Theme 1 Landscapes and physical processes Flashcards
What is an example of a distinctive landscape?
River Dyfi Estuary, gentle sloping sides, mud flats and sand banks, small towns Aberdyfi
What is a honey pot site?
A place of special interest that attracts tourists
What is carrying capacity?
The maximum population size that an environment can sustain
What is an example of impact of human nature on the environment
Snowdonia national park, house prices increase due to rise in second home ownership, foot path erosion, welsh speaking community becomes diluted
What is an example of strategies to manage landscapes?
Brecon Beacons. Volunteer recruitment to help fix and rebuild footpaths to ensure less footpath erosion occurs.
What are interlocking spurs?
Hard, resistant rock that doesnt erode easily, therefore the river will flow around it.
How are V-shaped valleys created?
Through vertical erosions, which may be caused by freeze-thaw and biological weathering.
What is the process in waterfalls being formed?
- Hard resistant rock is undercut by erosion of soft rock
- Water will fall and splash against the soft rock (less resistant), beginning to erode it
- A plunge pool is formed and deepened by abrasion
- Over time the overhang will collapse due to lack of support and gravity
- The waterfall will begin to retreat upstream which leaves a gorge.
What is freeze thraw action?
When water enters cracks within the rock and freezes, causing the water to expand, and cracking the rock further, the water then melts and the whole process starts over but deeper in the rock.
Example of causes and effects of flooding: Somerset
Causes, prolonged heavy rain, two large rivers running through, area of flat land. Effects, over 80 roads blocked, 600 homes affected, cost of emergency services.
What are examples of hard engineering?
Dams, embankments, channelisation
What are examples of soft engineering?
Restrict buildings on floodplains, afforestation, warning systems
