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Analyse the data shown in Figure 1 - AQA - A-Level Geography - Question 1 - 2021 - Paper 1
Question 1
Analyse the data shown in Figure 1. Figure 1 shows the impact of different rates of deforestation and afforestation upon land surface temperature (LST) at different... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Analyse the data shown in Figure 1 - AQA - A-Level Geography - Question 1 - 2021 - Paper 1
Step 1
Analysis of the relationship between forest cover, land surface temperature and latitude
Answer
The data in Figure 1 reveals a clear relationship between land surface temperature (LST) and changes in forest cover at various latitudes. It is observed that areas undergoing deforestation, particularly at latitudes below 25°S, tend to experience the most significant increases in land surface temperature, reaching up to 1.7°C. Conversely, afforestation tends to lead to a decrease in LST, particularly notable in regions that have recovered from substantial deforestation.
At mid-latitudes, between 25°S and 55°S, a smaller yet significant rise in temperature is recorded in deforested areas, thus indicating that the effect of deforestation diminishes as one moves closer to the equator. Furthermore, the graph indicates that areas at northern latitudes display smaller temperature shifts than those in southern latitudes, further illustrating the geographic disparity in how deforestation and afforestation influence land surface temperature.
For instance, at high northern latitudes (55°N to 75°N), the changes remain less pronounced, highlighting that environmental responses can vary significantly based on geographic and climatic conditions.
Step 2
Evidence of variation in land surface temperature due to deforestation
Answer
Statistical anomalies evident in the data support that deforestation typically results in higher land surface temperatures across latitudes. The starkest temperature increases occur in landscapes with a 50%-70% reduction in forest cover, indicating a substantial negative impact on local climates. It is essential to highlight that deforestation trends are expected to lead to more extreme temperature variations in areas typically cooler in climate. Larger temperature fluctuations also correlate with geographical characteristics, suggesting that region-specific analyses must be undertaken to fully understand these environmental changes.
Step 3
Effects of afforestation on land surface temperature
Answer
Afforestation endeavors are shown to contribute to reducing land surface temperature effectively, especially in previously deforested regions. The data suggests that reforested areas exhibit lower temperatures, demonstrating an essential aspect of climate mitigation strategies. This effect, however, is influenced by the extent of the afforestation efforts, indicating that mere afforestation may not be sufficient to counterbalance extreme temperature increases unless conducted at substantial scales.