GCSE Geography B Paper 3: Global Geographical Issues (Topics 7-9)

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key terms and definitions from Topics 7–9 of GCSE Geography B Paper 3 (People and the biosphere; Forests under threat; Consuming energy resources).

Biome

A large-scale ecological community defined by climate and vegetation; one of the nine major biomes (e.g., tropical rainforest, taiga).

Biosphere

The global sum of all living organisms; the layer of Earth’s surface between the lithosphere and the atmosphere.

Latitude

Affects temperature, precipitation, and sunshine; helps control biome distribution.

Abiotic

Non-living components of an ecosystem (e.g., air, water, rocks, soil).

Biotic

Living components of an ecosystem (plants, animals, microbes).

Provisioning services

Tangible goods from ecosystems, such as food, fuelwood, timber and chemical materials.

Supporting services

Ecosystem processes like nutrient cycling, photosynthesis, and soil formation.

Regulating services

Regulation of environmental processes, including carbon storage and the hydrological cycle.

Cultural services

Non-material benefits from ecosystems, such as tourism, education and well-being.

Carbon sink

A natural reservoir that stores carbon, helping to remove CO2 from the atmosphere.

Carbon sequestration

The process of capturing and storing carbon in vegetation, soils or sediments.

Interception

Rainfall intercepted by vegetation canopy before reaching the ground.

Infiltration

Water seeping from the surface into the soil.

Surface run-off

Water that flows over the ground surface rather than infiltrating.

Deforestation

Removal or clearing of forests, leading to loss of biomes and ecosystem services.

Tropical rainforest

A highly biodiverse biome near the equator with hot, wet climate and multiple vegetation layers.

Taiga

Boreal forest biome with cold climate and coniferous trees; lower biodiversity.

Biodiversity

Variety of life in an area; high in tropical rainforests due to climate and evolution.

Adaptation

Structural/behavioral traits enabling survival in a given climate (e.g., buttress roots, lianas).

Nutrient cycle

Movement of nutrients through living and non-living parts of an ecosystem; rapid in rainforests and can be disrupted by deforestation.

Litter store

Organic matter on the forest floor; in rainforests it decays rapidly.

Biomass store

Living plant and animal matter in an ecosystem; typically large in tropical rainforests.

Lianas

Woody climbing plants that use trees to reach the canopy for light.

Buttress roots

Large roots at the base of tall rainforest trees that provide stability.

Canopy

Upper layer of vegetation in a rainforest; home to many species and important for light capture.

Photosynthesis

Process by which green plants convert light energy into chemical energy, producing oxygen.

Drought

Extended period of low rainfall; can affect nutrient cycling and food webs.

Malthus (pessimistic view)

Theory that population will outstrip resources, leading to checks such as famine or war.

Boserup (optimistic view)

Theory that human innovation will increase resource supply to meet demand.

CITES

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species; international treaty to protect species.

REDD

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation; UN program to conserve forests in developing countries.

Ecotourism

Sustainable tourism that supports conservation and local communities.

Agroforestry

Combination of trees with crops/animals to maintain biodiversity and productivity.

RAMSAR

International treaty that protects wetlands of international importance.

Selective logging

Harvesting only large or valuable trees to reduce forest damage and maintain ecosystem function.

Non-renewable energy

Fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas); finite resources that cannot be renewed on a human timescale.

Renewable energy

Energy sources that are renewably available (wind, solar, hydro).

Recyclable energy

Energy sources that can be reused in energy cycles (e.g., nuclear and some biofuels).

Fossil fuels

Coal, oil and natural gas; finite resources whose burning releases CO2.

Peak oil

Hypothetical point at which half of known oil reserves have been extracted.

Tar sands

Unconventional oil extraction from bitumen sand; energy-intensive with environmental concerns.

Shale gas

Natural gas extracted from shale formations, often via fracturing (fracking).

Arctic exploitation

Extraction of oil and gas in Arctic regions; high environmental risk.

Energy efficiency

Using less energy to achieve the same outcome (e.g., LED lighting, efficient appliances).

Energy diversification

Using a mix of energy sources (fossil, renewable, nuclear) to meet demand.

Energy poverty

Lack of access to affordable, reliable energy in developing regions.

LED bulbs

Energy-efficient lighting technology reducing electricity use.

Business as usual

Continuing current energy practices without major changes.

Sustainable future

A future with expanded use of renewables and lower carbon emissions.

OPEC

Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries; influences global oil supply and prices.

Carbon footprint

Total greenhouse gas emissions caused by an individual or organization.

Biodiversity loss

Decline in the variety or number of species in an area.