the physical environment Flashcards

1
Q

what is the most used classification system for the physical environment

A

4 interrelated spheres: lithosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere

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2
Q

what is lithosphere

A

made up of rocks ( igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary )

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3
Q

what is atmosphere

A

are manifested by the earths surface by typical distribution of climate

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4
Q

what is biosphere

A

flora and fauna

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5
Q

what is hydrosphere

A

subdivided by its chemical constituents: fresh water, saline water or by the condition or phase of water so solid, ice, vapour.

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6
Q

what are ecosystems

A

suites of characteristics are combined in a particular areas

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7
Q

how can ecosystems be classified

A

in many ways but one is using the amount of organic matter or biomass produced per year

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8
Q

what are the main factors determining productivity of ecosystems

A

Availability of nutrient, climate and diversity

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9
Q

what does latitudinal gradient mean?

A

mean biogeographic patterns that define the way in which component change

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10
Q

morphoclimatic regions are combination of..

A

vegetation and climate

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11
Q

name 8 morphoclimatic region

A

tundra, desert, the temperate forest, coniferous forest, the tropical rain forest, savanna, temperate grass land, maquis or Mediterranean

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12
Q

what is tundra

A

absence of tree, largely grasses and other herbs, poor nutriment and poor precipitation, cold so rate of biological process low ( 20% of world surface, Artic circle )

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13
Q

what is the temperate forest

A

shedding leaves exclusively in northern hemisphere ( Europe )

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14
Q

what is Coniferous forest ( boreal forest or taiga )

A

narrow shape, don’t shedd, adapted for snow and cold, periodic fires and polliated by wind like temperate )

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15
Q

what is the tropical rain forest

A

copious rainfall and warm temperatures all year, trees always green, polliated by animals, a lot of animal

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16
Q

what is savanna

A

trees stunted and widely spread, a lot of grass, herds of animals, warm all year, dry season are common so a lot of fires

17
Q

what is temperate grassland

A

looks like savanna but no trees

18
Q

what is desert

A

rocks and sand, low plant life , warm and dry, water via rain fall or dew but fog is very important

19
Q

what is Maquis or Mediterranean

A

summer hot and dry, winter cold and moist, low nutrient, fires

20
Q

what are cycle of matter

A

molecules formed and reformed by chemical and biological reactions and are manifested as physical changes.

21
Q

explain the hydrological cycle

A

water exchange between earth surface and the atmosphere through evaporation, transpiration, precipitation. largest between oceans and atmosphere

22
Q

the flow of solar energy is traced through which chain? what is the base of this chain?

A

the food chain and the base is solar energy

23
Q

each stages of the solar energy chain is known as…

A

trophic level

24
Q

what happens to available energy as you climb up the solar energy chain

A

less energy is available, so less big predator ( except humans ) more plant

25
Q

give some example of human actions that can affect the chains and cycles

A

the cycle of mineral in the rock cycle is affected by the construction industry. damming of rivers

26
Q

when and where did modern human first came into the geographical scene

A

between 100,000 and 200,000 years ago in Africa

27
Q

what type of equilibrium is present in most natural systems

A

dynamic equilibrium

28
Q

what hypothesis hold that life on the planet play a large role in regulating the earths conditions

A

the Gaia hypothesis

29
Q

what type of feedback exists in natural cycle and dynamic system

A

positive and negative

30
Q

explain what is a threshold

A

change in a system may not occur until a certain threshold. crossing that threshold will provoke change. may be a function of frequency or intensity of the forces for change

31
Q

what dictate a natural system ability to maintain or return to natural state

A

resilience and resistance

32
Q

what is resilience

A

ability to return to original conditions

33
Q

what is resistance

A

ability to maintain its original conditions with same function and process

34
Q

how does the methane stored within the tundra biome an example of the importance of spacial scale

A

certain area more sensitive and if threshold is crossed ir affect other area.

35
Q

what are the problems associated with increasing the state of knowledge when it comes to the working of the natural world

A

there is no data and our short period of residence on earth

36
Q

what is meant by proxy indicatiors

A

indirect sign or clue that can be or lead to a phenomenon