Human Environments Flashcards
Give reasons why the birth rate has decreased in developed countries such as Scotland (6)
Contraception and family planning is widely available (1). Later marriages are more common which results in fewer children (1). People no longer choose to have lots of children as improved medical care and advances in medicine (1) has resulted in most children surviving at birth (1). Developed countries have the money to invest in medical care which reduces the infant mortality rate thus causing the birth rate to fall (1). Children are expensive so the greater number of children the bigger the financial burden (1). Women want careers so put off having children to a later age (1) or limit the size of their families to give them a reasonable standard of living (1). Sex education in schools helps to lower birth rates (1).
Explain why there are areas of different population density across the world. Your answer should refer to both physical and human factors. (6)
Maximum 4 marks for human or physical factors (i.e. mark 4:2 3:3, 2:4). Relief: People prefer to live on flat, low-lying areas because it is easier to build on (1). Coastal areas allow trade to take place as ports locate by the sea so many people live nearby (1). Few people tend to live in mountainous areas because steep slopes make it difficult for machinery to operate (1). Upland areas are too cold and wet which makes it difficult to grow crops, so few people live there (1). Mountainous areas also have a low population density because they are often isolated which makes them hard to access (1). Climate: Many people prefer to live in temperate climates where there is enough rainfall to provide water (1). Few people tend to live in areas with extreme climates because areas like the Sahara Desert with very high temperatures and low rainfall make farming difficult (1). Few people live in areas such as Arctic Canada as permafrost makes building houses and roads difficult as the ground is frozen for much of the year (1). Rainforests have a low population density as they are uncomfortable to live in due to the humid climate (1) and diseases like Malaria spread easily (1). Soil: People prefer to live in areas with fertile soils so that crops can be grown to supply food (1). Where there are poor quality soils eg on steep slopes in Northern Scotland, few crops can be grown so less people live there (1). Few people live in hot desert areas because soil dries out and turns to dust, making it difficult to grow crops/keep animals (1). Job opportunities: Jobs in different industries in urban areas encourage people to move to find work (1). Cities such as Rio de Janeiro have a high population density as there are a variety of job opportunities (1). Transport and communications: Areas which are more accessible eg Central Lowlands of Scotland tend to have higher population densities (1). Places with good transport links attract people and industries which in turn creates employment opportunities, so more people live there (1). Services: Towns and cities are crowded as people move to cities like Berlin, London and New York for a variety of amenities and services eg education, health care, jobs and entertainments (1).
For China, or other countries you have studied, describe methods which have been used to reduce population growth. (4)
China used the one child policy to help reduce growth (1) the government took away benefits from families if they didn’t follow this rule (1) eg increased access to education for all, plus childcare and healthcare (2). China encouraged the use of birth control methods like IUD’s and sterilisation (1). Abortion is legal in China and is widely used (1). In recent years China has provided more education on birth control (1). Some countries like Indonesia introduced more free contraception (1). Some countries have used sex education (1). Some countries use tax incentives to encourage smaller families (1).
Explain how recent developments in agriculture in developing countries are helping farmers. (4)
Pesticides reduce disease producing better crops (1) and a surplus to trade (1). Fertilisers increase crop yields (1) this leads to better profits for some farmers (1) which can lead to an increase in their standard of living (1). Mechanisation means less strenuous work for the farmer (1) and is quicker and more efficient (1). GM crops produce a greater yield and are disease resistant so make a greater profit for the farmer (1) they can reduce the cost to the farmer of applying pesticides (1) and reduce the risk to his health (1). The growing demand for biofuels means higher crop prices and can result in the farmer getting a higher income (1) and create employment (1).
Give reasons for falling worldwide death rates. (6)
Improved diets such as those which include a variety of nutrients and protein help people to live a longer healthier life (1) eg as in Japan, where the life expectancy is 86 years of age (1) Access to a regular supply of clean water helps to reduce disease and death rates (1) Better pensions and good care for the elderly means that people are given the means by which they can live longer (1) Good sanitation has improved people’s health which means that death rates are lower (1) Good medical care has improved peoples chances of maintaining good health thus reducing death rates (1) Vaccinations have helped reduce worldwide infant mortality (1)
For two recent developments in agriculture, describe in detail how recent developments in farming affect the people and the landscape in developed countries. (6)
Diversification when farmers use other ventures such as farm shops it helps to boost the farmers’ income (1) allows farmers to become more independent and less reliant on subsidies.(1) Visiting a farm means people experience rural landscape and outdoor activities (1) the farmer makes an income from accommodation, farm shops, farm attractions, tours, agricultural exhibits, wildlife tours, and country sports (1) Wind farm development on farming land also generates extra income (1) Government Policy: In the UK, the Department for Food & Rural Affairs (DeFRA) or the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) supports farming industry by providing subsidies (1) DeFRA regulates policies which improve animal health and welfare regulations (1) Government demands disease control in plants and animals to maintain high standards of produce (1) Government funds and supports research into agriculture which in turn improves farming practices(1) CAP Common Agricultural Policy helps farmers to maintain stable prices and guarantee a steady income (1) farmers use set-aside land to prevent over-production of certain crops (1) Grants available for environmental improvements (1) such as planting hedges in rural land (1). GM Crops: Genetically modified crops can increase crop yields (1) and improve resistance to disease (1) Many people disagree with GM crops arguing that it may have a negative impact on the natural environment (1). More tolerant crop varieties could be grown in areas where they couldn’t be previously grown (1). GM crops reduce the need for pesticides which helps insects and bees (1)
Problems with looking at only one indicator such as GNP are:
This is an average and so may be easily skewed by a few very wealthy families which may mask extreme poverty for the majority of the population. It does not take into account the cost of goods which affects what people can buy with their wages. How wealthy a country is does not take into account how this money is used as it does not show data on how well educated people are or how good their diet is. It does not take into account differences between urban and rural areas, eg in Brazil between poor favela areas and wealthier inner cities.
Define: development
it is an increase in the standard of living of the people in a country. It includes economic factors, such as wealth, and social factors such as literacy. Both social and economic indicators can be used to determine if a country is developed or developing, and to identify the main similarities and differences between them.
Developed country
The population pyramid of the UK shows low birth and low death rates, and high life expectancy.
What are the effects of this population structure?
Too many elderly people, puts an added strain on services e.g. health care. Extra money is required to build more care homes to accommodate elderly people. The Government has to spend more money on pensions and less money elsewhere e.g. education. Fewer children born means that less maternity hospitals and schools are needed. Teachers and midwives are made redundant as they are surplus to requirements. In the future, not enough people of working age are available to fill job vacancies. The Government has to spend money recruiting foreign skilled workers to fill jobs. People have to work longer as the age of retirement is raised.
Developing country
The population pyramid of India shows high birth and death rates and low life expectancy.
What are the effects of this population structure?
Too many young people, puts an added strain on services e.g. health care. Extra money is required to build more schools to accommodate children. The Government has to spend more money on education and less money elsewhere e.g. industrial development. More children born means that more maternity hospitals and schools are needed. More teachers and midwives are required to be trained. In the future, too many people of working age to fill job vacancies. Unemployment and poverty increase. Not enough homes, so shanty towns increase.
Death rates are low in developed countries because of:
Advances in modern medicine.
Vaccinations against diseases, eg measles.
Improvements in water and sanitation.
Enhanced food production and storage.
Better transport for food.
Lower infant mortality rates.
The population in the developed world is therefore fairly stable and neither rising nor falling significantly.
Birth rates are low in developed countries because of:
Women’s status has improved.
Contraception and family planning is more readily available.
Careers are more important than having a family.
The cost of raising a family has increased.
People marry later, so there is less opportunity to have large families.
Increased desire for material possessions, eg cars and holidays instead of children.
Birth rates are high in developing countries because:
Children are needed to work and bring in an income for the family.
Children are required to look after elderly parents because of a lack of pensions.
Lack of availability and knowledge of contraception and family planning.
High infant mortality rates, so parents have more children in the hope that some survive.
Religious beliefs– certain religions encourage large families.
In some developing countries, children can be viewed as a sign of virility.
Death rates are fairly high in developing countries because:
Lack of food caused by famine.
Malnutrition caused by poor diet.
Poor sanitation and lack of clean drinking water.
Natural disasters destroying crops.
High levels of disease, eg malaria.
Lack of doctors, medicines and healthcare.
War, eg Afghanistan.
As birth rates are higher than death rates there is rapid population growth in developing countries.
Name the different land use zones
Give one reason to explain why each type of land use is located there.
Zone 1 - CBD - is a central location for accessibility. Housing developers cannot usually afford the high land prices found here.
Zone 2 - Factory zone - industry located here in the 19th century (which was then the edge of the city).
Zone 3 - Working class housing - built close to the factories so people could get to work easily (they could only really afford to walk to work).
Zone 4 - Residential zone - as transport links developed people who could, moved away to bigger houses near the edge of the city.
Zone 5 - Commuter zone - many people now live outside the city in cleaner environments, either commuting to work or working at new greenfield sites.
Describe the main differences between the Burgess Model and the Hoyt Model
Give two reasons to explain these differences.
The sectors or wedges of different land uses, which stretch out from the CBD. Different types of housing are located on different sides of the city, eg working class to the west and middle class to the east.
Physical features have been included in the model, eg river floodplains were not always suitable land for housing, so industry was built there. Transport features, eg industrial areas followed the railway lines or a major road to allow the development of new housing on the edge of cities.
