Geography and Environmental Science Concepts

These flashcards cover key concepts in geography and environmental science based on the provided lecture notes.

Geography

The study of place that can be pursued in almost any discipline, applying scientific methods.

Scientific Method

An iterative process involving observation, hypothesis formation, experimentation, and evaluation.

Empirical Knowledge

A pursuit of knowledge through experience, emphasizing observation and experimentation over theory.

Geographic Information System (GIS)

A computational tool that integrates diverse spatial datasets.

Deciduous Tree

A tree species that sheds its leaves in autumn and regrows new foliage in spring.

Habitat

A natural environment providing food, water, shelter, and space for organisms living within it.

Ecosystem

A complex system including all living organisms in an area and the flow of energy and nutrients.

Map Projection

A method for representing the Earth's curved surface on a flat map, each with inherent distortions.

Coordinates

A coordinate system based on angular measurements used to locate positions on Earth's surface.

Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM)

A coordinate system using meters for northing and easting to represent locations.

Magnetic Declination

The angular difference between the Earth’s magnetic north and true north.

Azimuth

A horizontal angle measured clockwise from north, used to define direction in navigation.

Triangulation

A navigation technique using known points to find the location of an unknown point.

Positioning by Azimuth

Determining one’s location by measuring azimuths to two or more known points.

Global Positioning System (GPS)

A satellite-based navigation system consisting of satellites, ground stations, and receivers.

Accuracy

The degree to which a measured value matches the true or accepted value.

Precision

The consistency or repeatability of a measurement, regardless of its accuracy.

Satellite Constellation

The portion of GPS consisting of satellites transmitting signals to receivers on Earth.

Ground Station

Ground-based monitoring stations that track GPS satellites and ensure signal accuracy.

GPS Receiver

The devices used by individuals to determine position, velocity, and time.

Temperature

A measure of the average kinetic energy or heat content of a material or the atmosphere.

Solar Radiation

Incoming solar radiation received by Earth's surface, varying daily and seasonally.

Albedo

The reflectivity of a surface, indicating how much sunlight is reflected versus absorbed.

Conduction

Transfer of heat through direct contact between substances of different temperatures.

Convection

Heat transfer through fluid movement, such as air or water circulation.

Latent Heat Transfer

Energy exchange through phase changes of water (e.g., evaporation, condensation).

Barometer

An instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure, helping predict weather changes.

Pressure Gradient

The rate of pressure change over a given distance; drives wind from high to low pressure areas.

Coriolis Effect

The deflection of moving air or fluids due to Earth’s rotation.

Anemometer

A device that measures wind speed.

Wind Vane

An instrument that indicates wind direction.

Absolute Humidity

The absolute amount of water vapor in the air, measured in grams per kilogram.

Relative Humidity

The ratio of current water vapor content to the maximum possible at a given temperature.

Dew Point

The temperature at which air becomes saturated with moisture.

Water Cycle

The continuous movement of water through evaporation, precipitation, and infiltration.

Evapotranspiration

Combined water loss from the Earth's land and oceans through evaporation and plant transpiration.

Canopy Interception

Precipitation caught by vegetation before reaching the ground.

Infiltration

Process of water entering the soil surface and moving downward into the ground.

Groundwater Recharge

Replenishment of groundwater stored in aquifers through infiltration or percolation.

Subsurface Flow

Movement of water beneath the Earth's surface within aquifers.

Streamflow

The volume of water flowing through a river cross-section per unit of time.

Watershed

An area of land where all water drains to a common outlet such as a river or lake.

Eutrophication

Nutrient enrichment of water bodies leading to excessive plant and algae growth, reduced oxygen.