Geography

What is a producer?

An organism, usually a plant, that makes its own food using photosynthesis.

What is a consumer?

An organism that gets energy by eating plants or other animals.

What is a decomposer?

An organism such as bacteria or fungi that breaks down dead material and returns nutrients to the soil.

What is the nutrient cycle?

The movement of nutrients through plants, animals, soil and water in an ecosystem.

What are abiotic factors?

Non-living parts of an ecosystem, such as climate, soil and water.

What are biotic factors?

Living parts of an ecosystem, such as plants and animals.

What is a biome?

A large-scale ecosystem with similar climate, plants and animals.

How are abiotic and biotic factors linked?

Abiotic factors affect plant growth, and plants affect animals that depend on them.

How can one change in an ecosystem affect the whole food web?

If producers decrease, consumers lose food and populations fall.

What is the difference between a food chain and a food web?

A food chain is linear; a food web shows interconnected chains.

What small-scale ecosystem did we study?

Ladies Pool, Blakedown, Stourbridge.

Give an example of a pond food chain.

Algae or water lilies → minnows → perch → heron.

What are the two scales of ecosystem change?

Local scale and global scale.

How can humans damage a small-scale ecosystem?

Fertilisers cause eutrophication, water abstraction lowers water levels, deforestation destroys habitats.

Where are tropical rainforests located?

Near the Equator, mainly in South America, Africa and Asia.

What is the climate like in tropical rainforests?

Hot, wet and humid all year with little seasonal change.

What are rainforest soils like?

Thin and infertile because heavy rainfall leaches nutrients.

What is biodiversity?

The variety of plant and animal species in an ecosystem.

Name the four layers of the rainforest.

Emergent layer, canopy, shrub layer, forest floor.

How are rainforest plants adapted?

Drip-tip leaves, waxy coating, buttress roots and lianas to reach sunlight.

How are rainforest animals adapted?

Long limbs for climbing, live in canopy, camouflage.

Why are tropical rainforests found near the Equator?

Strong sunlight and low pressure create heavy rainfall.

Why are polar regions cold all year?

Low sun angle and ice reflects heat away.

Where is the deforestation case study?

Sarawak, Malaysia.

What causes deforestation in Malaysia?

Logging, road building, mining, energy development and palm oil farming.

What are the negative environmental impacts of deforestation?

Soil erosion, loss of habitats and biodiversity, climate change.

What are the positive economic impacts of deforestation?

Jobs, trade, improved infrastructure and economic growth.

What are the negative economic impacts of deforestation?

Pollution, loss of tourism and profits leaving the country.

Why should rainforests be protected?

Biodiversity, climate regulation, medicines, resources and cultural value.

How can rainforests be managed sustainably?

Selective logging, replanting, conservation, ecotourism, education and international agreements.

What is a desert?

An area with very low rainfall.

What is the climate like in a hot desert?

Very low rainfall, very hot days and cold nights.

How are desert plants adapted?

Spines instead of leaves, waxy skin, long roots, water storage.

How are desert animals adapted?

Store water, large feet, long eyelashes, often nocturnal.

What are the opportunities in the Thar Desert?

Mining, farming, energy production and tourism.

What are the challenges in the Thar Desert?

Extreme heat, lack of water, inaccessibility and fragile environment.

What is desertification?

The spread of desert conditions into non-desert areas.

What causes desertification?

Climate change, overgrazing, overcultivation, deforestation and population pressure.

How can desertification be reduced?

Tree planting, soil management, water management, appropriate technology and education.

What is the source of a river?

The place where a river begins.

Name the four erosion processes in rivers.

Hydraulic action, abrasion, attrition and solution.

Name the four transport processes in rivers.

Traction, saltation, suspension and solution.

Why do rivers deposit material?

When velocity drops and the river loses energy.

How is a waterfall formed?

Soft rock erodes faster, forming a plunge pool, undercutting, collapse and retreat creating a gorge.

How is a meander formed?

Faster flow erodes outer bend, slower flow deposits on inner bend.

How do levees form?

Floodwater deposits larger material first at river banks.

What is lag time?

The time between peak rainfall and peak discharge.

What physical factors cause flooding?

Heavy rain, saturated ground, steep slopes, impermeable rock and snowmelt.

What human factors cause flooding?

Deforestation, urbanisation and agriculture.

Name hard engineering river methods.

Dams, embankments, straightening and flood relief channels.

Name soft engineering river methods.

Floodplain zoning, warnings, afforestation and river restoration.

What is urbanisation?

The increase in the proportion of people living in cities.

How does urbanisation vary globally?

Higher in HICs, lower in LICs.

What is a megacity?

A city with over 10 million people.

Why are megacities growing?

Migration and natural increase.

Why has Rio de Janeiro grown?

Jobs and migration from rural areas.

What social challenges does Rio face?

Poor healthcare, low education and lack of clean water.

What economic challenges does Rio face?

Unemployment, low wages and informal work.

What environmental challenges does Rio face?

Air pollution, traffic, water pollution and waste.

How has Rio improved environmental issues?

Metro systems, sewer treatment, toll roads and clean-up projects.

What is sustainability?

Meeting present needs without harming future generations.

What are the three types of sustainability?

Social, economic and environmental.

How has Birmingham been regenerated?

Big City Plan, new transport, retail and business developments.

Why has traffic congestion increased?

More people, more cars and limited public transport.

What are the effects of traffic congestion?

Pollution, delays, accidents and economic loss.

How can traffic be managed?

Public transport, park and ride, cycle lanes and congestion charges.