GCSE Physical Geography The Living World Revision

GCSE Physical Geography

The Living World

Revision

Specification

• To learn the make-up of ecosystems and different types.

• Deciduous woodland ecosystems.• Tropical rainforest ecosystems.• Hot desert ecosystems.

Global Distribution• Where about in the world are these located within

the world?• Deciduous forests = brown• Tropical forests = green• Hot deserts = orange

Quiz• How have animals and plants adapted to live in a

tropical rain forest?• Can you name any that we have learnt?

Macaw Bluebells

Diagram A

Sun much lower in the sky.

Sun is overhead and shines straight down onto the ground.

Small area of land to heat up

Large area of land to heat up

Malaysia Case StudyThreats to the rainforest:

Deforestation is Malaysia is increasing faster than in any other tropical country in the world.

Increased by 85% in 2000-2005

Malaysia Case StudyThreats to the rainforest:

1) Logging- clear felling from 1980 was common which led to large areas being cleared. Selective logging now occurs. In 2003 a local penan community was impacted and those that protested were imprisoned.

Malaysia Case StudyThreats to the rainforest:

2) Energy- The $2bm Bakun Dam project in Sarawak (completed 2012) resulted in flooding of hectares of forest. 230km2 of forest to be cut down for it.

Malaysia Case StudyThreats to the rainforest:

3) Mining- tin and smelting the dominant form of mining in the area. Areas clearer for roads. Drilling for gas and oil has started in Borneo.

Malaysia Case StudyThreats to the rainforest:

4) Commercial plantations- major producer of palm oil and rubber. In early 20th century forest was cleared for the rubber plantations.

Today it is known for palm oil, in 1970 vegetation changed to palm oil plantations.

Exploiting The Forest

Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOfHOjnQN00 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fockqVlfUXc

National Forest Policy

‘Selective Management System’.• Encourage alternative timber sources.• Increase research into forestry.• Involve local communities.

National Forest Policy

‘Ecotourism’• Aims to introduce people to the natural world

without causing any environmental damage.• Provide an income for local people.

Exam Questions1. Define ecotourism. (1)

2. Explain why the following features below are classed as ecotourism:

• Local guides used• Buildings use local materials and are

environmentally friendly• Limited transport• Small groups

(Use page 92 for help) (6)

Exam Question3. Name a tropical rainforest area that uses a form of selective logging. Explain why this system is classed as sustainable management. (6)• Use page 91 for help.

Temperate Climate• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swEZ2vnnre4

• The Biome in the UK is a temperate climate.• Rainfall is distributed evenly through out the year,

summers are warm but not too dry, winters are cool but not too cold.

• There is a long growing season lasting up to 7 months.

Exam Question• Explain how the climate, soils and vegetation are in

perfect balance in temperate deciduous woodlands. (8)

• Use pages 81-82 for help in AQA textbook.

Case Study: Epping Forest (Essex)

Epping Forest• 70% of Epping forest is deciduous. • City of London Corporation is in charge of

maintaining the forest.• Used for recreation such as riding, mountain biking,

golf, football.

Pollarding

What is pollarding?

How does it differ from coppicing?

Desert Climate• A desert is an area that receive less than

250mm of rainfall. • Found in dry continental interiors between

30N and 30S• Constant belt of high pressure which

means no clouds.• Soils are sandy with little organic matter

due to little vegetation.

Case Study In A MEDC

Australian Outback

Tourism:BBC top 50 things to do is to watch the sunset at Uluru.400,000 visitors in 2005Can buy aboriginal arts and crafts

BUTCan exploit the aboriginal cultureLearn little about the culture and history- just tick it off the list.

Case Study In A MEDC

Australian Outback

Hunting and gathering:Finding edible plants and animals.They create conditions in which grubs can live and breed.Build dams along the river to catch fish.Use fire to drive out animals for hunting.

The area has now grown a ‘native food’ industry based on traditional aboriginal knowledge of what is edible.

Case Study In A MEDC

Australian Outback

Mining:Most people are involved in this.Some of the worlds largest reserves of iron ore, silver and gems.Coober Pedy in S. Australia is the opal capital of the world. (70%)Most iron ore sent to ChinaHuge ships are loaded up with 250,000 tonnes of iron ore.The demand meant prices rose by 70%

Case Study In A MEDC

Australian Outback

Managing the issues:Farming:Farmers have to use boreholes which may not last.Recent drought is putting pressure on water stores.

Tourism:The new Uluru Aboriginal culture centre educates visitors about the history and culture.Leads outback walks to inform visitors about bush food as well as cultural sites.30 Aboriginal people work there and the admission fees go to the Anagu community.

Case Study In A LEDC

Sahara Desert, Africa

Case Study In A LEDC

Sahara Desert, Africa

Energy:Difficult to find oil and gas reserves.In Algeria they have found oil and half of their income comes from there.Workers travel in and out via plane.40,000 work at Hassi Messaoud.Pipelines have to carry it hundreds of km to the north African coast.

Case Study In A LEDC

Sahara Desert, Africa

Overcoming Energy issues:Within Algeria work has begun to create the first solar power plant in the Sahara desert.The aim is to export solar power to Europe through cables under the Mediterranean sea.

Case Study In A LEDC

Sahara Desert, Africa

Farming and Irrigation:Egypt has a soaring population which has increased from 20 million to 79 million in 25 years. Most live on the heavily irrigated Nile Valley. This irrigated land means that farmers can grow more food, both to feed the growing population and for export.13% Egypt's GDP comes from farming and employs 32% of its labour force.

Case Study In A LEDC

Sahara Desert, Africa

Overcoming Farming and Irrigation issues:Plan to irrigate more land away from the Nile Valley.The Toshka Project will cost $70 billion.Will use pumps and canals to transfer water from Lake Nasser into the Western Desert.- Increase irrigated land area by 30%- Enable high value crops such as olives,

citrus fruits and vegetables.- Promote tourism- Provide food, electricity and jobs for 16

million Egyptians in new owns in the desert.

Case Study In A LEDC

Sahara Desert, Africa

Overcoming Farming and Irrigation issues:Trying to stop desertification:- Restrict the number of farm animals- Growing crops as well as grazing animals- Planting more trees to protect the soil from

wind and rain- Building earth dams to collect and store

water which can be used to water plants.