Geography Flashcards
(25 cards)
Positive correlation
When both variables increase or decrease at the same time
Negative correlation
Occurs when one variable increases as the other decreases
Ecosystem services
The processes and outputs that nature provide us with
Provisioning services
The ability of humans to obtain natural products and raw materials from ecosystems that can be used by humans.
For example, oceans, fresh water, animals, plants and fuel
Regulating services
Any benefit obtained from natural processes and functioning of ecosystems. Processes that absorb our waste adn regulate our environment to ensure their quality.
For example, climate, pollination, wetlands purifying water, fungi and bacteria decomposing waste.
Support services
Services that relate to the functioning of a habitat which therefore can influence our survival.
For example, photosynthesis, the water cycle and nutrient cycles are the basis of ecosystems which allow us to support ourselves.
Cultural services
Non - material benefits that people obtain from ecosystems.
For example, spirituality, cultural connection, knowledge and inspiration
Natural causes of environmental change
A naturally occuring sequence of events that cause change in the environment
Tectonic processes
Processes that occur within the earth. They create and destroy land through the movement of tectonic plates for example, volcanic processes
Erosion processes
Processes that occur on the earth and modify the land.
They include fluvial (river), glacial, aeolian (wind) and mass movement.
Atmospheric processes
Processes that occur above the Earth in the atmosphere. They create and control the weather, for example, the greenhouse effect
Human caused environmental change
Human actions that cause changes in the environment
For example, vegetation clearance, damming and changing the course of rivers, applying fertilisers to soil, introducing exotic plants and animals, etc.
Human centred world view
This means you believe that the environment is to be used to meet our wants and needs, humans are managers of the environment, economic growth is the most important thing, natural resources are only important if they have economic value and natural resources are only important if they have economic value.
Earth centred world view
This means you believe that the environment doesn’t exist for human exploitation, the environment must be considered first and foremost before economic development and that the human race will not survive unless we intergrate our knowledge on how the environment sustains itslef into the way we think and act.
Important factors for a human centred world view
Social factors, which include how the management of the environment will impact people, for example, will it cost jobs or affect their enjoyment of a place.
And economic factors, which include how management of the environment will impact on the economy, for example, will it cost or make money?
Important factors for a earth centred world view
Environmental factors, for example, how will this impact flora and fauna, natural processes, ecosystems and the earth over short and long periods of time.
What are coasts?
Coasts are natural systems consisting of landforms (beaches, dunes and cliffs) as well as biotic elements (aquatic and terrestrial plants and animals).
Erosional landforms
Different ocean processes can create coastal landforms through erosion and weathering.
Two key ocean processes that create erosional landforms are destructive waves and ocean tides.
Destructive waves
Waves are generated by winds out at sea which creates a swell. The larger the distance to the coast the greater potential height of the wave, especially in storm conditions.
Waves generated in storm conditions are called destructive waves.
Landform examples are leadlands and bays, cliffs, caves, arches, blowholes and stacks.
Constructive waves
Waves that are generated in calm conditions are known as constructive waves, and these may build up sediments.
Sediments and sands from which beaches are formed come from materials eroded from cliffs and, more particularly, sediments brought down to the coast by rivers
Waves wash these sediments onto shallow sloping coastal platforms. As beaches are composed of soft materials, they are easily eroded in storms, but generally sands that are taken offshore will return when calmer conditions return and constructive waves can move the sediments back.
Social impacts of erosion
Loss of beach for recreational purposes. There may be reduced dry sand areas for picnics, fishing and sunbathing, less space for safe swimming and disrupted wave patterns for surfing.
Compromised safe beach access. Erosion can cause unstable cliffs or sudden drop-offs which causes safety issues. Damage to car parks adn access roads can also limit ease of beach access and erosion may expose buried infrastructure or debris.
Loss of beach infrastructure. Staircases, ramps and paths may be undermined or damaged and this could particularly impact accessibility for eldery or differently abled people.
Economic impacts of erosion
Significant costs for issues. Protection measures and their maintenance and monitoring, such as seawalls or offshore structure could involve substantial cost.
Risk to property values, as if erosion is thought to be a threat, property values could decrease.
Damage to assets and infrastructure. Sections of roads, carparks, public toilets and other buildings can be damaged. There can also be damage to utilities like water, gas and electricity.
Environmental impacts of erosion
Changes to coastal habitats and ecosystems as erosion can lead to loss of dune systems, which are important habitats for native flora and fauna. Changes in beach profile may also affect nesting areas for birds.
Erosion can also create decreased beach cleanliness and reduction in coastal scenery.
Groynes
Fence - like structures made of wood or rock. They’re built at a right angle to the coast to preventing the process of longshore drift, intead trapping sediment on the beach.
