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Earth Systems and Life

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Earth Systems and Life

A building site beside a stream is being checked before work begins. Use the evidence on this sheet to explain how Earth’s systems connect and how those connections support life. Answer in full sentences where asked.

Identify the systems

Earth’s systems overlap and interact. Atmosphere = air; hydrosphere = water; geosphere = solid Earth, including rocks and soil; biosphere = living things.

1.Ana notices rain falling onto exposed soil. It carries loose soil into the stream. Name the two Earth systems directly interacting in this movement, then name the system the rain came from.

2.Zoe spots a tui drinking from the stream and feeding on nectar from a nearby plant. Which statement best describes this?

Only the biosphere is involved because both examples include living things.
The biosphere connects with the hydrosphere and with other parts of the biosphere.
The geosphere is the only system involved because plants grow in soil.
Earth’s systems do not interact in this example.

Follow the evidence

A site team recorded these observations after a heavy shower.

Stage

Observation

Possible cause

Before rain

Stream water clear; bare soil on the slope.

No rain-driven soil runoff observed.

After rain

Stream water cloudy; fine soil visible at the bank.

Rainwater flowed over exposed ground, carrying eroded soil into the stream.

3.Use the observations above. Explain how rain could make the stream cloudy. Include the names of at least two Earth systems in your explanation.

4.Which pair of site changes would best reduce loose soil washing into the stream?

Cover bare soil and put erosion-control barriers along the slope.
Remove plants beside the stream and make the slope steeper.
Direct more runoff towards the stream.
Leave the soil bare so rain can soak in quickly.

5.If fine soil settles over the stream bed, predict one possible effect on a living thing in or near the stream. Explain the link.

Trace a chain of connections

A change in one Earth system can have knock-on effects in others. Show your reasoning using the building-site scenario.

6.Complete this cause-and-effect chain: heavy rain → runoff across bare ground → → stream habitat may change. Write what belongs in the gap.

7.True or false? The same material can move between Earth systems—for example, water can move from the atmosphere to the land and then into a stream.

TrueFalse

8.Anahera says, “If the water is clean, the stream’s living things will always be safe.” Give one reason this claim is too simple.

9.Choose one possible impact of removing plants from the stream bank, then explain a chain of at least two connected effects.

10.Write a short recommendation to the building team. Name one action they should take and explain how it protects a connection between Earth systems and life.