Geo S1 Exam

Biome

A large ecosystem characterized by a particular climate and its dominant plants and animals.

Anthrome

Modified biomes or anthropogenic biomes restructured for agricultural, mining and urban functions.

Ecosystem

The result of interactions of living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) elements, including flora and fauna.

Lithosphere

The abiotic component of ecosystems that refers to land.

Hydrosphere

The abiotic component of ecosystems that refers to water.

Atmosphere

The abiotic component of ecosystems that refers to air.

Aquatic ecosystem

Water-based ecosystems, divided into freshwater (e.g., rivers and lakes) and marine (e.g., oceans and coral reefs).

Terrestrial ecosystem

Land-based ecosystems, including deserts, rainforests, tundra, grasslands, woodlands, and forests.

Tundra

The coldest biome characterized by frost-molded landscapes, low temperatures, little precipitation, and poor nutrients.

Desert

A biome with extremely dry conditions and very little rainfall, typically less than 250 mm per year.

Boreal forest

A biome with cold temperatures, long winters, and dense coniferous forests, known as taiga.

Tropical forest

A biome with warm temperatures, high humidity, heavy rainfall, high biodiversity, and nutrient-poor soil.

Temperate grassland

Vast open spaces dominated by grasses, with few trees and significant temperature variations between seasons.

Savanna

Rolling grasslands with scattered trees and shrubs.

Temperate forest

A biome with moderate temperatures and abundant rainfall.

Mountain biome

Characterized by high relief, steep slopes, and various microclimates due to elevation changes.

Scrub biome

Dominated by shrubs and other woody plants shorter than trees, along with grasses and other low-growing vegetation.

Global context for biomes

Determined by climate factors, particularly temperature and precipitation, as well as altitude and latitude.

Latitude

A factor that influences biome distribution based on the unequal heating of the Earth's atmosphere.

Altitude

The height above sea level, influencing temperature and biome distribution; temperature drops about 10 degrees for every 1000 metres.

Human modification of ecosystems

Humans alter ecosystems and biomes for resources and food production, as seen in agricultural and urban practices.

Palm oil

Edible vegetable oil extracted from palm fruit, including crude palm oil and palm kernel oil.

Sustainable practices

Methods aimed at producing palm oil without causing extensive environmental harm, pursued by organizations like WWF.

Food security

The state of having reliable access to sufficient quantities of affordable, nutritious food.

Emerging scarcity

The increasing lack of primary resources required to produce food globally.

Dimensions of addressing food security

Includes availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability to ensure sufficient and healthy food.

Urbanization

An increase in the proportion of people living in urban places.

Urban sprawl

The continuous outward spread of urban settlements via suburbanization.

Megacity

A city with a population of over 10 million inhabitants.

World cities

Megacities and large cities in developed countries that hold global significance in trade and finance.

Urban consolidation

Building to allow greater population densities within established urban settlements.

Informal settlement

A type of settlement lacking regulation or legal status, often referred to as a slum.

Clustered distribution of megacities

The tendency for megacities to be concentrated, particularly in the northern hemisphere and along coastlines.

Environmental challenges of megacities

Issues such as poor housing, sanitation, waste disposal, and air pollution caused by rapid urban population growth.

Economic impacts of urbanization

Challenges including traffic congestion and inadequate transport systems in rapidly growing urban areas.

Social consequences of urbanization

Effects such as conflict over resources, leading to riots and protests within urban settings.

Historical causes of urbanization

Factors like advancements in agriculture and trade that led to the growth of cities during the industrial revolution.

Characteristics of megacities

Include rapid population growth, high population density, and the presence of various economic and social challenges.