Year 11 Geography IA1 Revision: Land Cover Transformations and Climate Change

Key vocabulary and conceptual terms covering Earth systems, land cover transformations, global warming indicators, and analytical skills for Year 11 Geography IA1.

Land Cover

The physical surface of the earth, including various combinations of vegetation types, soils, exposed rocks, and water bodies, as well as anthropogenic elements such as agriculture and built environments.

Anthropogenic

Relating to or resulting from human influence or activities.

Biophysical

Relating to natural processes and non-human physical and biological environments.

Lithosphere

The Earth's physical system comprising the crust and landmasses.

Atmosphere

The Earth system composed of the mix of gases surrounding the Earth.

Hydrosphere

The Earth system consisting of water, such as oceans, rivers, lakes, and glaciers.

Cryosphere

The frozen water part of the Earth system.

Biosphere (Ecosphere)

The system supported by the non-living systems that supports life, encompassing all living things such as plants, animals, and humans.

Albedo Effect

The reflective capacity of land cover and surface reflectivity to solar radiation.

Thermal Expansion

The process where water molecules expand or grow in size due to increased ocean heat content, contributing to rising sea levels.

IPQE

A four-step framework for interpreting map patterns or spatial distribution in a paragraph: Identify, Pattern, Quantify, and Exception.

ENSO

El Niño-Southern Oscillation; a cyclical climate phenomenon consisting of El Niño and La Niña phases that impact weather patterns in Australia and South America.

Anthropogenic Land Cover Transformations

Human-induced changes to the Earth's surface, including deforestation, expansion and intensification of agriculture, urban expansion, rangeland modification, land reclamation, and mining.

Indicators of Global Warming

Measurable physical signals of climate change, including snowmelt, glacial melt, increased surface temperature, increased ocean heat content, rising sea level, increased ocean temperatures, and increased humidity.