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geography igcse > fragile environments > Flashcards

fragile environments Flashcards

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1
Q

what is a fragile environment

A

environment that is vulnerable / sensitive to change and may find it difficult to recover from natural or human-induced changes

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2
Q

what is an ecosystem

A

where a community of plants and animals interact with each other and their physical environments

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3
Q

what are biomes

A

large ecological areas defined by abiotic factors such as climate, relief, soils vegetation

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4
Q

local factors that influence distribution of ecosystems

A
  • altitude (higher=colder=less vegetation)
  • climate: rainfall, light intensity,
  • soil types: rich or low in nutrition, acidity
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5
Q

characteristics of world’s fragile environments

A

natural events eg volcanic eruptions, tropical storms
many human induced events eg deforestation, intensive agriculture, urbanisation

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6
Q

reasons for fragile environments in tropical rainforests

A
  • deforestation
  • infertile soil, leach nutrients out of soil
  • vulnerable to climate change
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7
Q

reasons for fragile environments in coral reefs

A
  • pollution
  • tourism
  • vulnerable to warming oceans
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8
Q

reasons for fragile environments in arid and semi-arid environments

A
  • lack of moisture, rainfall -> regeneration slowed down
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9
Q

reasons for fragile environments in tundra and alpine environments

A
  • low temp so regeneration is limited
  • vulnerable to climate change eg warming
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10
Q

three processes that influence global distribution of fragile environments

A
  • deforestation
  • desertification
  • climate change
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11
Q

5 impacts of desertification

A
  • soil degradation
  • less agricultural output
  • malnutrition, famine and starvation
  • ## migration and conflict
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12
Q

what is desertification

A

the spread of desert like conditions to previously productive regions

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13
Q

natural causes of desertification

A
  • changing rainfall pattern
  • intensity of rainfall
  • soil erosion, leaving bare soil
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14
Q

human causes of desertification

A
  • population increase
  • agriculture, over grazing and cultivating
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15
Q

management of desertification

A
  • education
  • water conservation : recycle water, desalination, harvesting storm water (developed countries)
  • use of fertilisers
  • alternative farming techniques
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16
Q

agriculture methods to reduce desertification

A
  • magic stones (rows of stones on slope)
  • agroforestry
  • drip irrigation
    -water spreading weir
17
Q

causes of desertification in sahel

A
  • climate change
  • population increase
  • deforestation
  • overcultivation and overgrazing
18
Q

impacts of desertification in sahel

A
  • migration and conflict
  • lack of agricultural output > food insecurity > death of animals and people
  • lose farmland on a large scale
19
Q

management strategies in sahelt

A
  • small stone walls
  • reforestation (the great green wall)
20
Q

what is deforestation

A

cutting down of trees

21
Q

main resource exploiting activities in the Amazon

A
  • mineral extraction
  • logging
  • energy development
  • illegal trade in wildlife
22
Q

impacts of deforestation in tropical rainforests

A
  • global warming, climate change
  • loss of biodiversity
  • flooding, disruption to water cycle
  • loss of carbon sink
  • increased wildfires
23
Q

3 impacts of climate change

A
  1. rise of sea levels
  2. more hazards
  3. ecosystem changes
24
Q

3 impacts of rising sea levels

A
  • coastal flooding, drowning cities
  • contaminated drinking water
  • more hazards
25
Q

ecosystem changes from climate change

A

push world bioes towards the poles
allow more exploitation of resources

26
Q

sustainable management of tropical rainforests

A
  • replanting
  • agroforestry
  • international agreements, policies and restrictions to limit development
  • alternative energy supplies
27
Q

define sustainability

A

meeting needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations

28
Q

define sustainable management

A

use of resources in a way where future gens will still be able to use the same resources

29
Q

why do people develop into the Amazon rainforest?

A

need for agriculture
commercial timber extraction, though illegal
settlement
energy development
mining
transport eg road links

30
Q

responses to climate change

A
  • global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
  • protect and conserve forests
  • identify environments/coastal areas at risk then take action
31
Q

international agreements to fight climate change

A

United Nation Climate Change Conference
UNFCCC - Paris Agreement

geography igcse (5 decks)

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