GEOGRAPHY UNIT 3 VOCABULARY Flashcards
Climate
The long-term patterns of temperature, humidity, wind and precipitation in a particular region.
Precipitation
Any form of water that falls from the Earth’s atmosphere to the surface.
Weather
The atmospheric conditions and short-term variations in a specific location at a particular point in time.
Air masses
Large bodies of air with relatively uniform temperature, humidity and pressure as defined by their source regions.
Ocean circulation
The large-scale movement of water within the Earth’s oceans, which distributes heat.
Monsoon
A seasonal wind pattern that brings a distinct change in weather conditions, particularly in terms of precipitation.
Front
The boundary between two air masses with different characteristics.
Orographic Rainfall
Occurs when moist air is lifted as it encounters a mountain.
Convectional Rainfall
A type of precipitation that occurs as a result of convective - or heat release - activity in the atmosphere.
Frontal Rainfall
A type of rainfall that occurs when two air masses with different temperatures and moisture content meet along a front.
Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)
A belt of low pressure that encircles the Earth near the equator.
Polar front jet stream
A fast-flowing, narrow air current in the lower atmosphere.
Rossby Waves
Large-scale waves that occur in the Earth’s atmosphere
Mid-latitude depressions
A weather system characterised by a low-pressure centre with anti-clockwise circulation in the northern hemisphere and clockwise rotation in the southern hemisphere. It brings varied weather, including precipitation and storms.
Dissipation
The gradual weakening or decay of a weather system.
Occluded front
A weather boundary where a faster-moving cold front overtakes a slower-moving warm front, lifting the warm air.
Anticyclone
A high-pressure area generally leading to fair-weather conditions
Tropical Cyclone
A powerful, rotating storm system with a low-pressure centre, strong winds and heavy rain. It forms over warm ocean waters and can intensify to create a significant natural hazard.
Storm surges
A rapid and significant rise in sea level during a storm, particularly a tropical cyclone, causing coastal flooding.
Biodiversity
It encompasses the diversity of species, genetic diversity within species and ecosystems.
Ecosystem
A complex and interconnected community of living organisms, theri physical environment and the ecological processes that sustain life.
Ecoystem Diversity
The varietyof ecosystems within a particular geographic area, contributing to the overall biodiversity of a region.
Genetic Diversity
The variety of genes within a population or species. It includes the potential for adaptation to environmental changes, contributing to biodiversity.
Nutrient Cycling
The process in which essential elements like carbon move through living organisms, the soil and the atmosphere. This maintains a balanced and sustainable flow within ecosystems.
Species Diversity
The variety of different species in a specific ecosystem.
Biodiversity Hotspot
A region with exceptionally high species diversity that face significant threats.
Endemism
Where a species is restricted to a specific geographic area and is found nowhere else in the world.
Primary Production
The synthesis of organic compounds, mainly through photosynthesis by plants and certain types of algae and bacteria.
Primary Consumers
Herbivores that directly feed on primary producers. They occupt the second trophic level in food chain, transferring energy from producers to higher trophic levels.
Primary Producers
Organisms, mainly plants which are capable of photosynthesis. They form on the base of food chains, sypporting ecosystems.
Secondary Consumers
Carnivores or omnivores that feed on primary consumers. They obtain energy from consuming herbivores or other secondary consumers.
Alien Species
Organisms introduced to an ecosystem outside their natural habitat, often casuing ecological harm by outcompeting native species.
Immigrant Species
Non-native species that establish opulations outside their native habitats due to human activity.
Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC)
A theory suggesting that environmental degradation initially increases with economic growth but eventually decreases as wealth and technology enables environmental protection.
Keystone Species
Species that play a vital role in ecosystems, exerting a disproportionate influence on biodiversity and ecosystem structure.
Iconic Species
Culturally significant organisms often symbolising conservation efforts.
Sustainable Yield
The maximum rate of resource extraction from an ecosystem that can be maintained indefinitely without compromising ita ability to regenerate.
Total Protection
A conservation approach where specific areas or species received comprehensive safeguards, prohibiting any human activity or intervention to ensure undisturbed preservation.
Ex-situ conservation
The preservation of species outside their natural habitat.
Provisioning Services
Products from ecosystems, such as food, water, and raw materials.
Supporting Services
Essential processes that support other services, like nutrient cycling and habitat provision.
Regulating Services
Ecosystem benefits that regulate natural processes, like climate control and water purification.
Cultural Services
Non-material benefits like recreation, spiritual value, and aesthetic enjoyment.
Fossil Fuels
Natural hydrocarbon resources, including coal, oil and natural gas, formed from ancient organic matter.
Non-renewable Energy
From finite energy sources, such as fossil fuels and nuclear fuels that cannot be rapidly replaced in human timescales.
Recycable Energy
The recovery of energy that would usually be wasted in industrial processes by converting it into electricity or thermal energy.
Renewable Energy
From resources which are naturally replenished, like sunlight, wind and rain.
Primary Energy
Energy that can be extracted from nature without any human modification and that, therefore, can be either renewable or non-renewable.
Secondary Energy
The transformed and usable form of primary energy, resulting from the conversion of raw energy sources into electricity.
Fracking
An extraction method for natural gas and oil. High-pressure fluid is injected into underground rock formations, releasing trapped hydrocarbons.
Energy Security
The assurance of reliable, affordable and sustainable access to energy sources.
Energy Pathway
The route through which energy is transported, including pipelines, shipping, etc. which connects sources of energy production to consumers.
Supermajors
The world’s largest and most influential multinational oil and gas companies.
Carbon Cycle
A natural process where carbon compounds, primarily carbon dioxide, circulate between the atmosphere, ocean, soil and living organisms.
Biofuels
Renewable fuels derived from organic materials like crops.
Carbon Neutral
Achieving a balance between emitting carbon dioxide and removing or offsetting an equivalent amount, resulting in net-zero footprint.
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
Involves trapping and storing carbon dioxide emissions from industrial processes, preventing their release into the atmosphere, mitigating climate change.
Energy Conservation
Using less energy by adopting efficient practices, technologies and behaviours.
Superpower
A nation with unparalleled global influence, possessing exceptional military, economic, technological and political capabilities.
Hard Power
A nation’s ability to influence others through military strength, economic coercion or foreful diplomatic actions.
Regional Power
A nation with significant influence, capabilities and leadership within a specific geographic area.
Soft Power
A nation’s ability to influence others through attraction, persuasion and non-coercive means
Emerging Power
A nation undergoing rapid economic growth and increasing geopolitical influence.
Neo-colonialism
The indirect economic and cultural dominance of a powerful nation over others, maintaining influence through economic policies, multinational corporations and global institutions.
BRICS
A group of major emerging economies - Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa - characterised by their economic/political influence.
World Trade Organisation (WTO)
An international organisation that regulates global trade. It provides a framework for negotating trade agreement and resolving disputes
Free Trade
An economic concept where goods and services can be exchanged between countries without restrictions.
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
A global financial institution that provides financial assistance, economic advice and policy support to member countries.
World Bank
An international financial institution that provides financial assistance aiming to reduce poverty and promote sustainable development.
Middle Class
A socio-economic group within a society, typically characterised by moderate income levels.
Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs):
Refers to maritime zones. Within a EEZ, a nation has sovreign rights over natural resources and economic activities.
Sphere of Influence
An area where a particular country holds significant influence, control or dominance, typically in political, economic or strategic matters.
Intellectual Property (IP)
Legal rights protecting creations of the mind, such as inventions, designs, etc. providing exclusive ownership and usage rights.
Counterfeiting
The unauthorised reproduction or imitation of goods, currency or documents with the intent to deceive or defraud.
Cash crops
Agricultural products cultivated for sale rather than personal consumption.
Economic Restructuring
The process of significant changes in an economy’s organisation often driven by technological advancements, globalisation and shifts in consumers preferences.
