ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND SOCIETY · Environmental Science and Society – Part 1 Page 3 CANDIDATE INSTRUCTIONS You MUST make sure that your responses to the questions in this examination

Pages: 12 Questions: 4 ©Copyright for part(s) of this examination may be held by individuals and/or organisations other than the Tasmanian Qualifications Authority.

Tasmanian Certificate of Education

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND SOCIETY

Senior Secondary

Subject Code: ESS315114

External Assessment

2014

Part 1

Time: approximately 35 minutes

On the basis of your performance in this examination, the examiners will provide a result on the following criterion taken from the course statement: Criterion 2 Develop, interpret and evaluate experiments and investigations.

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Environmental Science and Society – Part 1

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CANDIDATE INSTRUCTIONS You MUST make sure that your responses to the questions in this examination paper will show your achievement in the criteria being assessed. Answer ALL questions. Answers must be written in the spaces provided on the examination paper. You should make sure you answer all parts within each question so that the criterion can be assessed. This examination is 3 hours in length. There are five booklets. It is recommended that you spend approximately 35 minutes in total answering the questions in this booklet. The 2014 External Examination Information Sheet for Environmental Science and Society can be used throughout the examination. All written responses must be in English.


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Question 1 Browsing (grazing) damage by wallabies to young eucalypt seedlings in forestry plantations and field test sites is a nuisance to researchers and costly to forestry operations. Researchers decided to conduct a trial with plots of bracken fern planted in rows between the rows of seedlings to assess whether or not this reduced browsing on the eucalypt seedlings. (a) Suggest a likely hypothesis that is being investigated, identifying the independent and

dependent variables. (3 marks) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. independent variable: .......................................................................................................... dependent variable: .............................................................................................................. (b) List four other variables that would need to be controlled in this field trial. (2 marks) 1. ........................................................................................................................................ 2. ........................................................................................................................................ 3. ........................................................................................................................................ 4. ........................................................................................................................................ (c) Briefly outline a procedure that researchers could undertake to test your hypothesis in

part (a). (4 marks) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................

Question 1 continues.

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Question 1 (continued) (d) Suggest what data would be gathered, and specify how the data would best be

displayed. (3 marks) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. (e) Even well designed field trials are subject to external factors that are often difficult to

control. Identify one such factor that is likely to influence this trial and describe how the trial can take this into account. (2 marks)

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Question 2 Name and then describe two methods that have been used by fisheries officers to obtaining data on marine fish stocks, outlining limitations of each of the methods you choose to describe. (6 marks) Method 1: ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... Method 2: ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................

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Question 3 An environmental engineer visiting the West Coast of Tasmania from interstate was reported in the media as saying that visual indicators, like the colour of the water and sediment, were obvious signs that mine drainage was widespread across the region. The opinion was formed from observations at 20 sites visited, but the media reported that at no stage were any water quality tests used to support the claim. Describe three relevant tests that could have been performed to support the mining engineer’s claim. Make sure you include a test for both abiotic and biotic factors in your answer. (6 marks) ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................

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Question 4 A study was made of a Tasmanian eucalypt forest. Shortly before the study, the trees were felled and the area burnt. The aim of the study was to monitor the changes in vegetation cover that took place after felling and burning. The area was sampled by counting annually the percentage of ground covered by species, within quadrants. The table below shows, as average percentages, the results of sampling in the burnt area over a five-year period.

Results of sampling over a five-year period Average cover (% of available ground)

(a) From the data above, what conclusion could be drawn from the study? (1 mark) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. (b) (i) Identify four criticisms of this study. (2 marks) .................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................... (ii) For one of the criticisms you identified above, outline the changes you would

make in the method to improve the study. (2 marks) .................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................

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Species Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Liverworts 65 78 20 15 5

Herbs 4 2 3 4 8 Fireweeds 19 4 0 0 0 Soft fern 3 2 22 31 20 Bracken 0 0 3 75 78 Wattle 0 2 39 68 80


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This question paper and any materials associated with this examination (including answer booklets, cover sheets, rough note paper, or information sheets) remain the property of the Tasmanian Qualifications Authority.




Senior Secondary


External Assessment

2014

Part 2


On the basis of your performance in this examination, the examiners will provide a result on the following criterion taken from the course statement: Criterion 5 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of ecological

processes. Section Total

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Question 5 A typical food web in the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland is given below. (a) Name two omnivores shown in this food web. (1 mark) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. (b) Identify two organisms that are carnivores. (1 mark) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. (c) From the organisms in this food web, construct a food chain that has at least four

trophic levels. (2 marks) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................


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Question 5 (continued) (d) Sketch a likely biomass pyramid based on this food web. (2 marks) (e) Suggest some immediate impacts on the rest of the food web if the tiger sharks were

removed. (2 marks) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. (f) Explain the role of decomposers in this food web. (2 marks) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................

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Question 6 (a) Give an example of a pair of organisms in each type of relationship below: (2 marks) (i) Mutualism .................................................................................................................................... (ii) Commensalism .................................................................................................................................... (iii) Predator-prey .................................................................................................................................... (iv) Parasitism .................................................................................................................................... (b) No two species can occupy exactly the same niche. Explain how and why different species can occupy the same habitat. (4 marks) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................

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Question 7 Australian agricultural soils are very deficient in phosphorus, leading to the application of phosphorus-rich fertilisers such as superphosphate. (a) Why are phosphate-based fertilisers applied to soils? (1 mark) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. (b) Using your knowledge of the phosphorous cycle, explain how the application of

fertilisers can ultimately result in eutrophication of inland waterways several hundred kilometres from where the fertiliser was applied. (2 marks)

............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. (c) Name two other sources of phosphate that may also contribute to higher levels of

phosphorus in inland waterways. (1 mark) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. (d) List four abiotic factors, other than eutrophication, that might provide ideal conditions

for algal blooms in late summer. (2 marks) 1. ........................................................................................................................................ 2. ........................................................................................................................................ 3. ........................................................................................................................................ 4. ........................................................................................................................................

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Question 8 Many organisms, such as mice, locusts and starfish, have periodic population peaks and troughs. Below is data from a long-term study showing changes in the density of the Crown of Thorns Starfish (COTS) in an area off the northern Queensland coast.

COTS Density over Time

(a) How is the density of organisms usually calculated? What is the most likely unit of

measurement of density on the graph? (1 mark) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. (b) A number of density-dependent and density-independent factors cause animal

populations to have peaks and troughs.

List four factors of each type below: (4 marks)

(i) density-dependent factors

1. ...............................................................................................................................

2. ...............................................................................................................................

3. ...............................................................................................................................

4. ............................................................................................................................... (ii) density-independent factors.

1. ...............................................................................................................................

2. ...............................................................................................................................

3. ...............................................................................................................................

4. ............................................................................................................................... (c) What type of growth curve describes the starfish density in the years 1986–1988? (1 mark)

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1.25

1.00

0.75

0.50

0.25

0.00 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014

Year

Den

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Question 9 Explain, referring to both Laws of Thermodynamics, how energy continuously enters and flows through food webs and why the energy seems to vanish. (5 marks) ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................

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Senior Secondary


External Assessment

2014

Part 3


On the basis of your performance in this examination, the examiners will provide a result on the following criterion taken from the course statement: Criterion 6 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of changes to

ecosystems, locally and globally.

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Question 10 (a) Explain the importance of biodiversity at each of the three levels: (3 marks)

(i) Genetic .................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................

(ii) Species ....................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................

(iii) Ecosystem.

.................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................... Some species become so low in numbers that they become endangered. (b) What criteria do conservationists use when assessing whether or not a species should

be actively conserved? (3 marks) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................

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Question 11 Below is a graph showing data on global temperatures and methane and carbon dioxide concentrations in the Earth’s atmosphere over the last 400 000 years.

Note: When the graph was produced the concentrations were Carbon Dioxide 379 ppm and Methane 1730 ppb.

(a) What does this graph show about the history of the Earth’s temperature? (2 marks) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................

(b) Describe the trend among the three variables shown in the graph. (2 marks) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................


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400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0

Age (thousands of years)

700 600 500 400

280

240

200

280

240

200

700 600 500 400

2

0

–2

–4

–6

–8

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–4

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(˚C

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Question 11 (continued) (c) Scientists today have many sources of evidence that support the theory that the Earth’s

climate has changed significantly over geological time. Identify two sources of evidence for climate change over geological time that you have

studied this year. Explain what the data obtained shows about the Earth’s climate over geological time. (6 marks) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................

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Question 12 Give an example of an introduced species you have studied this year, detailing: • why the species has thrived (2 marks) • the impacts of the species on its new environment (2 marks) • control methods used to eradicate the species, commenting on the success or failure of

these control measures. (4 marks) ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................

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Question 13 Sea level changes due to melting of ice sheets, thermal expansion of the oceans and coastal erosion are very real threats to both humans and other organisms inhabiting low-lying areas. Modelling by different agencies (e.g. CSIRO) shows that populations in some of these areas will be impacted more than others. Discuss some of the likely impacts to both humans and other organisms if sea levels rise. (8 marks) Humans: ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... Other organisms: ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................

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Senior Secondary


External Assessment

2014

Part 4


On the basis of your performance in this examination, the examiners will provide a result on the following criterion taken from the course statement: Criterion 7 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how humans depend

and impact on ecosystems. Section Total

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Question 14 Ciguatera poisoning is a type of food poisoning in humans that arises from the ingestion of toxins from large tropical marine species, such as red emperor or potato cod, which are popular table fish in restaurants and fish markets. The toxins in these large fish are caused by a common phytoplankton that forms the basis of the food chain and occasionally blooms. (a) Explain how toxins from phytoplankton can cause ciguatera poisoning in humans. (3 marks) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. (b) Give an example of two types of substances, other than algal toxins, that can

biomagnify given the right circumstances. (1 mark) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. Substances that biomagnify have characteristics in common that make them potentially harmful to humans and other organisms.

(c) List four such characteristics. (2 marks) 1. ........................................................................................................................................ 2. ........................................................................................................................................ 3. ........................................................................................................................................ 4. ........................................................................................................................................

(d) Name two strategies employed to reduce the risk of consumers eating fish that contain

harmful amounts of toxins. (2 marks) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................

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Question 15 There are many plant residues and products, such as biodiesel and ethanol, which are being trialled as alternatives to fossil fuels. Provide some arguments for and some arguments against growing crops for biofuel. (4 marks) ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................

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Question 16 The fracking* process used to release coal seam gas has upset some landholders in Southern Queensland and the Hunter Valley region in New South Wales. Coal seam gas exploration has now commenced in some areas of Tasmania. *fracking – is a process in which water, sand and chemicals are injected into the ground at high pressure to create fractures in the rock. This process can cause movement in existing fractures in the rock. Outline two advantages and three disadvantages of using coal seam gas as a fossil fuel source. (5 marks) Advantages: ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... Disadvantages: ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................

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Question 17 Aquaculture is a growth industry in Tasmania, with rapid increase in the number of sea pens for Atlantic salmon/ocean trout in Macquarie Harbour near Strahan. However, fish farming is not without its drawbacks. (a) Outline the major negative impacts that fish farming can have on surrounding marine

areas. (4 marks) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. (b) Briefly explain two advantages of fish farming. (4 marks) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................

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Question 18 The graph below shows the ecological footprint of selected countries, measured in global hectares per person.

(a) Which country’s ecological footprints are below that of global biocapacity? (1 mark) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. (b) Several countries have an ecological footprint which greatly exceeds global biocapacity.

Give two reasons why this can be so. (2 marks) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................


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gha/person

Global biocapacity

0 2 4 6 8 10

USA

Canada

UK

Mexico

Brazil

China

India

Indonesia

Bangladesh


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Question 18 (continued) The graph below shows a prediction of the countries most likely to contribute to ecological footprint increase up to the year 2050.

Top 10 contributors to global Ecological Footprint increase 2008–2050 (c) Suggest why all of the countries in the graph (other than the USA) are predicted to be

top 10 contributors in the period 2008–2050. (2 marks) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................

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Question 19 Discuss some of the critical ecosystem services provided by forests on Earth. (4 marks) ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................

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Senior Secondary


External Assessment

2014

Part 5


On the basis of your performance in this examination, the examiners will provide a result on the following criterion taken from the course statement: Criterion 8 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of principles for the

ecologically sustainable management of the environment.

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Question 20 Wind energy projects in Tasmania have generally been successful. Wind farms at Woolnorth (North-West), Musselroe Bay (North-East) and a proposed expansion at Granville Harbour (West Coast) have all met with little opposition by stakeholders. A recent proposal by Hydro Tasmania to establish a wind farm on King Island (Bass Strait), however, has been opposed by some residents. Before the project can proceed, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) must be completed. (a) Why does the government require that an EIA be carried out for this project? (2 marks) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. (b) Why is the EIS released for public comment? (1 mark) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. (c) Who might complete the EIS report for the project? (1 mark) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. (d) Some stakeholders see the EIA/EIS process as a mere formality, with 99% of all

projects that require an EIA approved; it is rare to have a project not approved solely on the basis of its EIS. Outline two other criticisms of the EIA/EIS process. (2 marks)

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Question 20 (continued) (e) List four major reasons King Island residents might give for not wanting the project to

proceed. (2 marks) 1. ........................................................................................................................................ 2. ........................................................................................................................................ 3. ........................................................................................................................................ 4. ........................................................................................................................................

(f) Outline two benefits of the project for King Island residents if the wind farm project

goes ahead. (2 marks) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................

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Question 21 The recent change in retailers supplying plastic bags to consumers has had an impact on the way we handle our groceries. Explain how sustainable management strategies and/or approaches have been employed to make the phasing out of retailer-supplied plastic bags a success. (4 marks) ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................

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Question 22 Palm oil is a type of vegetable oil used in many processed foods. Most of the world’s oil palm trees are grown on a few islands in Malaysia and Indonesia — islands with the most diverse forests in the world. Researchers have found that over the past 15 years about 60% of oil palm expansion there occurred at the expense of forests. Deforestation can cause soil erosion and air pollution, and the loss of ‘carbon sinks’ which contribute to climate change. Also, indigenous people have lost their agricultural land to large oil palm companies. For each of the ecologically sustainable development principles below, outline a breach of that principle in the situation above. (a) Intergenerational equity (1 mark) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. (b) Intragenerational (social) equity (1 mark) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. (c) Conservation of biodiversity and ecological integrity (2 marks) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. (d) Pricing of environmental values and natural resources (2 marks) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................

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Question 23 Ethanol fuel blends, such as ‘E10’ sold at most Australian petrol stations, are a way to reduce the amount of fossil fuels used in transport. The Biofuels Act (2007) imposes an ethanol mandate on major fuel suppliers. Fuel suppliers in New South Wales must ensure that from 2011 ethanol fuel blends account for 6% of petrol sales.

(a) What percentage of all fuel sales were ethanol blends in the third quarter of 2012? (1 mark) ............................................................................................................................................. (b) Suggest how the sales of ethanol fuel blends might be boosted. Your answer must

include at least one legal, one economic, one social and one technological approach. (5 marks)

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Sale

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Question 23 (continued) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................

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Question 24 There are many ways that areas in Australia can be designated as conservation reserves. One way is World Heritage listing. (a) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for a state or nation of having an area listed

as World Heritage. Include an example in your answer. (4 marks) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. (b) What are the roles of the federal government and state governments in World Heritage

listing? (2 marks) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................

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Environmental Science and Society Subject Code: ESS315114

2014 External Examination Information Sheet

Page 1 of 32

SOME COMMON TERMS EXPLAINED: Account explain Analyse examine data mathematically to gain understanding of the data Calculate to find the answer using mathematics Compare give an account of similarities and difference between two factors Construct represent information in a graphical form Deduce reach a conclusion from the information given Describe give a detailed account including all relevant information Design produce a plan Discuss give an account including a range of arguments, assessment of the importance of

various factors or a comparison of alternatives Distinguish give the difference between two or more different items Draw represent by means of pencil lines – include labels (unless told not to) - not to be

confused with Draw a Conclusion Estimate find an approximate value Evaluate assess the limitations and implications Explain give a clear account including causes and reasons List give a sequence of names or brief answers Identify find an answer for a quantity Measure Use a measuring instrument to find a value for a quantity. Always include the units of

the number (value) Outline give a brief account or summary Predict give an expected result

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“Cause”

CRITERION 2 – Develop, interpret and evaluate experiments

Formulating a Hypothesis Your hypothesis should 1. be feasible (i.e. be sensible and based on scientific

concepts) 2. be a statement (not a question) 3. be based on observations 4. involve one independent and one dependent

variable in a cause-‐and-‐effect relationship 5. be testable and measurable in a way that

demonstrates cause and effect Experimental Design State the hypothesis to be tested (unless already stated) 1. State the independent variable and how it is

manipulated 2. State the dependent variable and how it is

measured 3. Describe the procedure clearly in a step-‐by-‐step

fashion which could be easily followed in a laboratory or the field. § Indicate sample sizes, quantities of materials

and time involved Indicate how many replicas there are (if needed).

§ Describe which variables are controlled and how. Say why fixed variables are needed. Include factors relevant for the organism – biotic, and those abiotic relevant in the environment

§ What is the control group in the experiment and why is it needed.

4. How are the results analysed 5. Indicate any repetitions of the experiment

If required: 6. State what results would support the hypothesis

and what results would not support the hypothesis 7. Discuss any foreseeable problems in conducting the

experiment. § variables difficult to control, sample size issues,

ethical issues, animal vs human experimentation/environmental impacts etc.

INDEPENDENT VARIABLE (IV)

the thing that the experimenter deliberately varies

DEPENDENT VARIABLE (DV)

the thing that the experimenter measures

Unfixed / uncontrolled variables The impact of unfixed/uncontrolled variables can be reduced by

• using a large sample size, but this will depend on whether the organism is a plant or animal etc

• randomly assigning organisms to treatment groups or

• matching groups for similar factors Also ethical aspects need to be considered: Trial experiments conducted a in a confined situation (laboratory/greenhouse) need to precede field investigations. If the results of these are positive, small scale field investigations are then carried out. Unlike laboratories and greenhouses, experiments carried out in the field/environment contain many unfixed/uncontrolled variables. In such cases the experimenter may record relevant information that may explain observed differences in treatment results. While this provides greater certainty/reliability, greater caution is needed in interpreting results. Distinction between a replica and a repeat

• A replica is multiple identical groups within the one experiment.

• A repeat is doing the experiment again in a future time.

Sampling techniques

• Transects • Quadrats • Surveys

“Effect”

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Testing abiotic factors Temperature: how hot or cold a substance is. The temperature of a water body directly affects many physical, biological and chemical characteristics. Temperature directly affects the metabolic rate of plants and animals. Aquatic species have evolved to live in water of specific temperatures. What factors affect temperature? Water temperature varies in response to:

• air temperature • exposure to sunlight and amount of shade • turbidity of the water, which is often a result of

erosion in the catchment • groundwater inflows to the waterbody • discharge of warmed water from industry and

power plants, or cold water from dams • vegetation • type, depth and flow of waterbody

Turbidity: opacity or muddiness caused by particles of extraneous matter; not clear or transparent. Suspended material can be particles of clay, silt, sand, algae, plankton, micro-‐organisms and other substances. Turbidity affects how far light can penetrate into the water. It is not related to water colour: tannin-‐rich waters that flow through peaty areas are highly coloured but are usually clear, with very low turbidity. What factors affect turbidity? Turbidity is affected by:

• rainfall and catchment runoff • catchment soil erosion • bed and bank erosion • bed disturbance, e.g. by introduced fish species

such as carp • waste discharge • storm water • excessive algal growth • riparian vegetation • floodplain and wetland retention and

deposition • flow • waterway type • soil types • salinity.

Electrical conductivity: the property of a substance which enables it to conduct (carry) electricity. Salty water conducts electricity more readily than purer water. Therefore, electrical conductivity is routinely used to measure salinity. The types of salts (ions) causing the salinity usually are chlorides, sulphates, carbonates, sodium, magnesium, calcium and potassium. What factors affect electrical conductivity? Electrical conductivity in waterways is affected by:

• geology and soils • land use, such as agriculture (irrigation), urban

development (removal of vegetation, sewage and effluent discharges), industrial development (industrial discharges)

• flow (electrical conductivity is generally lowest during high flows and increases as flows decrease, with extreme levels occurring during droughts)

• run-‐off • groundwater inflows • temperature • evaporation and dilution.

pH: a measure of acidity (or alkalinity). What factors affect pH? A wide variety of factors may have an effect on the pH of water. These include:

• source of the water • rainfall • time of day • water temperature • amount of algal or plant growth in the water • geology and soils, e.g. acid sulfate soils • discharges of industrial wastes • disturbance of acid sulfate soils due to

agriculture, urban development or mining • atmospheric deposition (acid rain, dry particle

deposition) • burning of fossil fuels by cars, factories and

smelters • photosynthesis and respiration • salinity

Dissolved oxygen: a measure of the quantity of oxygen present in water. Oxygen is essential for almost all forms of life. What factors affect dissolved oxygen?

• water temperature • photosynthesis by aquatic plants • respiration by aquatic plants and animals • breakdown of organic materials in the water • water movement and mixing • flow (discharge) • salinity • altitude • depth • daily and seasonal cycles • presence of nutrients • chemicals in the water • thermal contamination • removal of vegetation

Phosphorus a mineral nutrient that is essential for all forms of life. The phosphorus found in a form called phosphate (chemical formula, PO4

3-‐). It is naturally derived from the weathering of rocks and the decomposition of organic material, but it can also enter waterbodies in runoff or discharges -‐ soil and fertiliser particles can carry phosphorus, and sewage is also rich in phosphorus.

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Phosphates available to plants and animals are called orthophosphates, and exist in waterbodies as dissolved and particulate (suspended) and colloidal forms. What factors affect phosphate? Phosphate concentrations in water are affected by:

• rock type and geology • soil type • seasonal conditions • animal and human wastes • phosphate-‐containing fertilisers • disturbed land • urban run-‐off, which usually contains it

Nitrogen an element that is essential for all forms of life The most common nitrogen compounds are ammonia (NH3), nitrate (NO3

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND SOCIETY · Environmental Science and Society – Part 1 Page 3 CANDIDATE INSTRUCTIONS You MUST make sure that your responses to the questions in this examination

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