being cleared for large scale rubber
plantations. Distinguish between the sustainability of natural ecosystems such as rainforests
and the sustainability of areas used for agriculture. [3]

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Global warming has changed both the thickness and surface area of sea ice of the Arctic
Ocean as well as the Southern Ocean that surrounds Antarctica. Sea ice is highly sensitive
to changes in temperature.
Scientists have calculated a long-term mean for the surface area of sea ice in the Arctic and
in the Southern Ocean around Antarctica. This mean value is used as a reference to
examine changes in ice extent. The graph shows the variations from this mean (zero line)
over a period of time.

Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) are only found in Antarctica and need sea ice for
feeding and nesting. Biologists are able to deduce how these penguins have responded to
changes in their environment for the last 35 000 years, as the Antarctic conditions have
preserved their bones and their nests. The image is a map of Antarctica and the surrounding
Southern Ocean.

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It shows the trends in the length of the sea ice season (days of the year when sea ice is
increasing) and the sites of nine Adélie penguin colonies.

( a ) State the trend in the surface area of sea ice in the Southern Ocean around
Antarctica.[1]

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(b) Describe the trends in the length of the sea ice season around the Antarctic
Peninsula and in the Ross Sea.[2]

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(c) Analyse the trends in colony size of the Adélie penguins in relation to the changes in
the sea ice. [3]

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(d) Discuss the use of Adélie penguins in studying the effects of global warming.[3]

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(e) Adélie penguins are keystone species in the Antarctic ecosystem. How does a
keystone specie differ from other species in an ecosystem? [1]

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(f) Discuss the concept of a cascading effect and how the removal of a keystone
species can lead to such an effect in an ecosystem. [2]

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(g) Why is the conservation of keystone species crucial for maintaining ecosystem
health?[1]

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6. ( a ) The oceans absorb much of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The combustion
of fossil fuels has increased carbon dioxide ocean concentrations. What adverse
effect does this have on Marine Life? ( Circle the letter that best corresponds with the
answer) [1]

A. Heterotrophs consume more phytoplankton

B. Phtoplankton have increased rateds of photosynthesis
C. Corals deposit less calcium carbonate to form skeletons
D. Increased pH reduces enzyme activity in marine organisms.

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(b) Describe the relationship between the rise in the concentration of atmospheric
carbon dioxide and the enhanced greenhouse effect. [4]

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