Distinguish between weather and climate.
Define the term biome.
Explain why ecosystems on different continents may be classified within the same biome.
The climate data table shows conditions at location X.
Monthly climate data for location X.
| Month | Precipitation / mm | Mean temperature / |
|---|---|---|
| January | 180 | 26 |
| February | 160 | 26 |
| March | 170 | 27 |
| April | 180 | 27 |
| May | 200 | 27 |
| June | 210 | 26 |
| July | 190 | 26 |
| August | 175 | 25 |
| September | 180 | 25 |
| October | 200 | 25 |
| November | 225 | 25 |
| December | 230 | 27 |
| Annual total / mean | 2300 | 26 |
Identify the terrestrial biome most likely to occur naturally at location X.
Outline two features of the climate graph that support your answer to (a).
A coastal city and an inland city are located at the same latitude. The coastal city has cooler summers and milder winters than the inland city.
Explain how the ocean can produce the difference in temperature between the two cities.
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Figure 1 shows climate data for two locations averaged over 30 years.
Figure 1. Mean monthly climate data for Locations A and B, averaged over 30 years.
| Month | Location A temperature / | Location A precipitation / mm | Location B temperature / | Location B precipitation / mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27 | 180 | 18 | 5 |
| Feb | 27.5 | 190 | 20 | 5 |
| Mar | 28 | 200 | 24 | 8 |
| Apr | 28 | 210 | 28 | 10 |
| May | 27.5 | 220 | 31 | 12 |
| Jun | 26.5 | 210 | 33 | 15 |
| Jul | 26 | 190 | 34 | 18 |
| Aug | 26.5 | 180 | 33 | 20 |
| Sep | 27 | 190 | 30 | 12 |
| Oct | 28 | 210 | 26 | 8 |
| Nov | 27.5 | 220 | 22 | 4 |
| Dec | 27 | 200 | 19 | 3 |
Calculate the annual temperature range for each location.
Identify the most likely terrestrial biome at each location.
Explain why net primary productivity and biodiversity are likely to be higher at Location A than at Location B.
Locations C and D are at the same latitude. Location C is on a coast influenced by a warm ocean current, while Location D is inland. Figure 3 shows their climatic conditions.
Monthly climatic data for Locations C and D.
| Month | C temperature / | C precipitation / mm | D temperature / | D precipitation / mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 8 | 90 | -4 | 20 |
| Feb | 9 | 80 | -2 | 20 |
| Mar | 11 | 85 | 3 | 25 |
| Apr | 14 | 85 | 10 | 30 |
| May | 17 | 90 | 17 | 50 |
| Jun | 19 | 85 | 23 | 65 |
| Jul | 20 | 80 | 27 | 70 |
| Aug | 20 | 85 | 26 | 65 |
| Sep | 17 | 90 | 19 | 45 |
| Oct | 14 | 95 | 11 | 30 |
| Nov | 11 | 90 | 4 | 25 |
| Dec | 9 | 95 | -1 | 25 |
Calculate the annual temperature range at each location.
Describe two climatic differences between Location C and Location D.
Explain how the ocean contributes to the climatic differences between the two locations.
The figure shows part of the tricellular model of atmospheric circulation in the Northern Hemisphere.

Identify the atmospheric circulation cell between the equator and X.
Explain why hot desert biomes are commonly associated with region X.
Average temperatures in a mountain region have increased over several decades.
State the expected direction of movement of terrestrial biome distributions in this region.
Explain two reasons why the existing biome may not move upslope as a complete community.
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Locations M and N occur at similar mid-latitudes. M is on a western coast, while N is far inland.
Distinguish the annual temperature patterns expected for a temperate maritime climate at M and a temperate continental climate at N.
State one biome likely to be associated with each climate.
State the sustained wind speed above which a tropical cyclone is classified as a hurricane or typhoon.
Outline three atmospheric or oceanic conditions required for tropical-cyclone formation.
Ecologists compiled representative monthly climate data for five locations where little land conversion has occurred.
Figure 1(a). Monthly precipitation and mean temperature at five locations.
| Month | precipitation / mm | temperature / | precipitation / mm | temperature / | precipitation / mm | temperature / | precipitation / mm | temperature / | precipitation / mm | temperature / |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 210 | 26 | 4 | 25 | 45 | 0 | 20 | -4 | 16 | -14 |
| Feb | 190 | 26 | 3 | 26 | 40 | 2 | 18 | -2 | 14 | -13 |
| Mar | 220 | 26 | 2 | 27 | 48 | 6 | 22 | 2 | 13 | -11 |
| Apr | 230 | 26 | 1 | 28 | 55 | 11 | 30 | 8 | 12 | -7 |
| May | 240 | 26 | 0 | 28 | 65 | 16 | 42 | 14 | 18 | -3 |
| Jun | 210 | 26 | 0 | 27 | 70 | 20 | 55 | 18 | 25 | 1 |
| Jul | 200 | 26 | 0 | 27 | 62 | 22 | 65 | 20 | 32 | 4 |
| Aug | 190 | 26 | 0 | 27 | 58 | 21 | 58 | 19 | 28 | 3 |
| Sep | 210 | 26 | 0 | 27 | 52 | 16 | 45 | 14 | 24 | -1 |
| Oct | 230 | 26 | 1 | 28 | 50 | 10 | 32 | 8 | 20 | -5 |
| Nov | 240 | 26 | 2 | 27 | 48 | 5 | 25 | 3 | 17 | -10 |
| Dec | 230 | 26 | 3 | 26 | 45 | 3 | 20 | -4 | 15 | -16 |

Calculate the total annual precipitation at location R.
Identify the most likely biome at locations P and T.
Explain why productivity is likely to be lower at Q than at P.
Outline why location S cannot be assigned confidently to one biome using Figure 1(b).
Evaluate the use of mean annual temperature and total annual precipitation to predict the terrestrial biome at a location.
Two coastal locations, U and V, lie at approximately 51 degrees north on opposite sides of an ocean basin. Location W lies inland at the same latitude.

Monthly climate data and native biome at three locations at approximately 51° N.
| Month | Mean temperature at / °C | Precipitation at / mm | Mean temperature at / °C | Precipitation at / mm | Mean temperature at / °C | Precipitation at / mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6 | 120 | -2 | 45 | -12 | 15 |
| February | 6 | 95 | -1 | 40 | -9 | 15 |
| March | 8 | 100 | 2 | 40 | -3 | 20 |
| April | 10 | 95 | 6 | 45 | 6 | 30 |
| May | 13 | 100 | 10 | 50 | 14 | 40 |
| June | 16 | 95 | 13 | 55 | 20 | 55 |
| July | 17 | 100 | 14 | 65 | 23 | 70 |
| August | 17 | 110 | 13 | 75 | 22 | 75 |
| September | 15 | 115 | 10 | 60 | 15 | 55 |
| October | 12 | 120 | 6 | 55 | 7 | 40 |
| November | 9 | 100 | 2 | 45 | -3 | 35 |
| December | 7 | 110 | -1 | 45 | -10 | 30 |
| Annual precipitation | not applicable | 1260 | not applicable | 620 | not applicable | 480 |
| Native biome | not applicable | Temperate forest | not applicable | Boreal forest | not applicable | Temperate grassland |
Calculate the annual temperature range at each location.
Describe two climatic differences between U and W.
Explain how the ocean and the warm current influence the climate at U.
Explain why different natural biomes occur at the three locations despite their similar latitude.
Evaluate the claim that latitude alone determines regional climate and biome distribution.
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Figure 2 shows generalized atmospheric circulation and mean annual precipitation in one hemisphere.


Identify the latitude shown with the lowest mean annual precipitation.
Describe the pattern in mean annual precipitation from the equator to .
Explain how atmospheric circulation produces the contrasting precipitation and biome productivity at the equator and .
Figure 4 shows changes in vegetation zones on a mountain between 1980 and 2020. Mean annual temperature at the base increased by during this period.

Calculate the mean annual rate of upward movement of the lower alpine-tundra boundary between 1980 and 2020.
Describe two changes in the distribution of the vegetation zones shown.
Explain why continued warming could reduce biodiversity in the alpine-tundra zone.
Define thermohaline circulation.
Explain how deep ocean water may form at high latitudes and contribute to the great ocean conveyor belt.
Regional temperature and precipitation data predict that a forest should occur in an area, but the present vegetation is open grassland.
Explain two possible secondary influences, other than regional temperature and precipitation, that could maintain the grassland.
Outline two sources of evidence that could be used to infer the natural biome before agricultural development.
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The figure compares neutral conditions with an extreme ENSO state in the tropical Pacific.

Identify the ENSO state shown in panel X.
Explain why this ENSO state may reduce marine productivity near north-western South America.
Figures 2(a) and 2(b) show idealized global atmospheric circulation and selected ecosystem data.


State the names of the three atmospheric circulation cells in one hemisphere.
Calculate the percentage by which mean annual precipitation at the equatorial belt exceeds that at the 30-degree belt.
Explain the high precipitation near the equator and low precipitation near 30 degrees north and south.
Explain the relationship between precipitation, latitude and net primary productivity shown in Figure 2(b).
Suggest why actual biome boundaries do not form continuous straight bands around Earth as represented by the model.
A protected mountain in the fictional Serrado Range has been surveyed repeatedly since 1980. Its summit is 3200 m above sea level.

Figure 4(b): annual climate observations at 2800 m; temperature anomaly is relative to the 1980 mean.
| Year | Temperature anomaly / | Snow-free days / |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 0.00 | 105 |
| 1981 | 0.07 | 106 |
| 1982 | 0.02 | 104 |
| 1983 | 0.15 | 108 |
| 1984 | 0.09 | 107 |
| 1985 | 0.21 | 110 |
| 1986 | 0.14 | 109 |
| 1987 | 0.25 | 111 |
| 1988 | 0.19 | 110 |
| 1989 | 0.34 | 114 |
| 1990 | 0.24 | 113 |
| 1991 | 0.38 | 116 |
| 1992 | 0.28 | 115 |
| 1993 | 0.43 | 118 |
| 1994 | 0.36 | 117 |
| 1995 | 0.49 | 121 |
| 1996 | 0.41 | 119 |
| 1997 | 0.56 | 123 |
| 1998 | 0.45 | 121 |
| 1999 | 0.61 | 125 |
| 2000 | 0.50 | 124 |
| 2001 | 0.66 | 127 |
| 2002 | 0.58 | 126 |
| 2003 | 0.72 | 129 |
| 2004 | 0.63 | 127 |
| 2005 | 0.76 | 132 |
| 2006 | 0.68 | 130 |
| 2007 | 0.84 | 134 |
| 2008 | 0.73 | 133 |
| 2009 | 0.89 | 136 |
| 2010 | 0.79 | 135 |
| 2011 | 0.95 | 138 |
| 2012 | 0.84 | 137 |
| 2013 | 1.01 | 140 |
| 2014 | 0.93 | 139 |
| 2015 | 1.08 | 143 |
| 2016 | 0.98 | 142 |
| 2017 | 1.15 | 145 |
| 2018 | 1.05 | 144 |
| 2019 | 1.22 | 147 |
| 2020 | 1.12 | 146 |
| 2021 | 1.29 | 149 |
| 2022 | 1.20 | 148 |
| 2023 | 1.35 | 150 |
| 2024 | 1.27 | 149 |
| 2025 | 1.40 | 151 |
Calculate the mean annual rate of upward movement of the tree line between 1980 and 2025.
Describe the changes in temperature and snow-free days shown in Figure 4(b).
Explain how the climatic changes may have caused the changes in vegetation zones.
Suggest two reasons why species within a shifting biome may not all move upslope at the same rate.
Evaluate the conclusion that global warming is the only cause of the observed vegetation changes.
A regional climate classification predicts that the undeveloped lowlands shown in Figure 5 would support temperate deciduous forest. Figure 5 shows present land cover and local environmental conditions.

Identify one zone that supports the predicted natural biome and one zone where local hydrology prevents this biome from developing.
Suggest why the predicted biome has not developed in Zones P, Q and T.
Suggest how evidence from Figure 5 could be used to infer the local biome that existed before urban and agricultural development.
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Figure 6 compares neutral and El Niño conditions in the tropical Pacific and shows observations from a coastal monitoring station near north-western South America.

Monthly observations at a coastal monitoring station during transition from neutral conditions to El Niño.
| Month | SST anomaly / | Nitrate / | Chlorophyll-a / | Fishery catch / thousand tonnes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 0.0 | 8.0 | 1.80 | 160 |
| February | +0.1 | 7.8 | 1.75 | 157 |
| March | +0.2 | 7.5 | 1.68 | 153 |
| April | +0.3 | 7.2 | 1.60 | 148 |
| May | +0.5 | 6.8 | 1.52 | 143 |
| June | +0.7 | 6.4 | 1.45 | 138 |
| July | +0.9 | 6.0 | 1.37 | 133 |
| August | +1.1 | 5.5 | 1.28 | 127 |
| September | +1.3 | 5.0 | 1.18 | 120 |
| October | +1.6 | 4.3 | 1.08 | 113 |
| November | +1.8 | 3.6 | 0.98 | 106 |
| December | +2.0 | 3.0 | 0.90 | 100 |
Calculate the percentage decrease in chlorophyll-a concentration from January to December.
Describe the relationships between the sea-surface temperature anomaly, nitrate concentration, chlorophyll-a concentration and fishery catch.
Explain the decrease in fishery catch during the El Niño event.
Figure 8 shows part of the great ocean conveyor belt and the properties of water at three locations.

Water properties at three Atlantic Ocean locations.
| Location | Water type | Temperature / | Salinity / PSU | Density / |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X | Tropical Atlantic surface | 26 | 35.0 | 1023.0 |
| Y | High-latitude North Atlantic surface | 3 | 35.2 | 1027.8 |
| Z | North Atlantic deep water | 2 | 35.0 | 1027.6 |
Calculate the difference in density between the surface water at Locations X and Y.
Explain why surface water sinks near Location Y and describe its subsequent movement.
Explain how the surface component of this circulation can influence climate and biome distribution in the high-latitude North Atlantic region.
Explain why evidence for global warming is more strongly linked to increasing tropical-cyclone intensity and rainfall than to an increase in the total number of tropical cyclones.
The fictional Arova Basin extends from an ocean coast to an inland plateau. Researchers investigated why observed vegetation differs from the biome predicted using regional climate.

Monthly climate data and annual summaries for sites A–D, with contextual evidence for site D.
| Month / evidence | Temperature at / | Precipitation at / mm | Temperature at / | Precipitation at / mm | Temperature at / | Precipitation at / mm | Temperature at / | Precipitation at / mm | Additional data at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 8 | 105 | 0 | 10 | -3 | 130 | 2 | 8 | — |
| Feb | 9 | 95 | 2 | 10 | -2 | 110 | 4 | 10 | — |
| Mar | 11 | 90 | 7 | 15 | 1 | 95 | 9 | 15 | — |
| Apr | 13 | 85 | 13 | 25 | 5 | 70 | 15 | 25 | — |
| May | 15 | 90 | 19 | 40 | 9 | 60 | 20 | 40 | — |
| Jun | 16 | 85 | 24 | 60 | 12 | 50 | 25 | 60 | — |
| Jul | 17 | 80 | 27 | 75 | 15 | 40 | 27 | 75 | — |
| Aug | 17 | 85 | 26 | 75 | 15 | 45 | 26 | 70 | — |
| Sep | 16 | 90 | 20 | 55 | 11 | 55 | 21 | 50 | — |
| Oct | 15 | 100 | 13 | 45 | 6 | 75 | 15 | 40 | — |
| Nov | 11 | 120 | 9 | 35 | 2 | 110 | 9 | 35 | — |
| Dec | 8 | 155 | 8 | 25 | 1 | 140 | 7 | 32 | — |
| Mean annual temperature | 13.8 | — | 14.0 | — | 6.0 | — | 15.0 | — | — |
| Annual precipitation | — | 1180 | — | 470 | — | 980 | — | 460 | — |
| Annual temperature range | 9 | — | 27 | — | 18 | — | 25 | — | — |
| Historical pollen at | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Grass species dominant |
| Native vegetation remaining at | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6% |
| Land and water use at | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Irrigation and urbanization |
| Water-table change at | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 m decline since 1995 |

Distinguish between a temperate maritime climate and a temperate continental climate using sites A and B.
Explain why the observed vegetation at C differs from the climate-based prediction.
Explain how natural disturbance maintains the biome observed at B.
Suggest the most likely natural biome at D in the absence of urban and agricultural development, giving two pieces of evidence.
Evaluate the reliability of the researchers' reconstruction of the natural biome at D.
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Marine scientists monitored the eastern and western tropical Pacific during three contrasting phases of the El Niño Southern Oscillation cycle. In Figure 6(b), months 1 to 12 represent neutral conditions, months 13 to 24 represent El Niño conditions and months 25 to 36 represent La Niña conditions.
Calculate the percentage decrease in mean fish catch from neutral to El Niño conditions.
Describe the relationships among sea-surface temperature anomaly, nitrate concentration and chlorophyll-a concentration shown in Figure 6(b).
Explain the changes in eastern-Pacific marine productivity during El Niño.
Explain why La Niña has effects opposite to El Niño in the eastern tropical Pacific.
Evaluate the claim that the ENSO phase alone determines fishery yield in the eastern tropical Pacific.
Figure 7 summarizes global tropical-cyclone observations for two 15-year periods.
Figure 7. Global tropical-cyclone observations; satellite coverage and storm detection improved during the observation period.
| Observation period / year | Mean SST anomaly / | Proportion reaching major intensity / | Mean annual count / | Count uncertainty range / |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981–1995 | 0.10 | 24 | 86 | 82–90 |
| 2006–2020 | 0.70 | 36 | 88 | 84–92 |
Calculate the percentage increase in the proportion of tropical cyclones reaching major intensity between the two periods.
Analyse the extent to which the data support an increase in tropical-cyclone activity.
Explain how warmer ocean and air temperatures may increase tropical-cyclone intensity, and state one limitation of using Figure 7 to establish causation.
Outline four ways in which temperature, precipitation and insolation influence the distribution of terrestrial biomes.
Explain how the tricellular model links atmospheric circulation to the distribution and relative productivity of terrestrial biomes.
Using named examples, to what extent can the tricellular model explain the global distribution of terrestrial biomes?
Outline four characteristics of the tundra biome that result from its climatic conditions.
Explain how global warming may change the location and composition of mountain and high-latitude biomes.
Using named examples, evaluate strategies for conserving biodiversity as biomes shift in response to global warming.
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Define productivity and biodiversity, and outline one climatic limiting factor for each of terrestrial and marine biomes.
Explain how climatic limiting factors may produce differences in productivity and biodiversity between tropical rainforest and hot desert biomes.
Using named examples from terrestrial and aquatic biomes, discuss the claim that high productivity necessarily results in high biodiversity.
A research consortium analysed tropical cyclones in the fictional Meridia Ocean basin from 1980 to 2024.


Tropical-cyclone indicators and contextual observations for the Meridia Ocean basin.
| Indicator | 1980–1999 | 2005–2024 | Change / note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total cyclones / decade | 74 | 77 | +3 per decade |
| Major cyclones / decade | 14 | 25 | +11 per decade |
| Maximum 24-hour rainfall during major cyclones / mm | 310 | 430 | +120 mm |
| Satellite coverage | Incomplete before 1988 | Not stated | Early observations limit comparison |
| Coastal population change, 1980–1999 to 2005–2024 | Baseline | relative to 1980–1999 | Exposure increased |
| Mangrove area change, 1980–1999 to 2005–2024 | Baseline | relative to 1980–1999 | Area decline may reduce natural coastal protection |
State the sustained wind-speed threshold at or above which a tropical cyclone is classified as a hurricane or typhoon.
Calculate the percentage increase in the mean number of major cyclones per decade between the two periods.
Describe the evidence for changes in tropical-cyclone activity shown in Figures 7(b) and 7(c).
Explain how warmer ocean and air temperatures can increase tropical-cyclone intensity and rainfall.
Evaluate the conclusion that global warming has increased the risk to communities in the Meridia basin.
Oceanographers studied deep-water formation in the fictional Norda Sea and its relationship with poleward ocean heat transport.


Modelled current and reduced-ocean-heat-transport climate outputs for two coastal regions, with their relationship to the warm poleward current.
| Region | Model scenario | Winter temperature / | Annual precipitation / mm | Projected natural biome | Coastal setting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western coast | Current climate | 7 | 1120 | Temperate forest | Adjacent to warm poleward current |
| Western coast | Reduced ocean heat transport | 4 | 920 | Boreal forest | Adjacent to warm poleward current |
| Eastern coast | Current climate | -5 | 610 | Boreal forest | Not directly supplied by warm current |
| Eastern coast | Reduced ocean heat transport | -6 | 590 | Boreal forest | Not directly supplied by warm current |
Define thermohaline circulation.
Calculate the percentage decrease in the deep-water formation index between the two five-year periods.
Explain how the temperature and salinity changes in the Norda Sea could reduce deep-water formation.
Explain why reduced ocean heat transport is projected to affect the western coastal region more than the eastern coastal region.
Evaluate the reliability of the conclusion that weaker deep-ocean circulation will cause a shift from temperate forest to boreal forest in the western coastal region.
Distinguish between temperate maritime and temperate continental climates and state one biome associated with each climate type.
Explain how thermohaline circulation redistributes heat and nutrients through the great ocean conveyor belt.
Using named examples, to what extent are ocean currents more important than atmospheric circulation in determining regional climates and biome distribution?
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Outline four characteristics of neutral atmospheric and oceanic conditions in the tropical Pacific Ocean.
Explain how El Niño and La Niña develop and affect marine productivity and rainfall patterns.
Using named examples, evaluate strategies for reducing the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of ENSO events.
Outline four conditions required for the formation and organization of a tropical cyclone.
Explain why evidence links global warming more strongly to increasing tropical-cyclone intensity and rainfall than to an increase in the total number of tropical cyclones.
Using named examples, to what extent is adaptation more effective than climate-change mitigation in reducing risks from increasingly intense tropical cyclones?