Glossary AT1

Question 1

Atmosphere

Answer 1

The gaseous layer that acts as a barrier between space and the surface of the earth.

Question 2

Geography

Answer 2

The study of the Earth’s land, features, people, and environment

Question 3

Physical Geography

Answer 3

The study of Earth’s natural features, including landforms, climate, water bodies, and ecosystems

Question 4

Human Geography

Answer 4

How ppl interact with the environment, including cultures, economies, populations, and urban development

Question 5

Hydrosphere

Answer 5

Includes all of the water on the earth, such as oceans, rivers, lakes, etc

Question 6

Lithosphere/Geosphere

Answer 6

The solid part of the earth, like rocks and soil

Question 7

Biosphere

Answer 7

Flora and Fauna, basically all living things

Question 8

Pedosphere

Answer 8

Earth’s soil layer, where land, air, water, and living things interact.

Question 9

Upwelling

Answer 9

A process where cold, nutrient-rich water from the deep rises to the surface, replacing warmer, less nutrient-rich water that has moved away from the coast

Question 10

Altitude

Answer 10

The height of something above a reference point, usually above sea level

Question 11

Latitude

Answer 11

‘Flatitude’ The distance N or S of the equator, measured in degrees; how far a place is from the equator N or S

Question 12

Continents

Answer 12

The large landmasses of Earth

Question 13

Oceans

Answer 13

Large bodies of saltwater

Question 14

Seasons

Answer 14

Different climate at different parts of the year, based off earths tilt

Question 15

Desertification

Answer 15

Fertile land becomes desert typically as a result of drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture.

Question 16

Conduction

Answer 16

Transfer of heat from a warmer object to a colder one through molecule interaction

Question 17

Convection

Answer 17

Movement of particles through a substances, transporting heat from hotter areas to cooler areas

Question 18

Condensation

Answer 18

Process of gaseous water turning to liquid water

Question 19

Lapse Rate vs Environmental Lapse Rate (ELR)

Answer 19

The lapse rate is the general term for the rate at which temperature decreases with altitude, while the ELR specifically refers to the actual rate of temperature change with height in the atmosphere at a given time and location (around 6.5°C per 1km)

Question 20

Maritime

Question 21

Orographic Rainfall

Answer 21

Rainfall that results when a moist body of air is forced to rise due to a topographic (physical) feature (usually a mountain)

Question 22

Orographic uplift

Answer 22

When a moving maritime air mass meets a topographic feature, some of the air HAS to rise up over it

Question 23

Insolation

Answer 23

The amount of solar radiation received at a location on Earths surface.
Cloudy - around 6-45% of energy reaches the surface
Clear - around 88% “ “ “ “ “

Question 24

Albedo

Answer 24

The fraction of light that a surface reflects. If all light is reflected, albedo = 1, but if 30% reflects, albedo = 0.3.
Dark surfaces absorb/dont reflect
Light surfaces reflect

Question 25

Water budget

Answer 25

The balance between water Inputs (precipitation) and Outputs (river outflow, water use, transpiration) in a specific area. Flows refers to water moving around (evap., infiltration, runoff)

Question 26

Catchment Area

Answer 26

An area that catches water and moves it to the lowest point. Made up of rivers and streams

Question 27

Slow-onset flood

Answer 27

A flood that develops over days or weeks due to prolonged rainfall or gradual water release

Question 28

Rapid-onset flood

Answer 28

A flood that occurs within hours to a few days after heavy rainfall or other water surges

Question 29

Flash flood

Answer 29

A sudden and extreme flood that happens within minutes to hours of intense rainfall or dam failure

Question 30

Drought

Answer 30

Prolonged periods of below-average rainfall. Inhibit the growth of crops and natural vegetation

Question 31

Land Degradation

Answer 31

Decline in land health and productivity, often due to human activities or natural processes; Reduction in ability to support ecosystems and human livelihoods.

Question 32

Topsoil

Answer 32

The uppermost layer of soil, rich in nutrients and essential for plant growth.

Question 33

Humus

Answer 33

Dark, organic material in soil made from decomposed plants and animals.

Question 34

Socio-economic

Answer 34

In relation to both money (economy) and people's lives (society).

Question 35

Biodiversity Hotspot

Answer 35

A place rich in biodiversity (over 1500 endemic species (plants + animals)), but it has also lost at least 70% of its natural vegetation. Theres 36 worldwide

Question 36

Endemic Species

Answer 36

Species (plants and animals) that are naturally found in specific geographical areas and nowhere else (could be one or more areas)

Question 37

Anthropocentric Worldview

Answer 37

A view in which humans are seen as ‘unnatural’, seeing humans being dominant to every other lifeform. It sees the earth as a place that's entirely available to human usage.

Question 38

Ecocentric Worldview

Answer 38

A view in which humans are seen as connected to nature, just like any other living organism, rather than humans being superior to every other organism.

Question 39

Overview effect

Answer 39

A perspective shift astronauts get from seeing Earth from space, and seeing it as a fragile, interconnected whole without borders, which promotes seeing humanity as one collective group rather than divided by nationality, race, or religion

Question 40

Ecosystems 'intrinsic value'

Answer 40

The ecosystem's value independent of human use. It gives nature, ecosystems, and landscapes value, even if they don't benefit humans.

Question 41

Global Common

Answer 41

Resources that no individual or country owns or has legal responsibility for; they're shared resources. e.g High Seas (International Waters), Atmosphere, Outer Space, and Antarctica

Question 42

EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone)

Answer 42

Countries have control of their (EEZ), which is the ocean and ocean bed 200 nautical miles (370km) from their coastline. Countries are free to fish and mine and to give other nations the rights to mine or fish in their EEZ.

Question 43

Isolated System?

Answer 43

Prevent the exchange of matter and energy with their surroundings (these don't exist in the natural world)

Question 44

Closed Systems?

Answer 44

Permit the exchange of energy but not matter

Question 45

Open systems?

Answer 45

Can exchange both energy and matter