Geography Yearly Exam Flashcards
What are landscapes?
the physical elements of the earth’s surface and the human activity that is part of it
What are landforms?
the natural features of the earth’s surface
What is a managed environment?
human- altered landscape dominated by natural features. eg, farms.
What is a constructed environment?
a fully human-designed space, created for specific functions
What is a biophysical environment?
natural environment formed by ecological processes
What is weathering?
the chemical or physical breakdown of rock into smaller pieces that do not undergo transport
What is erosion?
the transporting of material that has been weathered (from one place to another_
What is deposition?
the process by which eroded material is added to a landscape
How do Indigenous cultures value the land differently?
- View it as something living and sacred.
- Believe the land is deeply connected to their identity.
- Instead of using it for profit or resources, they focus on taking care of it.
- Their relationship, give and take.
What is a sacred site?
places within a landscape that holds a special spiritual and cultural significance for a particual person or group.
What is a spit?
an extended stretch of beach material extending into water. they are formed when prevailing wind blows at an angle to the coastline (longshore drift)
What is a tombolo?
a sand or shingle ridge connecting an island to the mainland
What is a lagoon?
shallow coastal bodies of water near a sea or ocean, seperated by a series of barrier islands.
How are coastal landorms formed?
by waves, tides and currents that erode and depostit materials along the shoreline, forming features like, cliffs, beaches and sand dunes.
What is longshore drift?
where waves hit the shore at an angle, carryiing sand and other materials sideways along the coast. as waves wash up and recede they move sediament in a zig-zag pattern, gradually transporting it down the beach.
Why do waves break?
when friction slows their base in shallow water, casusing the top to collapse forward.
How can humans alter landscapes (examples)?
Agriculture, Transport, Mining, Forestry
What is an urban landscpae made up of?
buildings, roads, parks
How do humans impact landscapes?
Urbanisation, agriculture and deforestation, lead to habitat loss biodiversity decline, and changes in natural processes. pollution also degrades air, water and soil quality.
What is land degradation?
the decline in land quality and productivity due to human activities or natural processes. resulting in soil erosion, loss of vegetation.
What is a National park?
a protected area for conserving nature and wildlife
Prohibited activites include…
hunting, littering and logging
how does a place become world-heritage listed?
when it’s nominated by its country, evaluated by UNESCO experts and meets the criteria of outstanding cultural or natural value.
Why is the Grand Canyon on the World Heritage List?
exceptional natural beauty, geological significance, and rich biodiversity
