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Arid And Semi-Arid Lands Question Paper

Arid And Semi-Arid Lands

Course:Bachelor Of Arts In Geography

Institution: Kenyatta University question papers

Exam Year:2009

KENYATTA UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS 2008/2009
SECOND SEMESTER EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE EDUCATION AND
BACHELOR OF ARTS BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
AGE 308: ARID AND SEMI ? ARID LANDS

DATE: Monday 30th
April,
2009

TIME:
11.00-1.00pm

INSTRUCTIONS:
Answer THREE Questions. Illustrations should be used where appropriate.

Q1.
Explain how the following influence aridity:
a)
Cold ocean currents. [8 Marks]
b)
The rain shadow effect. [8 Marks]
c)
Continentality [7 1/3Marks]
Q2.
Examine the major differences between the climate of the following arid lands:
a)
Hot deserts and cold winter deserts. [12 Marks]
b)
Semi-arid and hyper-arid locations. [11 1/3Marks]
Q3.
Discuss the main water resources that are available within arid areas and the degree to which they can be regarded as sustainable. [231/3Marks]
Q4.
Explain how the climatic, edaphic, human and geomorphic factors have an impact on the desert ecosystem. [23 1/3Marks]
Q5.
(a)
Explain the differences between the terms drought, desertification and desiccation. [11 1/3Marks]
(b)
Examine the main ways in which human action can lead to degradation in arid lands. [12 Marks]
Q6.
With reference to specific regions and countries, evaluate how successful people have been in overcoming the difficulties presented by arid environments. [231/3Marks]