VCE Geography

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VCE GeographyUnit 1:Natural EnvironmentsOverviewThis unit investigates the geographic characteristics of natural environments and the natural processes that shape and change the earths surface.

It investigates how the interactions between natural processes and human activities can also change natural environments.

The worlds physical environment is composed of four natural systems: atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere.

Human activities interact with natural processes, each affecting the other.

Students investigate at least two natural environments.Area of study 1.Characteristics of natural environmentsThis area of study focuses on natural environment at two different scales, comparing and contrasting their geographic characteristics, for e.g. Location, climate, soils, drainage, natural vegetation and topography.

It investigates natural processes, including extreme natural events, that create and change landforms, landscapes and environments.

Topics will include

Forests

Rivers

Key KnowledgeThe earths four natural systemsBiosphere, lithosphere, Hydrosphere, atmosphereLandforms that make up landscapesNatural processes and factors that create natural environmentsGeographic characteristics of natural environmentsDistribution of natural environments at different scales

Key SkillsFieldwork Collect, sort, process and represent spatial dataIdentify and describe geographic characteristicsAnalyse and explain data

Area of study 2Changes in natural environments

Changes In natural environmentsThis area of study focuses on the dynamic nature of natural environments and the contribution of the various agents of change such as weathering, erosion, transportation and deposition as well as human activity.It explores the nature of change and the dimensions of change in different environments.

Topics may include:Deforestation Logging FireClimate changeTourismUrban expansionConservation (e.g. National parks)

Key KnowledgeTypes of changes to natural environments produced by natural processes and human activity

Nature, rate and scale of interactions between natural environments and human activity

The impact of change on natural environments and human activity

The importance of the interactions between natural processes and human activity in influencing changes to natural environments, including the management of change.

Key SkillsFieldwork

Process and represent data

Describe and analyse data about changes to natural environments produced by the interaction between natural processes and human activity

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