Geography 4.1.2 Physical and Human Processes & Landscape

What geological processes can occur?

• Weathering: breakdown of rock in their original place

• Mass movement: weathered material moving down slopes under the influence of gravity

• Erosion, transportation and deposition by rivers

What is the Tees Exe line?

• Geologically the UK is split in half, with an imaginary boundary line running from the Tees estuary in the north-east of England to the Exe estuary in Devon

Features of the Uplands - north west

• Glaciated during the last Ice Age, it is mainly igneous and metamorphic rocks

  • The uplands are found mostly in the north and west of the country: Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and north England (e.g. Lake District, Grampian Mountains and Snowdonia etc.)

  • Climate is wetter and less fluctuating

Features of the Lowlands - south east

• Not glaciated, but heavily influenced by glacial deposition and dominated by sedimentary rocks

• The lowlands are in the south and east of the UK: Central and southern England (e.g. Cotswolds, Norfolk and South Downs)

• Most cities are in lowland areas and along main river courses such as Liverpool on the Mersey, Bristol on the Severn estuary and River Avon etc.

• Climate is drier with a greater temperature range

How has human activity affected the Landscapes?

Settlements

• Settlements grew up where the landscape offered advantages such as:

  • Rivers - meanders in rivers provided good defence locations as well as transport links and fresh water

  • Natural harbours were sites for fishing and trading

  • Natural springs brought reliable freshwater

How has human activity affected the Landscapes?

Agriculture

• Agriculture:

  • UK landscape has been changed through farming

    • Drainage ditches are built to drain water from low-lying land

    • Trees and hedges are cleared away to make room for large agricultural machinery

    • Small fields are combined to make it more profitable for farming but also to use large machinery

How has human activity affected the Landscapes?

Forestry

• Forestry:

  • Planting, managing and care of forest for conservation, natural windbreaks, landscaping, recreation and timber production

  • Many upland areas have been planted with trees, usually in straight lines, making it easier to manage