Model Answers
Write a geographical note on Halloween Storm.
Why the question was asked-
In news because of weather conditions, and that “Space weather’ can and does affect Earth.
Scope
Marks fetching
Approach
Scientific, Compact
Limitations
Scientific,
Problems faced
Too flimsy a topic
Source Book
Physical Geography-K. Siddhartha
Web Source: Click Here
Introduction
Halloween refers to a particular period of time, a particular superstition, tradition, spirituality as well as a storm that is fierce of unknown genesis and destructive.
Halloween Storm therefor can be a gale storm a tropical cyclone, a blizzard that shook US in 1991.
Solar Storm
The Halloween refer to solar storms more particularly a series of solar flares and coronal mass ejections that occurred from mid-October to early November 2003, peaking around October 28–29.
These energetic storms began, a full two to three years after solar maximum, when solar activity was on the decline. During this usually “quiet” time, when few sunspots are visible, an outbreak of 17 major flares erupted on the sun.
Impact
The flares caused the sun’s magnetic field lines to stretch then suddenly snap like a rubber band stretched beyond its limit. The result was coronal mass ejections, enormous explosions on the sun’s surface that can blast billions of tons of electrified gas and subatomic particles into space at speeds up to 8 million kms per hour.
“The effects of these storms were re-route aircraft, affected satellite systems affect and aurorae formation at latitudes as far south as Texas and the Mediterranean countries of Europe.
Blizzard
A very strong, bitterly cold, wind accompanied by masses of dry powdery snow or ice-crystals, with poor visibility (white-out), under polar or high-altitude conditions. Derived from northwest Gales experienced in the USA in winter, but now used widely, especially in Antarctica.
Tropical Cyclone
are warm core vortex of tropical, origin with small diameter, circular shape, minimum surface pressure accompanied by high velocity winds spiralling inwards from all directions. They are anti-clockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere. Tropical cyclone is the result of some trigger in presence of suitable deep warm waters, (source of sensible and latent heat) presence of pre-existing low-level disturbances (low pressure) and upper atmospheric disturbances
The eye of the cyclone is circular, has low pressure and clear skies (subsidence of air the by troposphere). Around the eye is eye wall, where most intense winds are found. The wind bands rotate with storm in the form of spiral galaxy producing very heavy rainfall. They are very disastrous and cause damage to buildings and mankind.
Why is mapping important for analysing geo-hydrological investigations? Explain with relevant examples.
Why the question was asked-
In news because of Meghalaya
Scope
Need to be careful in wordings
Approach
Scientific, Compact
Limitations
Scientific,
Problems faced
Examples and Comprehension
Source Book
Physical Geography-K. Siddhartha
Web Source: Click Here
Geohydrological investigations are for ? Purpose??
They can be carried out in many ways-
- Remote Sensing
- Aerial Survey
- Ground Surveys and Mapping
Mapping means
Investigation means
Thus the aim is to know
- Beddings
- Type of rocks that determine permeability and porosity
- Faults
- Reservoirs
- Where is Groundwater?? Where is the Occurrence
- How much is the amount? Storage
- Of what quality
- Movement of water
It is important
- Because it lets you understand various layers of rocks permeable or non-permeable
- Arrangement of the layers
- To locate limestone regions
- To help locations of engineering projects
- Because if you do not map it, you will end up choosing wrong place for dams, roads, hill slope stability, colonies, agriculture, etc
- Because if you do not map it you will end up supplying wrong quantity to agriculture
- Because if you do not map you wont be able to locate industries
- Because if you do not map you wont To plan a settlement
- Because if you do not map you wont To define its sustainability
Marine resources are Economically very significant. Discuss citing suitable Examples.
Why the question was asked-
In news because UNCLOS is convening a meeting Ocean Traety 2021
Scope
Need to be careful in wordings
Approach
Factual, Compact and very well informed
Problems faced
Structuring
Source Book
Physical Geography-K. Siddhartha
Web Source: Click Here
- Why are they significant
- Is it cheap or easily available or exceptional for some reasons
- What will be its potential?
| Economic Value | Examples | |
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Cobalt crusted guyots | |
| (a) Dissolved in a sea water, | Sodium, Clorine, Gold, Iridium, Deuterium | |
| (b) Surface deposits, found as: | ||
| (i) Continental shelf deposits, | Zircon, monazite and rutile
Magnetite Cassiterite, Gold placers Diamonds, Platinum Muds, Sands Coral sands Phosphorite Sulphur, |
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| (ii) Continental slope deposits, | Coal | |
| (iii) Deep sea deposits. | Manganese nodules
Metalliferous deposits Sulphides of zinc, iron, copper and possibly silver, molybdenum, lead, chromium, gold and platinum |
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| (c) Sub-surface deposits. | Sulphur, Coal | |
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Deutorium | |
| Energy from the oceans may be obtained as: | ||
| (a) Tidal energy, | ||
| (b) Wave energy, | ||
| (c) Current energy, | ||
| (d) Salinity gradient, | ||
| (e) OTEC, and | ||
| (f) Biomass energy. | ||
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the ocean food resources are nutritionally of a very high quality. This is because:
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| These exist in the form of: | ||
| (a) Fishes, | ||
| (b) Seaweed, | ||
| (c) Plankton, | ||
| (d) Squids, | ||
| (e) Krill, | ||
| (f) Myctophids, and | ||
| (g) Benthos Resources. | ||
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multi-layered iron sulphide armour of Chrysomallon squamiferum |
Which factors influence the growth of wild plants in India? Discuss their economic significance.
Why the question was asked-
In news due to COVID
Scope
Need to be careful in wordings
Approach
Factual, Compact
Problems faced
Material
Source Book
Physical Geography-K. Siddhartha
Web Source : Click Here
WHAT ARE WILD PLANTS?
The term “wild” when applied to plants or plant species refers to those that grow spontaneously in self-maintaining populations in natural or semi-natural ecosystems and can exist independently of direct human action. The term is contrasted with “cultivated” or “domesticated” plants or plant species that have arisen through human action, such as selection or breeding, and that depend on management for their continued existence.
In practice the distinction is not an easy one to make, as there is a complete spectrum between completely wild and completely domesticated species, depending on the degree of human intervention or management involved.
Climatic, e.g., moisture, the presence in humid climates of coarse, gravelly soils, which are very pervious, may result in grass replacing forest as happens in many places in PENNSULAR India; conversely, water-retentive clays may give rise to swamp, with associated vegetation, in semi-arid and desert areas.
Moisture availability–Hygrophytes: plants that are moisture-loving and live either in water or in very damp and humid regions; examples of hygrophilous plants are the water hyacinth, mangrove, swamp rice and banana. Xerophytes: plants that are adapted to generally prevailing conditions of drought; cacti, euphorbias and other desert plants are xerophilous types. plants that are adapted to seasonal changes of rainfall and grow in areas of alternating wet and dry conditions. Tropophilous plants have the power to make adjustments necessary to changing conditions,
Temperature, a minimum temperature, below which it cannot exist; (ii) a maximum temperature, beyond which it cannot live; and (iii) an optimum temperature which is most favourable for it and at which it grows most vigorously.
Light is also a factor affecting the reproductive functions of plants. For many species, light is a necessary condition for flowering and seed production wind, that cause dispersal etc.
Edaphic, i.e., soil conditions. Although the porosity and thickness of soil may influence plant growth, the most important property affecting the distribution of plants is probably the chemical composition of the soil. Soil is an important source of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, phosphorus and sulphur, all of which are necessary for the production of fundamental organic substances. Plants often require specific trace elements for their normal growth, and it may well be that certain species grow only poorly, or not at all, because of a specific mineral deficiency, e.g., iron, copper, zinc, molybdenum, magnesium and chlorine, which though they possess no obvious link with organic substances, appear none the less to be very necessary for plant life.
Physiographic, e.g., structure, relief, altitude, slope, aspect. Relief may also be responsible for creating particular conditions of moisture, temperature and light by providing an obstacle to air movement, or by presenting slopes to direct insolation. Even quite minor undulations in the land surface can be of great significance to plant life, and in the Higher reaches of Kashmir, Laddakh and Uttaranchal.
The influence of drainage upon vegetation is well illustrated in tropical regions, where three types of wild plants are found; mangrove forest, which is associated with the brackish waters of tidal rivers and grows in perpetually waterlogged areas; swamp-forest, which occurs on alluvial plains that suffer regular fresh-water inundation; and rain forest which grows under conditions of adequate drainage.
Biotic, is the influence of organisms.
Micro-organisms act as decomposers, bacteria break down the organic matter (the remains of plants and dead animals) in the soil into various nutrients which are then recycled or used by growing plants.
Second, numerous animals are usually associated with, and interact with, the plants forming the vegetation. Many plants, as we have already noted, largely rely on insects to fertilise them and they can flourish and perpetuate themselves only through the assistance of the animal world. Some birds and animals prey on others and so keep the injurious activities of certain creatures in check. In other words, animals may live with plants in a balanced community; i.e. the flora and fauna are in a state of equilibrium. On the other hand, sometimes fauna may be responsible for fundamental changes in the character of the wild plants: there are, indeed, many cases of plants being destroyed and the vegetation being modified through the activities of animals and insects.
Anthropogenic, i.e., human influences due to clearance, burning, drainage, etc. Man influences wild plants in a variety of ways
By draining the land and thereby squeezing out water-loving species, man has altered the vegetation of many level, low-lying fen and marsh areas.
By producing changes in plants by selective breeding, hybridisation, etc., and by restricting growth to plants of economic importance, as in areas of arable farming
Fire. Of the physical impact of fire there is no doubt; within a very short space of time large areas can be completely devastated and fire can transform an environment which has taken hundreds of years to grow; it may take flagrations.
Discuss the problems associated with the living environment in million plus cities in India. How can these be managed?
Why the question was asked-
In news due to COVID
Scope
Marks fetching
Approach
Organization of thinking
Problems faced, Mistakes students are about to make
- Structuring, Romancing with Govt Programmes
Expectations,
- Language
- Structure
- Conclusion
- No Govt Programmes
Source Book
Cities Urbanisation and Urban System-K. Siddhartha & S. Mukherjee
Web Source: Click Here
Meaning of Question
What living environment means
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Write an essay on the evolution of continents and oceans using various theories and Models.
Why the question was asked-
Never asked
Scope
Marks fetching
Approach
Scientific
Problems faced, Mistakes Students are likely to make
Understanding the question
Explain Basin evolution not Oceans
Source Book
Physical Geography-K. Siddhartha
Web Source: Click Here
Difference between Origin and Evolution
Models of Crustal Origin
- Inhomogenous Earth Accretion Model
- Catastrophc Model
- Non Catastrophic Model
Models of Ocean Evolution
Basin evolution
Water evolution
Discuss the concept of coral bleaching, its recovery and macroalgal regime shifts due to this process.
Why the question was asked-
Always in news
Scope
Marks fetching
Approach
Scientific
Problems faced
Answering second part
Source Book
Physical Geography-K. Siddhartha
Web Source: Click Here
Causes of Coral Bleaching
Stress-related bleaching can also be induced if corals are subjected to intense solar radiation (especially ultraviolet wavelengths) a reduction of marine salinity, exposure to the air (by low tides or low sea level), sedimentation, or xenobiotics (chemical contaminants such as copper, herbicides, and oil). Often, these conditions are at least an indirect consequence of extremes in weather (such as hurricanes and typhoons) which may be proceeded by or occur concurrently with elevated sea surface temperatures. As a consequence, multiple factors may act in concert to cause bleaching. High solar irradiance (particularly ultraviolet wavelengths) is thought to be especially stressful to corals when coupled with elevated sea surface temperatures.
- Rise in Temperature
If temperatures are too hot for too long, the symbiotic relationship between the coral animal and its tenants, the zooxanthellae, collapses.
When corals are stressed by high temperatures and light, some of the chemical reactions in photosynthesis break down. Parts of the zooxanthellae are damaged – the chloroplasts – where photosynthesis takes place.. The result is that large numbers of damaged zooxanthellae leave the coral.
Rising water temperatures block the photosynthetic reaction that converts carbon dioxide into sugar. This results in a build-up of products that poison the zooxanthellae. To save itself, the coral spits out the zooxanthellae and some of its own tissue, leaving the coral a bleached white.
Coral reefs are bathed in unusually warm waters through at least two non-exclusive, mechanisms:
- Doldrum conditions.
- Current transport..
- increased exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation;
- large amounts of storm water from heavy rains flooding the reef;
- the exposure of coral to certain chemicals or diseases;
- euzootics – Introduciton of new pathogens and thus new diseases for eg. white band disease, black band disease, coral plague sediments such as sand or dirt covering the coral;
- xenobiotics – chemical contaminants such as copper, herbicides, and oil
- excess nutrients such as ammonia and nitrate from fertilisers and household products entering the reef ecosystem. (The nutrients might increase the number of zooxanthellae in the coral, but it is possible that the nutrient overload increases the susceptibility of coral to diseases.)
- Sedimentation by rivers
Macroalgal shift
Macroalgae is a collective term used for seaweeds and other benthic (attached to the bottom) marine algae that are generally visible to the naked eye. Larger macroalgae are also referred to as seaweeds, although they are not really “weeds”.
A phase shift occurs on a coral reef when the cover of a substrate by scleractinian corals is reduced in favor of macroalgal dominance, and resilience of the former condition is retarded because of ecological processes and/or environmental conditions. The change is often, associated with degradation of coral reefs such as coral bleaching, outbreaks of a coral-eating species, or storm damage and it involves a “phase shift” from abundant coral to abundant macroalgae
On many coastal reefs, corals face competition and overgrowth by fleshy macroalgae
- due to acute disturbance events,
- chronic nutrient enrichment and
- reduced herbivory.
Degradation of coral reefs often involves a “phase shift” from abundant coral to abundant macroalgae.
Fleshy macroalgae can outcompete corals, many of which are inhibited under elevated nutrient levels Fast-growing macroalgae are opportunists that benefit from disturbances, which release space resources from established, longer-lived organisms. They can also take over space from living corals when provided with sufficient nutrients.
However, macroalgae removal has received little formal attention as a method of reef restoration.
The effect of ecological role of macroalgae on coral reefs and the potential benefits and risks associated with their active removal are yet to be proved.
Explain the currents of the North Atlantic OcEan and their significant role in the climate of Western Europe
Why the question was asked-
Conventional
Scope
Very Marks fetching
Approach
Organization of thinking,
Problems faced
Structuring, Correlative
Source Book
Physical Geography-K. Siddhartha
Web Source: Click Here
The part of the current, which enters the Gulf of Mexico, comes out from the Florida Strait and joins the Antilles Current. This combined current moves along the south eastern coast of United States as Florida Current up to the Cape Hatteras. Beyond the Cape Hatteras, up to the Grand Banks, off New Foundland, it is called the Gulf Stream.
From the Grand Banks, the Gulf Stream is deflected eastwards under the combined influence of the Westerlies and the rotation of the earth. It crosses the Atlantic Ocean as North Atlantic Drift.
The North Atlantic Drift bifurcates into two branches on reaching the eastern part of the ocean. The northern branch continues as North Atlantic Drift; reaches the British Isles from where it flows along the coast of Norway as the Norwegian Current and enters the Arctic Ocean. The southern branch flows between Spain and Azores Island as the cold Canaries Current. The Canaries Current finally joins the North Equatorial Current and completes the circuit in the North Atlantic Ocean.
- Temperature
- Winds
- Pressure Conditins
- Humidity and Precipitation
- Cyclonic Disturbance
Figure 5.5 : Ocean Currents of the World, and Gyres.
Apart from the clockwise circulation of the currents in the North Atlantic Ocean, there are also two cold currents–the East Greenland Current and the Labrador Current, which flow from the Arctic Ocean into the Atlantic Ocean. The Labrador Current flows along the eastern coast of Canada and meets the warm Gulf Stream. The confluence of these two currents–one cold and the other hot, produces fog around Newfoundland and makes it the most important fishing ground of the world. East Greenland current flows between Iceland and Greenland and cools the North Atlantic Drift at the point of confluence.
Their significant role in the climate of western Europe
- Temperature
- Winds
- Pressure Conditions
- Humidity and Precipitation
- Cyclonic Disturbance
Explain how various factors influence the origin and development of the Indian monsoon system.
Why the question was asked-
New research and findings
Scope
Very Marks fetching
Approach
How diagrammatic can one be
Problems faced
Deciphering points, Making correct diagrams
Source Book
Physical Geography-K. Siddhartha
Web Source: Click Here
There are two parts of Monsoons-NE Monsoon and SW Monsoon
Origin of NE Monsoon
- Subtropical Westerly Jet and its bufurcation
Origin of SW Monsoon
Comprises of Monsoon winds from BOB and Arbian Sea, Tropical Depressions,
- Thermal Conditions
- Movement of ITCZ
- Sub tropical Westerly Jet
- MLPT
- Macarenas High
- Somali Jet
- Heating of Tibetan Plateau & Tropical Easterly Jet
- El Nino
- Dipole Circulation
- Madden Julien Circulation
Explain the characteristic FEAtures of Frontogenesis and Frontolysis.
Why the question was asked-
Conventional
Scope
Very Marks fetching
Approach
Organization of points,
Problems faced
Structuring, Correlative
Source Book
Physical Geography-K. Siddhartha
Web Source: Click Here
Cyclones or depressions form where a wave develops on the Polar front (hence, also known as wave cyclone), which allows a tongue of warmer Tropical air to penetrate into the Polar air mass. The whole process of, birth of depression is called frontogenesis while its decay is called frontolysis.
The initial formation of a front or frontal zone part of the formation of a depression. It can take place whenever the isotherms are suitably orientated during conditions of confluence and convergence in the lower atmosphere.
- Formation of Low Pressure
- Front Formation
- Wave Pattern Formation
- Rising Winds
- Different Weather along two different fronts
- Pressure
- Backing and Veering of Winds
- Clouds and their varieties
- Weather Phenomena and Rain
- Sequence of Weather following frontogenesis
Frontolysis
The weakening of the thermal gradient at a frontal zone. This is produced under the reverse conditions of frontogenesis, i.e., with surface divergence of air and often subsidence.
When frontolysis is taking place, precipitation along the front stops and the cloud sheet breaks up and eventually disappears.
Figure 13.1: Stage in the development of a Mid-latitude Frontal Depression.
Figure 13.2: An idealized model of a warm-sector depression. Upper diagram: Vertical cross-section north of wave depression. Middle diagram: representation of frontal wave and streamlines on surface chart. Lower diagram: vertical cross-section through warm sector. Shading indicates areas of precipitation.
Discuss the problems of erosional surfaces and explain the different methods to identify them with suitable diagrams.
Why the question was asked-
Conventional
Scope
Very Marks fetching
Approach
Sticking to answering the question,
Problems faced
Comprehension of the topic
Source Book
Physical Geography-K. Siddhartha
Web Source: Click Here
The almost plain topographic surfaces having undulating ground surface and remnant low relief caused by dynamic wheels of denudational processes and cutting across geological formations and structures are generally called erosion or planation surface. These include Peneplain, Pediplains, primarrumpf, Endrumpf, Etchplain Panplains, Gipfelflur, Stockwerk and schietelflur, Strath
Erosion surfaces are important markers for deciphering uplift events. Absolute time scales for events of uplift and erosion can be given by correlation with geology and thermochronological data, which is an important tool of the study of geomorphology.
Erosion surfaces form significant elements of landscape of a given region and provide prominent clues for the reconstruction of denudation chronology of that region.
Problems
- Identification
- Difficult
- Modified by tectonic movements and other geomorphic and climatic forces.
- Younger-more uniform, older-dissected
- Morphometric Techniques – altimetric frequency histograms, superimposed profiles etc.
- Dating of Erosion Surfaces
- Time correlation with other such surfaces with known history.
- Geological unconfirmity – buried under thick sediment cover.
- Interpretation of sequence of sedimentation in adjoining area.
- Drainage patterns – Reconstruction of evolutionary history.
- Radio-Carbon Dating – but can’t be applied for surfaces formed before evolution of organic life or where fossils have been destroyed
Land use/Land Cover and soil types influence forage quantity and quality in semi-arid regions of the world. Discuss with relevant examples.
Why the question was asked-
Planning of Sahel in news following a seminar in kampala university
Scope
Very Marks fetching
Approach
Needs Scholarly approach
Problems faced
Comprehension of the topic and material
Source Book
Biosphere, A geography of Life-K. Siddhartha
Web Source: Click Here
Forage is a plant material (mainly plant leaves and stems) eaten by grazing livestock. It is also used more loosely to include similar plants cut for fodder and carried to the animals, especially as hay or silage.
The term forage crop is used to define crops, annual or biennial, which are grown to be utilized by grazing or harvesting as a whole crop. It includes Edible parts of plants, other than separated grain, that can provide feed for grazing animals, or that can be harvested for feeding. Includes browse, herbage, and mast.
The Quality of forage is determined by Forage Nutritional Content, which in turn is determined by
Digestibility
The nutritional status of a forage crop depends upon the concentration (and ratios) of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids.
Palatability
Protein
Nitrogen (N) availability to animals is predominantly from forage proteins and are estimated using crude total protein measurements.
Lipids
Lipids in forage crops are mostly found as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the range of 10 – 30 g kg-1 of which the most abundant is α-linolenic acid [62% total lipids with linolenic and palmitic acid also being present These dietary lipids are important in final animal product quality; forage diets with lower PUFA levels than cereal diets can produce leaner meat
Trace Elements
Minerals and trace elements from forages are important for maintaining livestock health. As there is a move toward using fewer antibiotics in animal production the nutritional balance of feed takes on additional importance.
Biomass Production
Probably the most important trait of any forage crop is rapid biomass production, as crops are either cut or grazed directly, and nutritional quality depends on the rate of biomass production.
ROLE OF LAND USE, LAND COVER & SOIL TYPES
Soil properties still contribute to the widely recognized resilience of semiarid rangelands because they provide a degree of suppleness that prevents any shifts in ecological competitive dominance.
Soil pH of 7.5-8.5 supports good crop growth, as the crop is grown under rainfed conditions it is important that soil must have good water holding capacity, with proper drainage system to avoid waterlogging conditions. Seed rate and sowing time: About 50-60 kg seed would be needed to sow one hectare.
Land use/cover changes had significant influence on physical and chemical soil properties leading to land degradation. Research on soil properties changes due to land use/cover management is critical to understanding land degradation processes, sustainable use and resource dynamics in semiarid areas. Semiarid resource dynamics, in particular, forage and water, are critical in sustaining pastoral and agro pastoral livelihoods as they directly influence livestock production, a key food security holding
Legumes have been observed to grow in sandy to clay soils with a better performance in medium textured soils. In contrast, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and soil pH was identified as four primary soil components important in forage production.
A high positive correlation between nitrogen and biomass production showed in Ethiopia. Moreover, the abundance, species composition, and nutrient content of vegetation are influenced by changes in concentration of cations and nutrient availability in soils.
A positive relationship has been established between increased nitrogen and above- ground forage quantity in various parts of Africa. The influence of nitrogen on herbaceous biomass arises from the N fertilization that often leads to increased net primary production (shoot biomass) and thicker stands
Discuss the human response to and management of hazards and disasters in India.
Why the question was asked-
Planning of Sahel in news following a seminar in kampala university
Scope
Very Marks fetching
Approach
Needs Scholarly approach
Problems faced
Comprehension of the topic and material
Source Book
Disaster Management-K. Siddhartha
Web Source: Click Here
The human response to hazards are not institutional, not Government and not a policy response. The response comprises of four stages, Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery.
Mitigation
Mitigation is the measures put in place to minimize the results from a disaster. Examples: building codes and zoning; vulnerability analyses; public education.
Preparedness
Preparedness comprises the planning as how to respond during a disaster. Examples: preparedness plans; emergency exercises/training; warning systems.
Response
Response is the initial actions taken as the event takes place. It involves efforts to minimize damage created by a disaster for examples: evacuation, search and rescue, emergency relief etc.
Disaster Response
Disaster Response Activities
- Warning
- Evacuation and Migration
- Search and Rescue (SAR)
- Post-disaster assessment
- Response and relief
- Logistics and supply
- Communication and information management
- Survivor response and coping
- Security
- Emergency operations management
- Rehabilitation
- Reconstruction
Recovery
Recovery involves bringing the community back to its normal course of life. This involves temporary housing facility, medical aid, grants etc.
Class of adjustments
Affect the cause
Modify the hazard
Modify loss potential
Adjustment to losses (Various Ways)
Spread the losses
Plan for losses
Bear the losses
