Geography Flashcards
(19 cards)
Define Environment
The totality of our surroundings comprising of the living and non-living features of the earths surface
Define geography
The study of the physical features of the earth and its environment.
Places and the relationship between people and their environments.
Define Sustainability
An ecological context referring to the ability of biological systems to remain diverse and productive
Define physical geography
The study of the earths seasons, climate, atmosphere, soil, streams, landforms and oceans
Define Human geography
The study of the distribution of networks of people and cultures on the earths surface
Define Marine Environment
The largest and most unexplored environment on earth
Key Challenges of sustainability
- population growth
- energy use
- climate change
- pollution
- land degradation
- urbanisation
- exploited oceans
- Habitat loss
What are the 4 functions of the environment (hint: 4 S’s)
Source
Sink
Service
Spiritual
Describe habitat loss and its effect on the environment
Talk about
Global warming Decrease in animal and plant species Food sources used for construction and fuel Salinity Human activity
What does DPSIR stand for
Drivers Pressures State Impact Response
Role of ocean currents
Ocean currents are responsible for moving huge volumes of water around the globe, helping to regulate temperatures.
Importance of Marine Environments
The Marine Environment accounts for about 2-thirds of the worlds ecosystem services. These are the services that environments provide in order to keep the world functioning
Human impacts on the marine environment
Marine pollutants Oil and gas exploration Unsustainable fishing Dumping of wastes and toxins Climate change
How to help manage the marine environment
- among the least managed of all the environments partly due to the fact it is the most unexplored causing lack of understanding of how the marine environment works.
- we have started regulate things such as fishing to control the amount of biodiversity.
- The Wellington Convention: protection of marine environments in the South Pacific
- prevention of pollution from ships
Describe the 4 functions
Source - naturally occurring resources
Sink - ability to break down
Service - things done for us by the biophysical environment
Spiritual - cultural and recreational value to people
DPSIR
Drivers - the forces that drive human activity
Pressure - human activities that place stress on the environment
State - the state or condition of the environment
Impacts - the effects of the environmental damage
Response - the responses by policy makers or society
Define Human well being
Human wellbeing is the recognition that everyone around the world, regardless of geography, age, culture, religion or political environment, aspires to live well.
Define Human development index
The index that takes into account not only the goods and services produced but also the ability of a population to use these and the time they have to enjoy them.
Define the term development
The process of developing or being developed.
