Humanities Test Revision

Flashcards about Humanities test revision, covering key vocabulary and concepts related to geography, environments, and human impacts on biomes.

Change

The dynamic nature of all processes on earth, whether slow or fast, small or large

Environment

A specific place on earth and all the things, both animate and inanimate, that are there

Interconnection

The relationship between all things, both animate and inanimate, and all processes, both natural and human

Place

A part of the Earth's surface that is identified and given meaning by people

Scale

The level at which a geographical inquiry takes place – personal, local, regional, national or global

Sustainability

The ongoing capacity of the Earth to maintain all life

Space

The way things are arranged on the Earth's surface

Biome

A large geographic area characterised by specific climate conditions, plant life and animal life

Ecosystem

A community of living organisms interacting with each other and their physical environment

Polar lands

Very cold and dry, very little animal life, almost no vegetation

Tundra

Cold, short growing seasons, no trees

Boreal forest

Cold, wet, filled with coniferous trees

Mountain vegetation

Cold and windy, low-lying vegetation that won’t be blown over

Temperate forest

Mild temperatures and wet weather, lots of trees and animal life

Grasslands

Vegetation is mainly grass, can be very dry and wet, depending on the location

Desert

Dry, almost no plants, often located in the centre of continent

Tropical forest

Warm, wet, lots and plant and animal life

Fresh water

Low level of salt, supports animals and aquatic plant life

Marine

Made up of 3 zones, colder and darker the deeper it gets

Coral reefs

Found in warmer waters, close to land, filled with coral and aquatic life that depend on coral

Polar lands - Tundra

This environment is very cold, with little rain and short growing seasons. Few small plants, Animals such as caribou, arctic foxes, snowy owls, and polar bears live in these areas.

Boreal forest

This environment has cold weather and short growing seasons. Trees like spruce, pine, and fir grow here and are suited to the cold. Animals include moose, bears, caribou, lynx, and many types of birds.

Mountain vegetation

This environment is found in high-altitude areas, Animals such as mountain goats, snow leopards, and various bird species inhabit this region

Temperate forest

This environment has many kinds of trees like oak, maple, and beech, as well as shrubs, moss, ferns, and small plants. Animals such as squirrels, deer, bears, insects, frogs, and birds live here.

Grasslands

This area has flat or gently rolling land with lots of grass and few trees. Animals like bison, zebras, and kangaroos eat the grass, while predators like lions and wolves hunt them.

Desert

This environment gets very little rain and can be extremely hot or cold. Only a few tough plants like cacti, succulents, and shrubs can grow there. Animals such as camels, desert snakes, and lizards usually come out at night

Tropical forest

This environment has tall evergreen trees with big leaves that create a thick roof of leaves called a canopy. Animals like monkeys, jaguars, toucans, reptiles, frogs, and many insects live in the rainforest.

Fresh water

This environment includes lakes, rivers, and wetlands, and the water has little salt. Plants like lily pads and cattails grow here. Animals such as fish, frogs, turtles, and water birds live in these areas.

Marine

This environment includes oceans and coral reefs, with salty water. Plants like algae and tiny phytoplankton live here. Animals include fish, whales, dolphins, crabs, and starfish.

Coral reefs

This environment has many types of algae which are important food for other animals. Many fish, sponges, shellfish, crabs, starfish, sea turtles, marine mammals, and seabirds live here.

Impacts on Biomes

Human activities have significantly impacted biomes worldwide through habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change, leading to biodiversity loss and disrupted ecosystem services.

Intensive farming

Produces a lot of food from a small area by using lots of work, money, and technology.

Extensive farming

Uses large areas of land but with less work and resources.

Food security

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

Poverty

People don’t have enough money to buy or grow food.

Poor farming conditions

Some places have bad soil, little water, or harsh weather that make growing food hard.

Conflict and war

Fighting can stop food from being grown or delivered.

Poor infrastructure

Without good roads, storage, or markets, food can’t reach everyone.

Unequal distribution

Even if there is enough food overall, it might not be shared fairly.

War and Changing Weather

Changing weather, like droughts, floods, and hotter temperatures, war and unstable governments, and food prices can have a major impact on food security because crops fail, people leave their homes, and food is not affordable.