Rivers

Question 1

Describe the formation of a V-shaped valley

Answer 1

A river in the upper course flows downhill, eroding the landscape vertically, deepening the base of the river [hydraulic action and abrasion]
The sides of the valley are exposed to weathering. This loosens the rocks which fall into the river, making the sides steeper, and assisting with abrasion.
The river deepens quicker than it widens, creating a V-shaped valley where the river winds through ’interlocking spurs’

Question 2

What is the source of a river?

Answer 2

The start of a river

Question 3

What is the mouth of a river?

Answer 3

The point where the river discharges into the sea

Question 4

What is the course of a river?

Answer 4

The path that a river follows from source to mouth

Question 5

What is the discharge of a river?

Answer 5

The volume of water moving down a river.

Question 6

What is a tributary?

Answer 6

Small rivers that join a larger river

Question 7

What is a confluence?

Answer 7

The point where a tributary meets the river.

Question 8

What are the 4 methods of erosion?

Answer 8

Abrasion, Hydraulic Action, Attrition and Corrosion/Solution

Question 9

Describe the formation of a waterfall.

Answer 9

When a river flows over bands of hard and soft rock, the soft rock is less resistant and so gets eroded quicker. This differential erosion is done by abrasion/hydraulic action. This makes a ledge which the water flows down.
The hard rock is ‘undercut’ by the erosion of the soft rock, creating a plunge pool with overhanging hard rock.
The overhanging hard rock collapses due to gravity, assisting with abrasion, which deepens the plunge pool. This process repeats, causing the waterfall to retreat upstream.

Question 10

What is abrasion?

Answer 10

When the banks and bed of the river are worn down by the rivers load. Material in the river hits against the bed and banks, causing it to be worn away like sandpaper.

Question 11

What is hydraulic action?

Answer 11

The sheer force of the river water forces itself into cracks in the rock, breaking off small pieces.

Question 12

What is Attrition?

Answer 12

When material carried by the river collide, and as they bump, they become smaller and smoother.

Question 13

What two features are in the upper course?

Answer 13

V-shaped valley, waterfall

Question 14

What are the 3 features in the middle course?

Answer 14

Meander, Ox-bow lake, Levee

Question 15

Explain the formation of a meander

Answer 15

In the middle course, the land is flatter, so the river can flow side to side. This causes parts of the river to have faster water flow than others. Th river is fastest on the outside bend where the water is deepest, whereas the river is slowest on the inside bend where the water is shallower. On the outside bend, where the water is fastest, the river has lots of energy to erode, forming a river cliff. In the shallower parts of the river, where the water flows more slowly, the river has little energy and so deposits some material, forming a river beach. The river continues to erode sideways rather than vertically, and, over time this process of erosion and deposition widens the meander.

Question 16

Explain the formation of an Ox-Bow Lake.

Answer 16

The river flows fastest on the outside bend of a meander, causing erosion [explain abrasion and hydraulic action]. The river flows slower on the inside bend, so material is deposited. This makes the neck of the meander tighter.
During a flood, there is more water in the river, giving it more energy to break through the narrow meander neck. The river bypasses the meander and follows the new, straight change instead.
The straight river is fastest in the centre, so it deposits material at its banks.
This eventually seals off the meander to become an Ox-Bow lake. Over time, the Ox-Bow lake turns to marsh and begins to dry out due to lack of water.

Question 17

Where is a suitable place for forestry?

Answer 17

Steep Hills

Question 18

Why is forestry located on steep hills?

Answer 18

Trees can survive in thin soil and steep hills found on the sides of V-shaped valleys. Forestry therefore uses land with few other profitable uses. Nearby villages can provide workers for maintenance or tree felling.

Question 19

Which type of farming is suitable on hills?

Answer 19

Hill-sheep farming

Question 20

Why is Hill-sheep farming suitable on hills?

Answer 20

It is due to the fact that they are sure-footed, meaning they can stay stable in steep land. They also have thick wool which protects them from the severe weather conditions like wind and rain that are found higher up, allowing them to thrive in these conditions. They also do not need to be looked after, meaning hills will not affect the farmers.

Question 21

What type of farming requires flat land?

Answer 21

Arable farming

Question 22

Why is arable farming only suitable on the flat land of the lower course?

Answer 22

The soil is thick and nutritious, allowing crops to grow. The land in the lower course is flatter, allowing access to machinery.

Question 23

Why are rivers suitable for tourism?

Answer 23

White water rafting takes place on the fast-flowing water on the upper course, making it suitable for adventure tourists, and the lower course is suitable for fishing.
Picnic sites and local historic attractions can also be found in the land around the river.
Tourists can stay at hotels, B&B’s, and campsites when visiting the area.

Question 24

Why is the upper course suitable for renewable energy?

Answer 24

Wind turbines are built in the upper course because the high land is exposed to wind, generating more energy.
Rivers are good for hydroelectric power, as it has V-shaped valleys that allow dams to be built. The upper section has fast flowing water and more rainfall, producing more electricity.

Question 25

What are the 4 land use conflicts between Tourists and Farmers

Answer 25

Dogs off leads, Traffic congestion, Littering and Farm gates

Question 26

Explain the land use conflict of dogs off leads, and the solution.

Answer 26

Dogs can ‘worry’ sheep, causing death or distress to animals.
Farmers will lose income as they have less livestock to sell, and are left with vet bills.
Solutions are to educate dog walkers of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code through signage, or fines of up to £40,000 can be issued.

Question 27

Explain the land use conflict of traffic congestion, and the ways to solve it.

Answer 27

Tractors can slow tourist traffic down.
Increased traffic and parked cars on narrow roads can limit farm vehicles.

Solutions include: promoting bicycle routes and public transport.
Building passing places means that farm vehicles can pull in more often to let tourists to pass.

Question 28

Explain the land use conflict of Littering, including the solutions.

Answer 28

Litter dropped by tourists spoils the landscape and can cause injury to the animals who eat it.
Removing litter bins and placing signs encourages people to take their litter home.

Question 29

Explain the land use conflict of Farm gates, including the solutions.

Answer 29

Walkers often leave gates open leading to a loss of livestock.
It can cause injury to animals and to tourists.

Solutions:
Kissing gates are a special kind of gate which swings closed behind you, meaning animals cannot escape as the gates cannot be left open.

Question 30

What are the 2 land use conflicts between Tourists and Forestry?

Answer 30

Campfires and Logging

Question 31

Explain the land use conflict of campfires, with solutions.

Answer 31

Tourist may camp and light campfires in forests. These can cause fires which may destroy large areas of woodland.

Designated campsites, such as around Loch Earn, limit the chances of fires spreading. Also, the camping management zone around Loch Earn means that camping outside designated campsites (in summer) requires a permit.

Question 32

Explain the land use conflict of logging, including solutions.

Answer 32

When forests are cut down, a visible scar is left on the landscape, spoiling its natural beauty. This also harms wildlife habitats and logging trucks can cause traffic congestion.
A ‘buffer zone’ of trees planted around the edges of forests screens them from view, and provides further habitat for displaced wildlife.

Question 33

What are the 2 Land Use Conflicts between Tourists and Energy?

Answer 33

Noise and Ruined Scenery from Wind Turbines.

Question 34

Explain the land use conflict of the noise of wind turbines, including solutions.

Answer 34

Wind turbines may destroy the character of the area and may detract from quiet activities such as bird watching. Noisy turbines also affect peace and quiet in local villages.
Constructing turbines in secluded areas out of sight of popular settlements and attractions.

Question 35

Explain the land use conflict of Turbines spoiling views, with solutions.

Answer 35

Wind turbines at the top of hills can be visible from many directions, destroying views and scenery. Tourists may therefore find the area less appealing, which can reduce visitor numbers. This could put jobs in tourism at risk, such as in local cafes.
Reducing the number and size of wind turbines, such as at Calliachar, can reduce their impact on tourism.