Geography fieldwork Flashcards
(19 cards)
River Greta enquiry question
How and why do drainage basin characteristics influence flood risk for people and property along the River Greta?
Why is River Greta suitable
-Has recently flooded
-Flood defenses have since been rebuilt
-Safe and easily accessible
Quantitative data collection method
1)Put the impeller blade at the end furthest from the stick, ensuring it can move
2)Place the impeller in a stable place under the water
3)Start the stopwatch immediately
4)Stop the stopwatch as soon as the impeller blade reaches the end
Purpose of impellor data
-Enables us to calculate changes in velocity downstream
-Links to sub q.1
Impellor data collection errors
-Human error by not stopping the stopwatch or not seeing the impellor reach the end immediately
-Natural error such as algae stuck in the impellor blade
Impellor data limitations
-Only represents channel at a certain time of year
-Only 3 locations measured and they were very close together
Qualitative data collection method
1)Using a map, navigate through Keswick
2)Note on the map the land use through observation
3)Identify flood defenses
4)Annotate on map
Purpose of qualitative data
-Allows us to identify flood defenses in the town of Keswick
-Links to sub q.3
Qualitative data collection error
-Couldn’t always see the river
-Some flood defenses weren’t there on the day
Qualitative data limitations
-We only looked at a limited part of the river
Average cross sectional areas (m2)
Site 1: 0.07 m2
Site 2: 0.25 m2
Site 3: 0.53 m2
Average velocity (m/s)
Site 1: 0.17 m/s
Site 2: 0.21 m/s
Site 3: 0.3 m/s
Average discharge (m3/s)
Site 1: 0.01 m3/s
Site 2: 0.053 m3/s
Site 3: 0.153 m3/s
Secondary data: land use
Woodland: 9%
Urban: 1%
Lakes: 2%
Open fell / agriculture: 88%
Reasons for flood risk
-Only 9% woodland so less interception from vegetation so shorter lag time
-Steep gradient so surface runoff will run very quickly so shorter lag time
Adaptations in Keswick
-Holes in footbridge to allow water through so that it doesn’t fall in
-High ground floor balcony walls to prevent water going over the top
-Slats in doorways to slide in flood defenses
-Clear flood wall that doesn’t create visual pollution
Manchester enquiry question
How and why does quality of life vary with distance from Manchester city centre?
Primary data collection
-Environmental quality scores (maintained, clean, attractive buildings, greenery)
-Annotated photographs (litter, crime evidence)
Limitations of primary data collection
-Differing opinions (subjective)
-Reached the sites at different times of day (Hale in rush hour, others in middle of day)
