the physical environment Flashcards
what is the most used classification system for the physical environment
4 interrelated spheres: lithosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere
what is lithosphere
made up of rocks ( igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary )
what is atmosphere
are manifested by the earths surface by typical distribution of climate
what is biosphere
flora and fauna
what is hydrosphere
subdivided by its chemical constituents: fresh water, saline water or by the condition or phase of water so solid, ice, vapour.
what are ecosystems
suites of characteristics are combined in a particular areas
how can ecosystems be classified
in many ways but one is using the amount of organic matter or biomass produced per year
what are the main factors determining productivity of ecosystems
Availability of nutrient, climate and diversity
what does latitudinal gradient mean?
mean biogeographic patterns that define the way in which component change
morphoclimatic regions are combination of..
vegetation and climate
name 8 morphoclimatic region
tundra, desert, the temperate forest, coniferous forest, the tropical rain forest, savanna, temperate grass land, maquis or Mediterranean
what is tundra
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 )
what is the temperate forest
shedding leaves exclusively in northern hemisphere ( Europe )
what is Coniferous forest ( boreal forest or taiga )
narrow shape, don’t shedd, adapted for snow and cold, periodic fires and polliated by wind like temperate )
what is the tropical rain forest
copious rainfall and warm temperatures all year, trees always green, polliated by animals, a lot of animal
what is savanna
trees stunted and widely spread, a lot of grass, herds of animals, warm all year, dry season are common so a lot of fires
what is temperate grassland
looks like savanna but no trees
what is desert
rocks and sand, low plant life , warm and dry, water via rain fall or dew but fog is very important
what is Maquis or Mediterranean
summer hot and dry, winter cold and moist, low nutrient, fires
what are cycle of matter
molecules formed and reformed by chemical and biological reactions and are manifested as physical changes.
explain the hydrological cycle
water exchange between earth surface and the atmosphere through evaporation, transpiration, precipitation. largest between oceans and atmosphere
the flow of solar energy is traced through which chain? what is the base of this chain?
the food chain and the base is solar energy
each stages of the solar energy chain is known as…
trophic level
what happens to available energy as you climb up the solar energy chain
less energy is available, so less big predator ( except humans ) more plant
give some example of human actions that can affect the chains and cycles
the cycle of mineral in the rock cycle is affected by the construction industry. damming of rivers
when and where did modern human first came into the geographical scene
between 100,000 and 200,000 years ago in Africa
what type of equilibrium is present in most natural systems
dynamic equilibrium
what hypothesis hold that life on the planet play a large role in regulating the earths conditions
the Gaia hypothesis
what type of feedback exists in natural cycle and dynamic system
positive and negative
explain what is a threshold
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
what dictate a natural system ability to maintain or return to natural state
resilience and resistance
what is resilience
ability to return to original conditions
what is resistance
ability to maintain its original conditions with same function and process
how does the methane stored within the tundra biome an example of the importance of spacial scale
certain area more sensitive and if threshold is crossed ir affect other area.
what are the problems associated with increasing the state of knowledge when it comes to the working of the natural world
there is no data and our short period of residence on earth
what is meant by proxy indicatiors
indirect sign or clue that can be or lead to a phenomenon
