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Essential Biology 5.2 The Greenhouse Effect: Due Date: Student Name: Candidate Number: 002171-xxx
Essential Biology 5.2 The Greenhouse Effect: Due Date: Student Name: Candidate Number: 002171-xxx
Cite all sources using the CSE method (or ISO 690 Numerical in Word). The first example has been done for you.
Complete the self-assessment rubric before submitting to Moodle. Avoid printing this if possible.
1. Annotate the diagram to show the carbon cycle and processes involved.
2. Outline some of the methods used to measure or estimate atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Recent history: For the past 40 years, Charles Keeling has been measuring atmospheric CO2
from his observatory in Mauna Loa, Hawaii and the 'Keeling Curve' has become an icon of
climate science. (The Keeling Curve shows the trend and annual cycle)
Geological history: Ice cores have been a good source of CO2 data where researchers are able to
analyze the CO2 concentration and estimate the year based on the depth of the core.
3. The topic of increasing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere has been the source of intense
debate with regard to climate change in recent years. This graph shows the famous ‘Keeling
Curve’ from Mauna Loa laboratory in Hawaii. Find out more here:
http://earthguide.ucsd.edu/globalchange/keeling_curve/01.html
c. Suggest one human impact and one natural cause that could have led to the overall trend
shown in the graph:
Anthropogenic:
5. Explain the greenhouse effect with the aid of a diagram. Include short-wave and long-wave
radiation.
6. Explain how increased atmospheric levels of greenhouse gases lead to an enhanced greenhouse
effect.
If the atmospheric levels of greenhouse gases increase this would eventually lead to enhanced
greenhouse effect because there would be a huge amount of greenhouse gases in the air while
the whole point of the effect is to limit the amount of gases in the atmosphere.
7. Outline some of the possible consequences of a global temperature rise on arctic ecosystems.
Ice coverage: most of the ice will melt away due to climate change.
Climate changes: due to global warming, the climate will be all over the place.
Animal populations: The animal population will fluctuate, for example the seal population will
increase to the lack of predators while the polar bear population will decrease due to lack of
food and ice to live on.
The precautionary principle is an assumption of the worst case scenario with respect to actions
whose outcomes are uncertain.
10. Give two other examples of the precautionary principle in effect in Biology or Medicine.
Global Warming
11. Evaluate the precautionary principle as a justification for taking strong action in response to the
threats posed by the enhanced greenhouse effect. What are some of the steps that we could
take? This video might help: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF_anaVcCXg
True
False
Conclusion:
Works Cited
1. Taylor, Stephen. 5.2 Greenhouse Effect (presentation). Science Video Resources. [Online] Septmber
2009. http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com/bis-ib-diploma-programme-biology/05-ecology-and-
evolution/the-greenhouse-effect/.
2. Allott, Andrew. IB Study Guide: Biology for the IB Diploma. s.l. : Oxford University Press, 2007. 978-0-
19-915143-1.
Self Assessment: