In the northern hemisphere, CO2 concentrations peak in the early spring just before trees produce leaves. CO2 concentrations are lowest at the beginning of fall as leaves begin to die and drop from trees. The southern hemisphere also experiences seasonal changes in CO2 concentrations as it shifts from summer to winter. However, the land mass of the southern hemisphere is much smaller than the northern hemisphere. As a result, the total forested area in the southern hemisphere is significantly smaller than the northern hemisphere. How would the difference between the highest and lowest CO2 concentrations during the spring and fall, respectively, differ in the southern hemisphere given the differences in forest cover?

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The question asks how the difference between the highest and lowest CO2 concentrations during the spring and fall would compare in the southern hemisphere, given its smaller forested area.
Option 1: 'The difference between the highest and lowest CO2 concentrations in the southern hemisphere would be nearly identical to the northern hemisphere. In other words, the seasonal variation in CO2 levels would be the same between the two hemispheres.' This is unlikely because the larger northern hemisphere has more forested area and thus a greater capacity for seasonal CO2 uptake and release. With less forest cover in the southern hemisphere, the magnitude of seasonal CO2 swings should be dampened, not identical.
Option 2: 'The difference between the highest and lowest CO2 concentrations in the southern hemisphere would be greater than in the northern hemisphere. In other words, the seasonal variation in CO2 levels would be higher in the southern hemisphere.' This would require more biological activity or other processes that drive CO2 swings to be stronger in the southern hemisphere, which contradicts the given information that forested land area is smaller there and would generally contribute less seasonal CO2 exchange.
Option 3: 'The difference between the highest and lowest CO2 concentrations in the southern hemisphere would smaller than in the northern hemisphere. In other words, the seasonal variation in CO2 levels would be lower in the southern hemisphere.' This matches the reasoning that with a smaller total forested area, the seasonal uptake and release of CO2 across spring and fall would be reduced, leading to a smaller swing in CO2 concentrations compared to the northern hemisphere.
Overall, the assessment reflects how the extent of forest cover influences the amplitude of seasonal CO2 fluctuations, with the southern hemisphere showing a dampened variation due to its smaller landmass and forest area.

BIOLOGY 1114.01 SP2025 (17927) 1114 Lecture Final exam- Requires Respondus LockDown Browser

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