Land Cover Change Flashcards
The disappearance of which sea is one of the most dramatic examples of land cover change?
Aral Sea. Huge salt plains have been left behind from the Aral Sea which are covered in toxic chemicals. The spreading of these chemicals is affecting the health of people nearby.
What is subsistence farming?
Farming to feed yourself and your family. These are not suitable as population increases. Commercialisation of farming has led to more cash crops, such as palm oil, often at the expense of food crops and rainforest biomes.
What dictates the location of urban settlements?
Resources, accessibility, religion, defence, government and cultural values.
How does world population growth affect land cover change.
The spread, distribution and increase in population density are important drivers of land cover change. The worlds urban population is growing by 60mil a year.
How do economics influence land cover change?
How we use natural resources to meet our needs and wants illustrates the link between economics, biomes and land cover change. Improved farm efficiency can produce more food on smaller areas of land.
How does technology affect land cover change?
Positive- develop more sustainable practices, reducing water requirements, bulk goods carried by ships.
Negative- fumes and greenhouse gases, extension of transport into previously isolated areas.
