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AQA GCSE Geography > The Living World - Hot Deserts > Flashcards

The Living World - Hot Deserts Flashcards

(50 cards)

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1
Q

Define a Desert

A

An area recieving less than 250mm of rainfall resulting in extreme arridity

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2
Q

Location of Hot deserts

A

15-30 North and south of the equator

Tropic of cancer and Tropic of capricon

along lines of Longtitude

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3
Q

Explain the location of the worlds deserts

A

Air is sinking near the tropics

Leading to areas of high pressure

This results in no clouds

Temperatures are therefore hot during the day and cold during the night

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4
Q

Diurnal temperature range

A

The difference between the maximum and minumum temperatures within 1 day

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5
Q

Characteristics of soil in deserts

A

Sandy, rocky soils

Typically about 1m deep

Often have little organic matter due to lack of vegetation

May have white powder on surface - salts drawn to the surface by evaporation

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6
Q

why is desert soil dry and not very fertile

A

lack of rainfall and sparse vegetation (little decomposing matter to enrich the soil)

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7
Q

how do plants affect soil and soil affect plants

A

Plants intercept rainfall to prevent soil erosion and excessive leaching

Plants provide shade to keep the soil cool - retain more water

Soils rely on plants to provide extra nutrients through dead vegetation and fixing chemicals

Soil provides the structure for roots to hold and grow

Plants rely on soils for nutrients

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8
Q

How can humans positively impact the interdependence of soils/water/plants/animals in hot deserts

A

sustainable land management practices

Aforestation

Using underground or surface water at a sustainable rate

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9
Q

How can humans negatively impact the interdependence of soils/water/plants/animals in hot deserts

A

Footpath erosion - soil is vulnerable to blowing away

Removal of vegetation

Agriculture - minerals from soil

Mining and mineral extraction businesses

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10
Q

xerophytes

A

plants that can survive in very dry conditions

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11
Q

how do plants adapt to the physical conditions

A

thick waxy cuticles and shedding of leaves to reduce transpiration

roots - shallow and spread over large area or roots than run deep in search of water

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12
Q

Example - Saguaro Cactus

A

Grows very slowly in order to conserve energy

Can store up to 9 tonnes of water

Can lose 82% of its water before dying of dehydration

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13
Q

Example: Fennex Fox

A

Lives in the Sahara Desert

Adapted to cold nights

THick thur for insulation

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14
Q

Example: Camel

A

Lives in Sahara and other deserts

Adapted to not a lot of sources for energy

Fat is stored in the hump - it can bemetabolised for energy

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15
Q

Case study

A

Western Desert, USA

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16
Q

What states does the western desert cover

A

Arizona
New Mexico
California
Neveda
Utah

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17
Q

Tourism in the western desert

A

+ Most important source of income

  • stess on infasturcture
  • Accessibility is difficult
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18
Q

why are tourists attracted

A

Wilderness areas - The Grand Canyon, Joshua Tree
Entertainment - economy of Las Vegas
Water sports - Lake Mead and Lake Powell
The Colarado Museum

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19
Q

Mineral Extraction in the Western Desert

A

+ Source of income

  • possible conflicts with land use
  • enviromental concerns - risk to wildlife and endagered species, contamination of water supplies
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20
Q

Why does mineral extraction occur

A

Rich reserves of copper, uranium and coal

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21
Q

Energy in the Western Desert - The Sonoran Solar Project

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A

+ provides employment
+ Provides energy for 10,000 homes

  • Expensive
22
Q

Why is the sonoran solar project happening

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A

Long sunny days
Strong insolation
Solar power can generate electricity

23
Q

Farming in the western desert

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A

+ economic oppurtunities
+ makes use of land

  • Cost of irrigation
24
Q

Why does farming happen

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A

Desert conditions are generally favourable for agriculture

Low population density

25
WHta are the four main challanges od developing a hot desert
Water supply Climate change Transport + accessibilty Climate
26
Challenges of water supply in a desert area
As temperature increases, Demand increases = not enough supply Colorado river has sotred drinking water and irrigation since 1935 Low rainfall and high evaporation - secure water supply is essential for economic development
27
Challenges of climate change in a desert area
Semi arrid areas are one of the most fragile ecosystems Climate change is disrupting rainfall patterns causing drought
28
Challanges of transport and accessibilty in desert areas
low population density = lack of surfaced roads Access is limited from main cities Limited road network - vast distances and high maintenance costs Sand can blow over roads = tarmac melts Chicago is connected to california through the western desert
29
Challanges of climate in a desert area
High temp = high rates of evaporation = water shortages Working becomes hard for farmer houses have thick walls to stay warm at night, white washed walls to reflect sun during the day Extreme temperatures - hot and no rain
30
Desertification
The prcess of land becoming drier and degrading in quality due to both human activities and natural processes
31
Dessert fringe areas
Semi deserts, semi-arrid areas, dry lands Borders of hot deserts, support greater biodiversity and larger plants despite higher rainfall
32
What are the six causes of deseritfication
Climate change Population growth Removal of fuel wood Overtgrazing Over cultivation Soil erosion
33
how does increasaing population cause desertification
Animals are grazed at higher stock numbers to feed - animals eat more vegetation in the area Land is farmed more intensevly - this farming takes nutrients out of soil and removes the natural vegetation People collect more fire wood to keep warm at night or for cooking - deforestation
34
How does decreaseing vegetation contribute to the 'cycle of desertification'
There are no plants or leaves to intercept rain so soil is left exposed to sun The sun bakes the soil and it cracks When it rains the rainwater runs over the surface of the soil rather than soaking in This means that soil can be washed away The soil is degraded losing fertility and structure Soil is worn out/poor quality and it is harder to grow crops/vegetation
35
Example of a Fringe desert Area
The Sahel
36
Describe the location of The Sahel
5km long Runs from west to East through the North of Africa Runs alongside the great green wall South of the Sahara Desert
37
causes of desertification in the Sahel
Natural - rainfall has decreased Human - Population growth, overgraxing, greater demand for wood
38
What are the causes of population pressure in fringe desert regions
Natural increase - LICs = poor education on contraception Migration to fringe areas - drought, poverty, civil war If desertification occurs people move to fringe deserts
39
Significant factors causing desertification
Climate change - Global warming and rising temperature, changes in rainfall patterns Population factors - High fertility among people, migration, poverty Pressure on resources - Overgrazing, More wood, soil erosion
40
Facts about the Sahel
One of the poorest regions Low preciptation - 100-300mm per year Water scarcity = low crop production
41
3 Strategies to reduce the risk of desertification
Water and Soil management Tree planting Use of appropriate technology
42
Concept of Water and soil management
Involves water storage and attempts to control the surface of water
43
water and soil management example
BUNDS - Low rock walls that follow contour lines - Slows flow of surface water - Soil is deposited on other side - then cultivated
44
Planting trees concept
Protects soil from direct impact of rain Provides shade for vegetation Roads bind to soil to prevent it being blown away
45
Example of Planting trees
The great green wall - Plant trees across the edge of Sahara desert - Tree roots bind to soil preventing it from blowing or eroding - Leaf litter for nutrient cycling protects soil from rainwater - Provide shade to stop ground drying up
46
Use of appropriate technology concept
Using cheap and easy technology Accessible
47
Example of appropriate technology
Alternative cooking devices - efficient stoves - burns small amounts of wood
48
4 factors to think about when discussing appropriate technology
people affordability place sustainable
49
50
Issues relating with biodiversity
- Harsh conditions means low survival rate - Tourism causes pollution - Overgrazing damages soil - Irrigation reduces water availability

AQA GCSE Geography (17 decks)

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