9 - Human Interaction with Nature, Resources, and the Earth's Physical Aspects Flashcards
This deck explores the interaction between people and places, focusing on human impact on the environment, human adaptation and key geographic concepts.
Define:
ecosystem
The combination of all living and nonliving organisms and environments that contribute to the overall function and sustenance of the system as a whole.
Includes plants, animals, land, soil, water, air and the biosphere.
Identify:
The percentage of discovered plant species that are endangered according to the Royal Botanic Gardens
22% of the total 380,000 discovered plant species.
This highlights the impact of human activities on plant biodiversity.
Identify:
The single greatest threat to biodiversity.
Human alteration of habitats.
Due to activities like deforestation, over-harvesting, fossil fuel use, agriculture, urban construction and pollution.
Identify:
4 greenhouse gases contributing to global warming.
- Water vapor
- Carbon dioxide (CO2)
- Nitrous oxide
- Methane
Identify:
What is the percentage increase in global average temperature since 1975?
0.2 degrees Celsius per decade due to fossil fuel use.
How does deforestation contribute to climate change?
It reduces the Earth’s ability to absorb CO₂, increasing global warming.
Define:
over-harvesting
The process of harvesting organisms and resources faster than their populations can recover.
Identify:
What is the projected human population by 2050?
9.9 billion people
Identify:
5 major impacts humans have on the environment.
- Deforestation
- Global warming
- Overharvesting
- Pollution
- Agriculture
Identify:
3 ways humans are attempting to reverse issues related to climate change.
- Reforestation
- Using clean energy.
- Protecting natural preserves and forests.
Explain:
One way to counter the harmful effects of agriculture.
Encouraging the use of sustainable agricultural techniques.
Define:
cultural geography
The study of the impact of environment on tradition and vice versa.
It examines how human traditions are influenced by their surroundings.
Define:
environmental determinism
The belief that the environment determines how a culture will develop.
This idea was popular in the 19th century and often justified imperialism and racism.
Explain:
What replaced environmental determinism in the 20th century?
environmental possibilism
This belief suggests that the environment places limits on people but does not determine their behavior.
Define:
cultural ecology
The study of how people use culture to adapt to their environment.
It examines the interaction between human traditions and the ecological limits imposed by the environment.
Explain:
What is an example of cultural ecology?
Cross-country skiing in Alaska.
This activity is popular due to the snowy environment, which influences cultural practices.
Explain:
adaptation
The process by which early hominids overcame challenges and aided in species success.
Adaptation includes both biological and non-biological changes to enhance survival.
Identify:
Two types of human adaptation.
- Biological adaptation
- Non-biological adaptation
Biological adaptation refers to evolutionary changes, while non-biological adaptation involves altering the environment.
Identify:
The period in which the beginnings of humankind occurred.
Paleolithic period
(2.6 million years ago to 11,700 years ago)
This period marks the early development of human species and tools.
Identify:
3 species of early hominids.
- Homo habilis
- Homo erectus
- Homo neanderthalensis
These species were primarily nomadic hunter/gatherers.
Identify:
What tool-related adaptation did early hominids use as early as 2.6 million years ago?
Stones as tools.
These tools aided in hunting, butchery, food processing and protection.
Identify:
A significant development that occurred approximately 800,000 years ago in human adaptation
Use of fire for cooking.
Cooking with fire made more nutrients available in food.
Identify:
What marks the start of human civilization according to the Neolithic era?
Learning to farm.
This transition occurred first in ancient Mesopotamia between 10,000 and 12,000 years ago.
Identify:
3 benefits of agriculture for early Homo sapiens.
- Food security
- Population growth
- Development of cultures and societies
Agriculture allowed for a stable food supply, leading to larger settlements.
Define:
irrigation
The process of diverting water from a water source to a location without water.
It is crucial for successful agriculture.
Identify:
3 civilizations known for developing aqueduct systems.
- Ancient Egyptians
- Greeks
- Romans
Aqueducts transported water from distant sources to urban centers.
Explain:
What were the benefits larger brains provided to early hominids?
- Adapt to changing climates.
- Enabled complex thought and problem-solving.
This adaptation occurred between 800,000 and 200,000 years ago during rapid climate changes.
Identify:
2 examples of biological adaptations in humans.
- Opposable thumbs
- Increased lung capacity
These adaptations have provided advantages in survival and practicality.
Identify:
One main reason for human success as a species.
Agriculture
It allowed humans to control food production and achieve food security.
Identify:
4 methods of irrigation developed by humans.
- Digging ditches
- Damming and flooding
- Creating wells
- Building aqueducts
These methods were essential for farming in areas lacking natural water sources.
Define:
geography
The systematic study of the physical aspects of the Earth and human activities.
Geography also examines the distribution of natural resources, cities and factories; and the interaction between humans and the physical environment.
Define:
cartography
The practice of mapmaking.
The oldest known maps date from about 2,300 BC and were etched into Babylonian clay tablets.
Identify:
Who created the Mercator projection in 1569?
Gerardus Mercator, a Flemish mapmaker.
The Mercator projection improved the accuracy of world maps and uniquely represented north as up.
Explain:
Mercator Projection
A method of mapmaking that presents north as up and exaggerates sizes of landmasses away from the equator.
Example: It makes islands like Greenland appear larger than continents like Australia.
Define:
GPS
The Global Positioning System, a satellite-based navigation system.
GPS emerged from tracking the USSR’s Sputnik satellite and is integral to daily life for billions.
Identify:
The name of the first global satellite navigation system.
Transit, launched in 1958.
It improved map accuracy and was retired in 1996 when the GPS was rolled out.
Define:
GIS
Geographical Information System, which integrates GPS data with other information.
GIS is used to communicate and share information that has a geographic component.
Describe:
theodolite
- Resembles a telescope mounted on a tripod.
- Basic geography tool used in civil engineering for surveying and collecting high-precision measurements.
Define:
remote sensing
A geography tool that uses aerial or satellite sensors to detect large areas.
It has applications in various fields, including firefighting, urban planning and anthropology.
Identify:
What are tools a geographer uses?
- Maps
- GPS
- GIS
- Theodolites
- Remote sensors
Geographers also rely on surveys and censuses for social information.
Explain:
What are geographic coordinates?
A set of numerical values that accurately identify positions on Earth based on latitude, longitude and elevation.
Geographic coordinates are essential for navigation and mapping.
Define:
Geographical Coordinate System
(GCS)
- System used to define locations on the Earth’s surface.
- Employs a three-dimensional spherical or spheroidal model of the Earth.
- Utilizes a grid of imaginary lines to pinpoint specific points.
GCS is used for measuring and communicating positions on Earth’s surface.
Explain:
The main difference between Geographic Coordinate System (GCS) and Cartesian coordinate system.
GCS uses latitude and longitude, while Cartesian uses x and y axes.
GCS is suitable for global measurements, while Cartesian is limited to small areas.
Define:
latitude
Angular distance measured north or south in reference to the equator.
Latitude is defined with the equator as 0-degrees and ranges from 0 to 90-degrees North or South.
Define:
longitude
Angular distance measured east or west in reference to the prime meridian.
Longitude is defined with the prime meridian as 0-degrees and ranges from 0 to 90-degrees East or West.
Identify
The name of the 0-degree latitude line.
The Equator
The equator separates the northern and southern hemispheres.
Identify:
The name of the 0-degree longitude line.
The Prime Meridian
The prime meridian runs through Greenwich, England.
Define:
elevation
A measurement of a position’s vertical distance from sea level, defined as 0 meters.
For example, the peak of Mt. Everest is ~8,849 meters above sea level.
Explain:
The relationship between degrees, minutes and seconds in geographic measurements.
Angles are measured in degrees, minutes and seconds for both latitude and longitude.
Each unit has specific distance equivalencies on Earth’s surface.
Explain:
How do geographic coordinates work?
By using angular distances between a position, Earth’s equator, the center of the Earth and the prime meridian.
Coordinates define positions on or above Earth’s surface.
Explain:
How can geographic coordinates be found?
Using GPS or digital maps, or by measuring angles manually.
Manual measurement involves finding angles between the position and reference points.
Define:
Mappa Mundi
A 13th-century world map designed by British cartographers, representing medieval views of the world.
It is circular, with Jerusalem at the center, and contains both real and mythical elements.
Identify:
The 7 continents.
- North America
- South America
- Eurasia
- Africa
- Australia
- Oceania
- Antarctica
Define:
administrative regions
Areas governed by the same political or economic authority.
Example: The entire United States is an administrative region.
Define:
formal regions
Regions assigned by geographers based on shared traits, either physical or cultural.
Traits may include altitude, language or religion.
Define:
functional regions
Areas organized by function or purpose, such as neighborhoods served by a common service.
Example: Neighborhoods serviced by the same water processing plant.
Define:
vernacular regions
Regions perceived as similar, regardless of actual differences.
Example: The American South is viewed as a cohesive region despite its diversity.
Identify:
The geographical area North America covers.
It includes Canada, the United States and Mexico.
Its climates range from continental to subtropical to dry deserts.
Identify:
Where is Africa located and what are its climate zones?
- Eastern Hemisphere
- Dry deserts to tropical rainforests
The Sahara Desert is a major climatic division.
Identify:
What distinguishes Eurasia from other continents?
- Eurasia is the largest continent, combining Europe and Asia.
- Located in the Eastern Hemisphere.
It has varied climates, including Mediterranean and subtropical.
Identify:
What is unique about Australia as a geographical region?
- Australia is both a country and a continent
- Primarily located in the Eastern Hemisphere.
- Referred to as Oceania when including the surrounding islands in the Pacific region.
Identify:
Characteristics of Antarctica.
It is characterized by its arctic climate and lack of permanent human civilization.
It surrounds the southern pole of the planet.
Identify:
What is included in Oceania?
- Polynesia
- Micronesia
- Melanesia
- Australasia
Most of Oceania has a tropical climate, except for subtropical New Zealand.
Identify:
What are criticisms that arise from how geographers classify regions?
- Oversimplification of diverse areas.
- Development of human biases.
- Lack of flexibility in understanding geography.
These challenges can obscure significant differences between cultures and climates.
Explain
The significance of understanding world regions.
It helps in comprehending human-human and human-nature interactions.
Despite challenges, the benefits of regional understanding outweigh the drawbacks.
Define:
map projection
The process of representing the ellipsoidal Earth surface onto a flat surface.
Identify:
The 4 characteristics of map projection.
- Area
- Shape
- Distance
- Direction
Identify:
What is the primary purpose of map projection?
To create an easier way to measure distances, calculate areas, determine azimuth and find the shortest route.
Identify:
Shapes commonly used in map projection.
- Cylinder
- Cone
Explain:
What happens to the 4 characteristics of map projections during the projection process?
One or more characteristics will inevitably be compromised to preserve the remaining elements.
Define:
scale
The ratio of the distance between two points on a map to their actual distance on the earth’s surface.
Identify:
3 types of map projections.
- Azimuthal projection
- Conformal projection
- Equal-area projection
Explain:
What does the Azimuthal Projection preserve?
- Direction from the center of the map.
- Relative distance to the center.
Explain:
What does Conformal Projection preserve?
- Angles locally
- Shape
Explain:
What does Equal-area Projection preserve?
The relative size of features on the map.
Explain:
An example of Equal-area Projection.
Albers Projection
Define:
thematic map
Maps that visualize information such as population density using equal-area projection.
Explain:
What impact do rising greenhouse gases have on the environment?
- Accelerates climate change.
- Causes species extinctions.
- Reshapes natural habitats through changes like rising sea levels, glacier melting, drought and more intense storms.
