Outdoor and Environmental Studies Unit 3 Sac 4
Test
/50 Name_____________________
Question 1:
a Describe the following terms (2 marks, 1 mark, 1 mark)
The greenhouse effect
Global warming
Climate change
b Describe 5 ecological impacts of global warming that scientists are currently measuring (5 marks)
1
2
3
4
5
Al Gores current thinking on the climate crisis
c Analyse how two opposing discourses (arguments) on this environmental issue could influence
contemporary societal relationships with outdoor environments.2 x 2 marks)
The scientific data is evidence that human carbon emissions have contributed to climate change:
Climate change is a hoax, weather patterns involve natural changes:
Question 2
Lake Eildon in drought
Lake Eildon
Goulburn River
Irrigation channel at shepparton
1.
2.
Automated gates
The capacity of Lake Eildon has been designed to allow for irrigation supplies to be provided over at least
two drought seasons.
Although not intended as a flood control storage, Lake Eildon does have considerable potential to mitigate
floods in the Goulburn River, downstream of the storage.
Operation of the power station during the irrigation season (August to May) is governed mainly by release of
water to meet irrigation demands, but it may also be operated during winter and spring when flood releases can
be used to generate electricity. The power station can also be used to meet short term emergency power needs
resulting from industrial disputes or plant breakdown elsewhere in the State's power grid
North-South Pipeline
The North-South Pipeline, formerly known as Sugarloaf Pipeline, is a 70 kilometre pipe that can carry water
from the Goulburn River to Melbourne’s storages at Sugarloaf Reservoir.
The Victorian Government has ruled that the water stored in Lake Eildon for Melbourne can only be used in
times of critical human need. This occurs when Melbourne’s total water storage levels are below 30% of
capacity at 30 November of any year.
The Lake Eildon allocation is known as Melbourne’s ‘critical water reserve’, and is not included in our total
water storage figure
a. Using the information provided above Outline two key arguments regarding the role that humans have
played in this selected environmental discourse. 2 marks
b. Analyse how the selected environmental discourse can influence contemporary societal relationships
with outdoor environments. 4 marks
Question 3
“An Environmental Watering Plan for the Murray-Darling Basin
The goal of environmental watering is to rejuvenate, protect and nourish the Basin's rivers, wetlands, flood
plains, lakes and red gum forests, together with plants and animals that depend on these ecosystems.
Commonwealth, state and territory governments all accept that in the past too much water has been extracted
from the Murray-Darling Basin to supply irrigators, town water supplies and industry, causing widespread
environmental degradation.
The Basin Plan will return water to the Basin's rivers; the Environmental Watering Plan provides the
framework to put that water to the best environmental use.”
a. Using the information provided above Outline two key arguments regarding the role that humans have
played in this selected environmental discourse. 2 marks
b. Analyse how the selected environmental discourse can influence contemporary societal relationships
with outdoor environments. 4 marks
Question 4
Desalination complements our catchments by providing a secure, rainfall-independent source of water for
Melbourne.
The Victorian Desalination Plant is capable of supplying up to 150 billion litres of high quality drinking water
each year. It removes salts and minerals from seawater by passing it through reverse osmosis membranes.
The plant was built for the Victorian Government and completed all its performance testing in 2012.
When the plant is in operation, desalinated water will flow through an 84 kilometre transfer pipeline from
Wonthaggi to Berwick. At Berwick it joins our water supply network and flows on to Cardinia Reservoir,
where it mixes with water from the catchments. From there it can be transferred to Silvan Reservoir and on to
most parts of Melbourne
a. Using the information provided above, outline two key arguments regarding the role that humans have
played in this selected environmental discourse. 2 marks
b. Analyse how the selected environmental discourse can influence contemporary societal relationships
with outdoor environments. 4 marks
Question 5
Biosecurity laws 'outdated'
“Biodiversity laws are out dated, and not consistent, nor do they
reflect operational best practice current at the time.”
“Our
clean, green image, our reputation for producing
quality food and fibre around the world absolutely
relies on our biosecurity status”
Our Farmers Need Help To Feed World Herald Sun 14/03/2013
“While production levels have lifted in the past two years, farm returns have been hit by the dollar, bushfires,
bacterial infestations and floods.
Yet, due to Australian farmers' efficiency and resilience, it is encouraging to see our production and export
figures remain strong. Our farmers still produce high-quality products the world wants, while looking after
landscapes the whole community enjoys.
a Describe the contemporary societal relationships of primary industry farmers with outdoor environments. (1
mark)
b Explain what is meant by biosecurity (1 mark)
c Identify five important biosecurity measures that a farmer can do to ensure a disease free farm. (5 marks)
d How can effective biosecurity protect “high-quality products” grown in Australia (1 mark)
e Explain three reasons why biosecurity is a major issue discussed by contemporary Australians (3 marks)
Question 6
“Australia boasts an enviable international reputation for the
quality and safety of the food produced on local farms. It is a
key plank in marketing the export of Australian produce.
While international food consumers lap up that 'clean and
green' offer, Australian consumers are a little less eager, with
many opting for the cheaper price tag on imported food when
filling the supermarket trolley.
Australian farmers are considered some of the most efficient
in the world, but the competition to compete with cheaper
food production systems overseas is forcing Australian
farmers to reassess”
Biosecurity authorities and law makers must support very strict rules on imports thus impose
conservative restrictions on importing food produce to Australia. (Introduced species, weeds and disease
are more likely than ever to land on our shores due to globalisation and increased transport of visitors,
food and other goods. This has the opportunity to devastate many of our disease free farms and damage
our reputation for high quality export food.)
Opposing discourse: Australians are a multicultural group and expect ease of access to their many and
varied cultural foods, many of which are only available as import. Can we continue to be so conservative
with imports with food shortage.
Analyse how two opposing discourses on this environmental issue could influence contemporary societal
relationships with outdoor environments. (8 marks)