A new road is built through a tropical forest. Trees along the road route are felled. The trunks are removed for timber, but the roots and branches are left on the ground.
Scientists estimate the movement of carbon dioxide in this area before and during the first year after the trees are felled.
| Situation | Carbon dioxide released in tonnes per year | Carbon dioxide removed in tonnes per year |
|---|---|---|
| Before the trees are felled | 650 | 1100 |
| First year after the trees are felled | 2300 | 260 |
Calculate the increase in the net mass of carbon dioxide added to the atmosphere during the first year after the trees are felled.
Give your answer in tonnes.
Explain why the mass of carbon dioxide released increased and the mass of carbon dioxide removed decreased after the trees were felled.
84 exam-style questions on AQA GCSE Biology 7.3 Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems, covering 7.3.1 Biodiversity, 7.3.2 Waste management, 7.3.3 Land use, 7.3.4 Deforestation, 7.3.5 Global warming, and 7.3.6 Maintaining biodiversity. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.