Refer to Figure 1 which shows the world patter of air pressure in a certain month, @ ) © @ © Figure 1 Pressure system A TE] Pressure system B Which pressure system, A or B, stands for high pressure? (1. mark) Inwtich mnths ths pressure pattern mos ely to be found? “i = (1 mark) Describe the world distribution of high pressure systems in that month marks) How does the air pressure system over Asia affect the weather of Hong Kong during this period ? (6 marks) Explain the formation of the pressure belt along the equator. (6 marks) 1 (a) (b) (©) (@) @) PRWIN 90-CE-GEOG Pressure system A stands for high pressure. This pressure pattern is most likely to be found in November. In the Northern Hemisphere, high pressure is in a continuous bet stretching from 30*N to 60'N. Besides, a narrow heft of high pressure is found lying across the Atlantic Ocean. In fact, R links up the high pressure systems over North America and Eurasia. In the Southern Hemisphere, high pressure is in cells around the horse latitudes. These cells can only be found over the oceans, e.g. the Indian Ocean In the winter months a high pressure system forms over the interior of Asia while a low pressure system develops over the equatorial regions. Wind blows from the high pressure centre to the low pressure centre. It blows out in a clockwise direction from the centre of high pressure. It is cold and dry off-shore northerly or north-easterly wind when it reaches Hong Kong. This winter monsoon will lower the temperature of Hong Kong. Furthermore, it often brings stable weather with little rainfall or low relative humidity to Hong Kong The doldrums or equatorial low form over the equator are the result of intense solar heating. In these low latitudes, the angle of the midday sun is always high. Intense overheating or high temperature causes the heated air to expand and rise. The doldrums are essentially a region of strong convection warm air currents. Since winds blows from the subtropical high pressure belts towards the doldrums, hence the doldrums become the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) for the meeting of N.E. and S.E. trade winds.Refer to Figure 2 which shows a forest ecosystem, Figure 2 ° - (2) Name wo river basins in the workd where such a forest ecosystem can be found. 2 marks) (b) Name nwo physical inputs of the ecosystem. (2 marks) (©) _Deseribe the characteristics of the tees in the tallest layer. (4 marks) (4) Explain why such a luxuriant growth of trees is possible in this ecosystem, (6 marks) (e) What ecological changes might occur to the system as a result of deforestation? (7 marks) (b) () (@) ) ECO 90-CE-GEOG The Amazon Basin and the Congo Basin are the two river basins in the world where equatorial rainforest ecosystem can be found. Sunlight and rainwater are two of the major physical inputs of the ecosystem. Within the equatorial rainforest, the trees in the tallest layer can be regarded as the emerg ent species. They have straight, thick trunks and buttress roots to support themselves. Their ‘crowns are large and with branches grown at top. Moreover, the stems of these tall trees, about 50 m in height are also good living habitats for those epiphytes and climbers. The growth of tree in an equatorial rainforest ecosystem is known to be dense and luxuriant. Large amount of incoming solar radiation, heavy annual rainfall over 2000 mm, high relative humidity, and little seasonal variation are some of the reasons. Other explanation may include the input of nutrients, either through the process of nutrient recycling or from rain. As there is a lot of dead leaves found on the floor of the forest and high temperature favours the growth of soil organisms, as well as, the rapid decomposition of liter, hence, the recycling of nutrient may thus be able to speed up. If deforestation were to take place in an equatorial rainforest, some changes of its ecological ‘components, such as, climate and soil might occur. It is recognized that the felling of trees over a large piece of land within the forest may give tise to the local temperature as more sunlight is able to reach the ground in that situation. Besides, stronger wind, quicker rate of evaporation, as well as lower rate of transpiration and relative humidity will also be recorded after the loss of forest. Apart from the change of microclimate, deforestation may also lead to the increase of surface runoff and soil erosion; the drop of soil moisture and s¢ ly (due to more sunlight and less liner respectively). Furthermore, another harmful effect of deforestation is the destruction of habitat to most organisms living in the forest.10870 a Refer othe map exact pomde o e Fig 3 shows the crosssecton along the ls fr 010670 to 040670. (What isthe vera exaperaon ofthe crosesction? (2 math) Ae the wo points, 010670 and 40670, interible? (1 mark) (Gi) Whats the lndfocm masked A onthe crosssection? (1 mark) (0) Account for the formation ofthe landform A. r marks) (© What stheengh of the sueam in meres fom 040662 100206727 mark) Wa isthe eitference in height between thse two points? 1 mek) (Gi) Calulte the average gradient ofthe steam between these two points (Gms) {Us ree ways in which man has modiing the soustine of Chek Lap Kok Gms) Pawe3 A Ret ae 4 = es 0610 co (b) ©) MPI 90-CE-GEOG The vertical exaggeration of the cross-section is two. The two points 010670 and 040670 are intervisible. The landform marked A on the cross-section is believed to be a delta. ‘A delta is a flat depositional plain produced by a river when it enters a calm sea. A delta usually forms when there is a shallow sea at the river mouth, there is gentle slope near shore and weak seawave action. As a river loaded with sediment which is derived from the erosion in the upper course reaches the gentle lower course, it velocity is checked and slowed down. Deposition of sediments may then take pl ace on the river bed and on two sides of the rivers during flooding. When the river reaches the sea, silly particles may aggregate into larger particles in salty water by a process called flocculation. These heavy particles are then deposited at the river mouth. The main river channel is thus blocked. The river may overflow and split int © many secondary outlets called distributaries. They enter the sea at individual mouths. The Tung Chung Delta (marked as landform A) formed at the head of a sheltered bay is well protected by Chek Lap Kok to its north. (). The length of stream from 040662 to 020672 is about 2580 m. (i) The vertical difference between these two points is about 65 m. (ii) The average gradient of the stream between these two points is about 1 : 39.7. Owing to the construction of pier and reclamation, man has modified the coastline of Chek Lap Kok. Besides, during the above processes, the natural irregular coastline has also been straightened, it is again a kind of modification.4, Fagus hows the population pyramid for Count © country A which Coun A Bhat Naber erent of ren mak) (a) Bepaia he ge popoeton fcr in at county. ( maka) ‘Which County, A xB has these percentage of he mk) (0) pan eeprom sou, 1F Country A experiences spel pouliton wow a arabe ‘ourers elite, nh pote wi face he nett cies 10 mats) te Country B, which rw type of econo activity employ the aes operon of he working popalaton? ve ass. (mah) Figures County B 4 @ @ ( (b) () (@) POPI 90-CE-GEOG Country A has high percentage of children The population pyramid of Country A reflects the fact that Country A is a developin g country as it has large proportion of children, high birth rate and lacks family planning. Besides, decreasing infant mortality rate due to improved medical care is also a factor accounting for the large proportion of children in Country A. Country B has higher percentage of the aged. The population pyramid of Country B indicates that ft is a developed country as R has smaller number of children and lower death rate. As a developed country, Country B can provide better medical care, social welfare, living environment and diet for its people in Country B can enjoy longer lives. Country A will face overpopulation and related problems if it keeps on having rapid population growth. In order to provide more food for its growing population, Count ty A may have to cultivate heavily upon its limited farmland. Under this situation, s oil exhaustion may occur and this in turn will lead to the fall of food supply and starvation. Apart from the above, Country A, also has to encounter the problem of general poverty, insufficient social services, inadequate housing, unhealthy living condition, low level of technology, poor transport, high rate of unemployment and feracy, as well as social or political unrest. In fact, all these problems are mainly due to the lack for economic development. in Country B, manufacturing and tertiary industry employment largest proportion of the working population. The above phenomenon is mainly due to the practice of industrialization and urbanization, through which plenty of jobs in secondary and tertiary activities can be offered. Besides, since Country B is well developed and wi th high living standard, so, there will be greater demand for manufactured goods a nd services. In that case, more people will be employed by factories and commerc ial firms for production.5. Say Rg Saf THe 50 wie hw the yout an Asta am nda cna di ) Vane ma ene ore st beg pated on fam, Aco for he main cae coma hth farmer may face Songs some pole eases reteome thes contri. (6 mas) 5 @ ws (b) x ‘= bans sane © Fema lg) EFARM 90-CE-GEOG Wa many eapemwo) Pe YO = Tamar > ‘Wem mony anal ay fe] > pe] sm ine pane ee ‘As shown in the map, the presence of wheat fields, pastures, grain silo and shearing shed prove that mixed farming (growing of crops and rearing of animals i nthe same farm) is being practiced on this farm. The Australian farm as indicated in Figure 5a is now practicing extensive farming. Large farm size about 8 sq.km and large field size are strong evidence. Besides, th @ presence of machinery shed also reflect the truth that this Australian farm is larg @ enough to adopt the practice of mechanized farming. i) To prove the above Australian farm does practice soil conservation, the following evidence may be useful. They are the fallow land and pastures. These two types of landuses usually change with each other to allow crop rotation to be practiced successfully in the farm for the sake of improving soil fertility. Besides, the growing of pines as the wind break to check soil erosion is also a kind of policy for so conservation. Data from Table 5b illustrates the fact that farmers in this area may suffer from certain climatic constraints. Drought or low annual rainfall and low relative humidity are some of the difficulties in farming- Other obstacles may include cold winter and high rate of potential evapotranspiration in summer. Moreover, since the rate of PE is greater than the mean monthly rainfall in summer, due to long sunshine hours, hence, water deficit may occur in soil. It will hinder farming to some extent. To overcome the above constraints, farmers in that area may adopt the following measures. They include the practice of dry farming, the use of drought resistant seeds, the constructi on of dams or water storage tanks to store rain water, the practice of irrigation (to tap water from stream or artesian wells), as well as the making of artificial rain FCON‘ gure 6x sows joe location of mpocan fon aed septs i Jan ee Peotgrph Go the ate of an Eon an se! Pan Dal er 1900 ot ‘Tokyo Bay. (b) to and sel plant bi efor 1900 coe © or and scl plane it after 1900 tone (4) wn steence othe ron and tee plant bt efor 1900, J) what problems do ths plans fat today? mans) enn (@) Nhat aie fcton advantages ofthe ron and te pla Phatopaph ob? obs may have ben ae by the sme of c ) Wat enone rns 90-CE-GEOG () In Japan, major iron and steel plants built before 1900 include Muroran in Hokkaid ‘0, Kamaishi in NE Honshu, Joban and Kita-Kyushu. The former two obtain iron ore from nearby places while latter two have local supply of coal. These are important locational factors favoured their early establishment, as one is material-oriented an d the other is power-oriented. Since all these steel plants have easy access to sea, they can enjoy low cost of sea transport in the import of raw materials and export of products. (i) Today, the above iron and steel plants face some problems in their production. Th ese include the exhaustion of iron or coal deposit, the shortage of labour (due to sparse population of these settlements), the inadequacy of infrastructure (such as poor port facilities or transport network), as well as the long distance from the mai A centres of industrial activities. There are still some other difficulties. High cost an d small-scale production are the examples, as these early developed plants keep on using those old and low efficient machines for iron and steel production. The iron and steel plant built after 1900 at Tokyo Bay as shown in photograph 6B possesses ‘a number of locational advantages. This plant is built on a piece of reclaimed land. Its coastal location with deep water harbour, good port facilities and infrastructure provides ‘cheap sea transport for it to import power or raw materials and export products easily. Besides, since this plant is set up on an extensive flat site and near major urban centres, thus, there is ample space for future expansion and adequate labour supply respectively. Moreover, the presence of steel-using industries, such as ship-building in the near vicinity is also an important factor favouring the establishment of this steel plant. In general, the production activity of an iron and steel plant may cause air, water, noise, thermal and visual pollution to the environment. It should be noted that water (for cooling purpose) after leaving the steel plant is stil hot. It will endanger the marine ecology to some extent. Besides, the occurrence of smog or acid rain over the steel plant is believed to derived from the polluted air in which contains a considerable amount of sulphurous gases, INDLOC MPL POL1 Figure 7 shows the lower coure ofthe Huang He, (2) Desebe the characteristics of this section ofthe aver, (4 marks) (©) Describe the harmful effects of Moods on people ving in the area (Grass) (©) Despite this reson being frequently affected by this hazard why ae ‘there sll many people ving there? marks) (4) What measures would you sugrst to prevent the occurrence of the saad? (marks) Figure? 7. (a) (0) © () NHAZ RI 90-CE-GEOG ‘As shown in the figure the gradient of this section of the river is quite gentle. The river flows in a meandering way across the low flood plain. There is a large variation in water level. itis mainly due to the process of heavy silting and the rise of the river bed. Floods will endanger the lives of people settling on the lower course of the Huang He. Besides, floods may also lead to the loss of livestock, the failure of crops, the occurrence of famine, the spread of diseases and the destruction of houses. Moreover, the supply of electricity and transport services will more or less be affected or disrupted. It is known that many people have been living on the lower course of Huang He for thousands of years despite the natural hazard of flood. It is because here the soil is fertile (mainly alluvium - good for farming), the land is flat (ease the development of transport and cultivation) as well as the availability of water for irrigation. Though flooding brings a lot of harmful effects to people, one of the advantages is it can replenish the nutrients in the soil annually. To prevent the occurrence of flood hazard, people usually carry out different types of measures. In the lower course of the river, man will dredge the river bed, straighten those winding channels, strengthen embankments and construct flood relief canals or retention basins. In the upper or middle course, the practice of soil conservation, the planting of trees and the bi ing of reservoirs are the major works to fight against floods.(2) 0 Dessbe and explain the pro hat acuta batup aes, marks) Suggest how this sprawl could be brought under control, (4 marks) () Ifyou were a farmer lvieg at X, what problem would you face ats est of urban sprawl? émais) Figues Stage Stage 2 sea Ie = ieee 8 () URPRO, 90-CE-GEOG () Figure 8 shows the stages of urban expansion of a place. The direction of expansi on mainly takes place along transport links and the rate of expansion seems faster in large towns, especially the largest one, as ft is a route focus. It is recognized tha t the growth of urban areas is at the expense of rural area. In fact, such kind of urb an sprawl is rather unplanned and formerly towns will merge together to form a conurbation. Shortage of land for further development in the old urban core and th e rise of urban population are the two major reasons leading to the sprawl of built- up areas. Other factors accounting for the process of suburbanization may include ‘the development of transport network and the wider ownership of private car. (i) In order to bring sprawi under control, government should legislate some land-use zoning ordinances or lay down certain new town development programmes. Throu gh these methods, the inflow of population from rural areas and the expansion of built-up areas beyond the green belt may be brought under control. Besides, the practice of urban renewal within the inner city is also an effective way to tackle with the above problem. It is unavoidable that urban sprawl may render the loss of farmland or the abandonment of farmland in rural areas. Moreover, urban encroachment may also lead to the breakdown of rural community and the loss of farm labour. It is mainly due to the influence of commercial and industrial activities taking place in the suburban areas. Furthermore, the quality of the rural environment will be degraded or polluted if the expansion of urban areas is in an unplanned manner.