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AQA Geography > Living World (Hot Deserts) > Flashcards

Living World (Hot Deserts) Flashcards

1
Q

Define mineral extraction

A

removal of solid mineral resources from earth

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2
Q

What is included in mineral extraction?

A

ores
fuels - coal / oil
precious stones

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3
Q

Define hot desert

A

high temperatures
low precipitations

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4
Q

Define desertification

A

land becomes drier and degraded, due to climate change or human activities

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5
Q

Define biodiversity

A

variety of life in world or particular habitat

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6
Q

Define overgrazing

A

grazing too many livestock for too long

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7
Q

What affect does overgrazing have?

A

vegetation unable to recover

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8
Q

Define overcultivation

A

exhausting soil by over cropping land

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9
Q

Define appropriate technology

A

suited to needs of local people

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10
Q

Define aridity

A

state of being extremely dry

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11
Q

Define diurnal temperature

A

maximum and minimum in one day

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12
Q

Define irrigated

A

artificially watering of soil - applying controlled amount to land

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13
Q

Define xerotypes

A

plants that can survive in arid conditions

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14
Q

Define carrying capacity

A

maximum number of people an area of land can support before environmental damage occurs

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15
Q

Define water security

A

reliable availability of water for people to live off

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16
Q

Where are deserts found?

A

Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer

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17
Q

How can deserts be characterized?

A

high pressure systems and hot conditions, less than 250mm of rain

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18
Q

Give examples of deserts

A

Sahara
Atacama
Namib

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19
Q

What is desert soil like?

A

sandy
stony
dry
little organic matter
shallow
infertile

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20
Q

Describe the location of deserts

A

found between 20 and 30 degrees north and south of equator

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21
Q

Describe key characteristics of soils in hot desert

A

sandy, rocky soils about 1m deep
lacking organic material

22
Q

Why do soils in desert have white powder on surface?

A

salts drawn to surface by evaporation

23
Q

What is the definition of a desert?

A

an area receiving less than 250mm rain annually

24
Q

Why do deserts have high diurnal temperature range?

A

no cloud cover that covers sun or retains heat over night

25
Q

Why do deserts occur where they do?

A

sinking air means few clouds

26
Q

What do plants rely on from soil?

A

nutrients

27
Q

What does soil rely on from plants?

A

provide shade
intercept precipitation
nutrients from dead vegetation

28
Q

How can humans positively impact interdependence in deserts?

A

sustainable land management
wilding
afforestation
underground areas

29
Q

How can humans negatively impact interdependence in deserts?

A

urbanisation
deforesting
footpath erosion

30
Q

How are xerophytes adapted to arid conditions?

A

shedding leaves and waxy cuticles to reduce transpiration

31
Q

How are xerophytes adapted to high temperatures?

A

biomass below surface - cooler

32
Q

How are xerophytes adapted to short periods of rain?

A

bloom suddenly after rainfall to complete life cycle quickly

33
Q

How are desert yellow daisies adapted to dry conditions and high tempteratures?

A

small linear leaves of needles
waxy cuticle
- reduces evapotranspiration

34
Q

How are prickly pear cacti adapted to dry conditions and competition for nutrients?

A

shallow roots over large area or tap roots
- make most of sudden rainfall

35
Q

What are tap roots?

A

run deep in search of water up to 25m

36
Q

How are saguaro cacti adapted to dry conditions, high temperatures and competition for nutrients?

A
  • grows slowly to conserve energy
  • store 9 tonnes of water
  • vertical pleats - water storage
  • lose 82% of water before dying
37
Q

Where are Western Kangaroos found?

A

Western desert

38
Q

How are Western Kangaroos adapted for desert?

A

oily skin / don’t sweat
little urine
live in burrows in day
get water from food

39
Q

Where are Peringuey Adders found?

A

Namib desert

40
Q

How are Peringuey adders adapted to desert?

A

move sideways
- 50% of body in contact with sand

41
Q

Where are fennec foxes found?

A

Sahara

42
Q

How do the fennec foxes ears help them in desert?

A

dissipates excess body heat

43
Q

How do fennec foxes kidneys help them in desert?

A

restrict water loss
- form dew by burrowing also

44
Q

How do fennec foxes thick fur help them in desert?

A

insulation in cold nights
reflects heat
camouflage

45
Q

How do fennec foxes thick fur on soles help them in desert?

A

traction on sand
insulation against sand

46
Q

Where are camels found?

A

Gobi and Sahara

47
Q

How are camels adapted to desert?

A

week without water
months without food

48
Q

What and why do camels store?

A

store fat
metabolised for energy

49
Q

What fluctuates in camels’ bodies?

A

body temperature
- conserve water
- not sweating

50
Q

How do camels’ wide feet help them in the desert?

A

walk on sand without sinking

51
Q

How do camels’ thick lips help them in the desert?

A

eat prickly plants without pain

52
Q

How do camels’ hairy ears help them in the desert?

A

hair keeps sand out of ears

AQA Geography (12 decks)

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