Chapter 8: Climate and vegetation E X TR A PAST PAPE R AN SWE RS

Answers to Cambridge IGCSE Geography

Chapter 8
Cambridge IGCSE Geography 0460/01 Q4  the exposed soil is left open to the heavy
November 2006 rain, which (as well as erosion) leads to the
a i 3 ºC. leaching of its nutrients
ii The total annual rainfall is about 1800  deforestation can change the global climate 2
millimetres. This figure is obtained by adding it impacts on the oxygen/carbon dioxide
the monthly totals. balance by reducing the amount of carbon
dioxide the forest stores (it also adds to global
iii Any three of the following points would be
warming if forests are cleared by burning)
relevant, because they can all be seen in the
 more locally, the rainfall in the forest
diagram:
decreases, because less moisture is being
 There are distinct layers of trees at transpired into the atmosphere
different heights.  the native peoples who live in the forest are
 The tallest trees are the emergents. facing the end of their traditional ways of life.
Beneath them is the main canopy. c Tropical rainforest climates are in equatorial latitudes,
 An under-canopy of sapling trees can be whereas tropical deserts are mainly located between
seen (beneath which is the shrub layer). 15º and 30º N or S. The midday sun is almost
 A tree fern can be seen in the ground layer. overhead all year round in the tropical rainforest
 Some of the trees have buttress roots, and climate, but in tropical deserts it’s only overhead in
lianas twist round them. the summer (in the winter it’s lower in the sky).
 The forest is thick.
 Dry offshore trade winds blow over the tropical
iv Remember to link up points about the deserts but, when they meet at the Inter-Tropical
vegetation with the climate: Convergence Zone in the tropical rainforest
 The vegetation is dense, with a large variety of climate, they rise 2 giving rain.
species, because of the hot and wet climate  Tropical deserts are dominated by high-
(which provides ideal growing conditions). pressure systems in which air descends and
 The forest is evergreen, because there are warms, so the air is dry. Tropical rainforest
no seasons. climates are dominated at the doldrums by
 Leaves have drip tips to shed the heavy rain. low pressure in which rising air cools to below
 Tall emergents grow up through the main dew point and gives rain.
forest canopy to reach more sunlight.  Evaporation rates are high in the tropical
 Lianas also grow up the trees to reach rainforest climate, where there are abundant
the sunlight. sources of moisture (including transpiration from
b i The evidence includes that they: the forest). In tropical deserts the air is dry.
 have policies in place to protect the global  The cloudiness of the tropical rainforest climate
environment, because they are aware of keeps temperatures even, whereas the lack of
the need to take care of it clouds in tropical deserts causes extremes of
 do not use former rainforest land to source temperature by day and night.
their beef 2 their beef suppliers use
well-established cattle ranches instead Cambridge IGCSE Geography 0460/02 Q3
 printed their notice on recycled paper.
November 2008
ii There is concern about rainforest destruction
a i 22 °C plotted and line drawn, with 10 mm
because:
plotted and shaded.
 of the loss of habitats and species which
ii Southern.
might be sources for possible future
iii 12 °C.
medicines (many species might become
extinct before their unique value is realised) iv They are hotter because they have less cloud
 food chains could be disrupted if species cover (as indicated by the lower rainfall).
become extinct b The vegetation is grass and trees. The grass is
 increased run-off leads to soil erosion and yellow and dry and grows in tussocks. The vegetation
flooding (the eroded soil is washed into is sparse and patchy, with areas of bare ground. The
rivers, polluting them and filling them with trees are flat topped (umbrella shaped), with little
sediment, causing them to flood) foliage and thin trunks. They are widely scattered.

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