geog cram Flashcards
1
Q
latitude
A
distance measured in degrees north and south of equator
2
Q
where are the tropics
A
tropic of cancer 23.5N
tropic of capricorn 23.5S
3
Q
longitude
A
distance east or west of prime meridian measured in degrees
4
Q
characteristics of tropics
A
- 23.5N and S of equator between cancer and capricorn
- high temps throughout the year; 23.5C on an average day
- one season — summer
- receives most sunshine in the world
- high precipitation rates >2000mm per year
5
Q
weather
A
conditions of the atmosphere at a specific place over a relatively short period of time
6
Q
climate
A
average weather conditions of a specific place over a considerable period of time, usually more than 30 years
7
Q
temperature
A
degree of hotness or coldness of a place
8
Q
how latitude affects temperature (hint: angle sun’s rays strike earth)
A
- at or near equator: angle at which sun’s rays strike earth is higher/right angle; solar radiation concentrated over smaller area hence temp is higher
- further away from equator at higher latitudes, angle at which sun’s rays strike the earth is lower; solar radiation is spread out over a larger area hence temp is lower
9
Q
how altitude affects temperature (hint: density)
A
- top of mountain: air is less dense with fewer air and dust molecules, retaining less heat
- base of mountain: air is denser with more air and dust particles, retaining more heat. because gravity pulls most particles towards the ground surface
10
Q
how albedo affects temperature
A
type of surface
higher albedo=greater reflectivity
11
Q
how a lot of cloud cover affects temperature
A
- day: presence of clouds reflect some of the solar radiation back into space. less solar radiation reaches ground; relatively low temp.
- night: clouds slow down the rate at which longwave radiation escapes into space. cloudy nights feel warmer as the atmosphere retains more heat.
- smaller diurnal (daily) temp range.
12
Q
how little cloud cover affects temperature
A
- day: incoming solar radiation reaches earth’s surface without obstruction. ground heats up more quickly; warmer temp.
- night: max amount of heat escapes into space. atmosphere cools down quickly; relatively low temp.
- larger diurnal temp range
13
Q
what are the factors that affect temperature
A
latitude, altitude, cloud cover, albedo (lava)
14
Q
hydrological cycle
A
precipitation; infiltration, percolation, groundwater flow; surface runoff; evaporation; transpiration; condensation
15
Q
infiltration
A
process by which water enters ground or soil
16
Q
percolation
A
downward flow of water through soil into groundwater due to gravity
17
Q
groundwater flow
A
very slow movement of water below earth’s surface
18
Q
surface runoff
A
water that travels over the surface of the ground to reach streams and rivers
19
Q
evaporation
A
process of water changing from liquid to gaseous state
20
Q
transpiration
A
process by which water lost through surface of a plant
21
Q
condensation
A
process of water changing from gaseous to liquid state
22
Q
precipitation
A
water that falls from clouds towards ground
23
Q
relative humidity
A
measure of actual amount of water vapour in the air compared to total amount of water vapour tat air can hold at its current temperature
24
Q
absolute humidity
A
max amount of water vapour that air can hold at a given temperature
25
relationship between temp and rh
inversely related.
bigger space but same number of water droplets means rh decreased
26
saturation
when air holds the max amount of water vapour it can hold, i.e. 100% rh
27
dew point temperature
temperature at which saturation occurs
28
why the tropics are humid
- receives large amounts of solar radiation; increases rate of evaporation
- presence of forests and the evapotranspiration increases humidity
- nearby oceans and lakes facilitate evaporation
29
convectional rain
1 .high rates of evaporation due to intense solar radiation
2. rapid condensation as fast-rising water vapour cools rapidly to form cumulonimbus clouds
3. precipitation occurs when water droplets become too heavy to suspend and fall back to earth’s surface
30
relief rain
1. warm, moist air over ocean surface reaches a mountain and is forced to rise up the slope
2. as warm air rises, it cools gradually and can no longer hold as much water vapour. rh of the parcel of air increases
3. when the water droplets are heavy enough, they fall as rain on the side of the mountain where it was forced to rise, windward side
4. the other side, leeward side, of the mountain is usually dry because as the parcel of air decreases in altitude, it warms up and can hold more water vapour
31
characteristics of tropical equatorial climate
- average daily temperature of 28C
- high precipitation >2000mm per year
- climate consistent year-round
- no season
32
where are tropical rainforests found
- between 0-23.5N and S of equator
- ACS
- tropical climate; high rf of >1500mm and temp of >20C
33
diversity of tropical rainforests
- hot and wet environment —> rich biodiversity
- many types of food we eat
34
structure of tropical rainforests
emergent, canopy, undergrowth, forest floor
35
characteristics of emergent layer
- uppermost layer where some trees rise and tower above other trees
- can grow up to 50m-80m; formed by crowns of these trees
- trees usually have tall, straight and smooth trunks w/ few branches
- e.g. kapok
36
characteristics of canopy layer
- trees grow to heights of 20-30m to reach for sunlight
- grow closes tgt; crowns interlock to form an almost continuous cover
- blocking up to 90% of sun’s rays from reaching forest floor
- also has liana: thick woody vines that twine up trees to reach for sunlight; epiphytes: plants which grow on trees to reach more sunlight like ferns
37
characteristics of undergrowth layer
- dark as sun’s rays blocked by canopy
- plants are small, thin and widely spaced due to lack of sunlight; much larger leaves compared to other layers
- consists of plants like moss, ferns, some lianas and epipytes
- forest floor: thin layer of leaf little due to rapid decomposition caused by hot&wet environment
38
living conditions of tropical rainforest (hint: hhdls)
- high rf
- high temp
- dark on forest floor
- lots of decomposition
- still air within forest
high rf&temp allows for continuous growing season for plants & trees, resulting in trfs being very dense and many species of trees
39
adaptations of leaves in trfs
- broad leaves: helps trees capture sunlight for photosynthesis
- waxy, hairy or leathery surfaces: minimise loss of moisture thru transpiration due to high temps
- drip tips: narrow, downward-pointing tips to allow water to run off easily, preventing fungi & bacteria growth on leaves
40
adaptations of fruits and flowers in trfs
colourful and strong-smelling
- attract insects & other animals to assist in seed dispersal and pollination
- air is usually still which is hard for seed dispersal & pollination by wind
- e.g. rafflesia
41
adaptations of bark& branches in trfs
- tall, straight trunks w/ branches spread out near top 1/3 of tree: helps trees obtain max amount of sunlight
- smooth bark: allows for rainwater to flow easily from crown to roots of trees
- thin bark: non need for protection against cold or dry conditions
42
adaptations of roots in trfs
- buttress roots: grow from 1-5m above ground to support heavy weight of tall trees
- shallow roots: nutrients from rapid decomposition of fallen leaves & branches mostly found in top layer of soil + water is available through year so no need for roots to grow deep in search of water
43
where mangroves are found
- along coast in tropical
- along calm water conditions
- sheltered coastal environments
- where water salinity is higher (but can grow along fresh water)
44
characteristics of mangrove forests (hint: hell)
- halophytes commonly found: sonnerata, avicennia, rhizophora, bruguiera
- evergreen
- less comp for sunlight than trf
- lower diversity than trf — typically dominated by a few species
45
horizontal layering in mfs
- coastal: sonneratia, avicennia
- middle: rhizophora
- inland: bruguiera
46
characteristics of coastal zone
- nearest to sea, flooded w/ saltwater @ high tide
- species that are able to tolerate longer period of flooding
- breathing roots: avicennia pencil roots, sonneratia cone roots
47
characteristics of middle zone
- duration of flooding by tide is shorter; less water during high tide
- trees less tolerant of salt
- prop or stilt roots growing from trunks to anchor plants firm to muddy soil, i.e. rhizophora
48
characteristics of inland zone
- furthest inland; least water during high tide
- trees least tolerant to salt
- knee-like roots to provide support on soft soil, i.e. bruguiera
49
adaptations of leaves in mfs
- evergreen; thick & leathery, broad w/ drip tips
- avicennia secretes salt: excess salt secreted on leaves and removed by wind or rain
- bruguiera, rhizophora and sonneratia are ultrafiltrators: excess salt stored in old leaves which are then shed
50
adaptations of flowers and fruits in mfs
- colourful: attract insects & other animals to assist in seed dispersal & pollination; air is usually still which is hard for seed dispersal & pollination by wind
- tube-like fruits: germinate while on tree + falls into mud and starts to grow when it ripens; harder for plant to be washed away by tides
- elongated structure: fruits pierce into the mud when they fall to take root
- buoyant: can be carried away by water to other coastal areas and take root
51
adaptations of roots in mfs
- mangrove forest is usually waterlogged; trees may get washed away by strong tides + roots may not be able to breathe while submerged
- breathing roots: take in oxygen from air during low tide
- prop/knee-like/stilt roots: anchor trees firmly to ground or they get washed away by strong tides
52
deforestation
cutting down of trees in the forest and the conversion of forest to human uses like plantations, mines, urban areas etc
53
impacts of deforestation
ees: environmental, economic, social
54
environmental impacts of deforestation
- loss of biodiversity: 70% earth’s animals & plants reside in forests; deforestation leads to extinction and endangered species
- loss in water catchment area: loss of trees —> less transpiration —> less cloud formation —> less rain —> droughts; loss of trees —> less infiltration of rainfall —> more surface runoff —> washes soil and other sediments into streams, rivers, lakes —> poor quality of water supply
- increased risk of flooding, soil erosion & sedimentation: no trees —> no roots holding soil tgt —> soil erosion washed down rivers as surface runoff —> sedimentation —> occupies more space —> water level rises —> flooding along river banks
- enhanced greenhouse effect: less trees removing carbon dioxide in atmosphere —> more of it to trap heat —> enhanced greenhouse effect causing warming of atmosphere—> climate change
55
economic impacts of deforestation
less revenue in long run
rate of exploitation > rate of regeneration
56
social impacts of deforestation
loss of habitats for indigenous people
57
things to do for gi
hypothesis, methodology, data analysis, limitations, conclusion
58
types of data
- primary: data collected firsthand by you
- secondary: collected by someone else
59
data analysis
- graphs>tables
- major trend
- data to support major trend
- support/doesn’t support hypothesis
60
limitations
- constraints you had to work with
- effects of constraints on your results
- what you could have done to get desirable accurate results
61
conclusion
- hypothesis correct or not
- potential alternatives
