Year 9 Geography Exam Revision

Topic 1: Sustainable Biomes

1. What is a biome?
A BIOME is the largest geographic biotic unit, a major community of plants and animals with similar life
forms and environmental conditions.
2. What is a biosphere?
The biosphere encompasses all living things, from the creatures on the ocean floor and the animals
burrowing into the soil to the plants anchored to the earth’s surface and the insects floating high in the
atmosphere. It includes all the living organisms and their excrement (waste) ad dead remains. It also includes
the non-living environment, which is made up of rocks, water and air.
3. What are the different types of biomes?
There are 8 different types of biomes in the world. These include:
 Tropical Rainforest
 Tropical Savanna
 Desert
 Chaparral
 Grassland
 Temperate Deciduous Forest
 Temperate Boreal Forest
 Tundra
4. Provide characteristics for each of the biomes.
a. Tropical Rainforest
 Typically found near the equator
 Receives more than 200cm of rain annually
 Temperatures typically fall between 20°C and 25°C for the entire year
 As many as 50% of all the world’s animal species may be found here
b. Tropical Savanna
 Grasslands with a few scattered trees
 Experience a wet and dry season
 Hot temperatures
 Annual rainfall is between 50 and 127 cm
 More species of grazing mammals than any other biome
c. Desert
 Typically found between 25° and 40° latitude
 Receives less than 25 cm of rain each year
 Temperatures typically range between 20°C and 25°C but some extreme deserts can reach
temperatures higher than 38°C and lower than -15°C
d. Chaparral
 Found between 32° and 40° altitude on the west coast of continents
 Receives between 35 and 70 cm of rain, usually in the winter
 Extremely resistant to drought and weather events
e. Grassland
 Because of the dry climate, tress are found only near water sources such as streams
 Usually receives between 50 and 90 cm of rainfall each year
 Summer temperatures can reach up to 38°C, and winter temperatures can fall to -40°C
f. Temperate Deciduous Forest
 Moderate climate
 Most trees will lose their leaves in the winter
 Temperatures range between - 30°C and 30°C
 Averages from 75 to 150 cm of precipitation
 Well developed understory
g. Temperate Boreal Forest
 Also known as Taiga
  Typically found between 45° and 60° North latitude
 Cold climate with summer rains
 Very few reptiles
 Limited understory
 Snow is primary for of precipitation (40 – 100 cm annually)
h. Tundra
 Means treeless or marshy plain
 Characterised by permafrost – permanently frozen soil starting as high as a few centimetres below
the surface – which severely limits plant growth
 Winter temperatures average - 34°C while summer temperatures usually average below 10°C
 Low precipitation (15-25 cm per year) but ground is usually wet because of low evaporation
5. Describe the importance of precipitation and temperature on biomes.
Rainfall is the main component of precipitation (sleet, snow, hail and dew are the other forms). Water is
critical for plant growth and is essential for animals. In areas with low levels of precipitation, such as deserts,
life is limited. Plants and animals have to become highly specialised and diversity is limited.
Temperature is another key factor in determining the distribution of ecosystems on a global scale. Most
plants prefer a temperature range of between 10°C and 35°C. Outside this range, photosynthesis is more
challenging and plant growth is limited. Less plant growth means less food available for animals.
There is a strong link between precipitation, temperature and latitude. Solar energy is a key factor in
determining temperature, and the Equator has the most constantly warm temperatures. Precipitation is also
affected by solar insulation. When solar energy is high, the amount of evaporation increases and rain is more
likely.
6. Which is the largest biome in Australia?
Desert
7. How do humans impact the different biomes?
Biome Percentage Vegetation Effect of people on the ecosystem
of the
world’s
land
Equatorial and 8 Many different types of trees; dense The effect depends on the type of
tropical layers of plants: adapted to high use:
rainforest rainfall throughout the year.  hunters and gatherers: very
little effect
 shifting cultivators: large short-
term effect, when forest is
cleared; after fields are
abandoned, forest regrows;
that is, medium-term effect
 timber-cutting: large effect
over large areas
 clearing for farming: large
effect as forest is totally
removed
Temperate 7 Forests of different trees, many of Many of the world’s temperate
forest which are deciduous; trees adapted forests have been cleared and the
to moderate rainfall and cool land used for crop growing. People
winters, warm summers have had major effect on this
ecosystem
Coniferous (or 14 Forests of evergreen trees, mainly People have charged some areas
boreal) forest conifers; trees adapted to cold more than others. In Canada and
winters and low rainfall. the eastern part of Russia, some
forests have not been used. In the
USA and Norway, they are used for
grazing and herding. In western
areas of Russia, the effect of people
 is higher as the forests have been
cleared for crop growing.
Savanna 24 Areas near Equator have trees and Major effect of people:
(grassland) grasses; closer to deserts, grasses  herding and ranching: fires
dominate: grasses adapted to a wet have been used to clear trees
and dry season. and encourage grasses
 areas of overgrazing: high stock
numbers cause erosion
 grasslands ploughed for crops:
danger of erosion
Temperate 7 Tall grasses in wetter areas, and Most of these grasslands have been
grassland scattered trees; shorter grasses cleared and ploughed for crop
where drier. growing. Areas of grassland have
been improved, or replanted with
better grasses, for livestock grazing.
Mediterranean 1 Shrubs and trees adapted to Most vegetation has been cleared
summer drought and winter rains. and soil ploughed for tree crops and
other crops; some grazing.
Hot desert 21 Sparse cover of shrubs and grasses; Areas in Africa and Asia are used for
plants adapted to low rainfall and nomadic herding. In the USA,
long periods without rain. Australia and South America, they
are used for ranching
(cattle/sheep). Very fragile
ecosystem; although stock numbers
are low, many areas are overgrazed
and erosion is a problem.
Tundra 5 Mosses, lichens and plants adapted People have had very little effect,
to cold temperatures and low although tourism can destroy the
rainfall. vegetation.
Polar 11 Ice caps: no vegetation. People have had little direct impact
on ice caps, but fishing of krill and
other marine life is having an effect
on polar ecosystems. Also, pollution
from water areas is starting to
affect marine life.
Cities and 2 Natural vegetation cleared and Major impact, as people change the
industrial people build new environment nature of the ecosystem. Pollution
areas (houses, roads, and factories). of air and water is having a major
impact on all the world’s
ecosystems.
8. What are some of the environmental factors affecting crop yields?
 Aerial environment
Crops extend their stalks and leaves up into the atmosphere, taking in carbon dioxide and oxygen, and
trapping solar energy. Temperature and precipitation are both very important and determine the types
of crops that can be grown within a region. Most crops have a certain temperature and precipitation
regime within which they grow well.
 Soil environment
The roots of plants anchor them into the ground and also provide the means by which they absorb
water, mineral nutrients and oxygen. The type and condition of soils can place significant restrictions on
the productivity of crops. The nutrient level, water-holding capability and structure of soils are natural
variables that either support or hinder growth. Fertile soils provide crops with all they need, but infertile
soils impose limitations on growth and development.
 Topography
The shape of the land surface can also restrict landuse, and is often related to soil type. Slope generally
determines if the land can be cultivated safely. The most is usually found on flat valley bottoms or plains
where soils are deep and fertile. Typically, such areas are used to produce high-yielding crops. Steep
 slopes and ridge tops are unsuitable for cultivation as they have thin, stony soils and are an erosion
hazard if the land is disturbed. Terracing is one method people have developed to turn steep sloping
land into crop-supporting land.
9. How does technology improve yields of crops?
The adoption of new farm technologies has raised crop yields in a number of ways:
Mechanisation has improved the speed and efficiency of cultivating large areas of land and harvesting the
crop quickly
Plant breeding has provided new high-yielding varieties of plants that grow vigorously, are more resistant to
diseases or are able to do well in a wider range of conditions.
Agrochemicals have been developed to protect plants and improve growth rates. These include herbicides,
pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, fertilisers and growth hormones.
Irrigation has become highly sophisticated. Piezometers use soil probes to measure soil moisture and, when
needed, irrigation water is applied to meet plant needs.
NEW BREEDING TECHNOLOGIES
Scientific research into new varieties of crops and breeds of animals uses genetics to shape strains that are
more suitable for human needs. New hybrid crops have much higher yields, ripen more quickly during
shorter summers and are disease resistant. Breeding programs using artificial insemination have boosted
livestock productivity, with more meat or milk and more offspring.
EXPANSION OF LAND UNDER IRRIGATION
About 20 per cent of arable land is now irrigated, overcoming the limitation fo water shortages. Irrigated
land is very productive, providing 40 per cent of global food. It has been especially important in China and
India, where the high yields have helped feed their growing populations
WIDESPREAD USE OF AGROCHEMICALS
The cultivation of modern varieties of crops have necessitated the intensive use of chemicals fertilisers to
retain nutrient levels in the soil and chemicals to control weeds and pests that damage the crop or compete
with it for water and nutrients.
PRECISION AGRICULTURE
Agricultural land is variable and consequently productivity is variable. The development of precision
agriculture, involving new technologies such as soil sensors, yield monitors, global positioning systems (GPS
and geographical information systems (GIS), has given farmers the sophisticated tools they need to
recognise the variations within their paddocks. They are then able to manage the land differently and more
efficiently.
PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY
In addition to traditional research from agricultural scientists, plant biotechnology research has improved
productivity and enabled advances in overcoming environmental limitations such as drought and salinity.
Biotechnology includes genetic engineering and the transfer of genes from unrelated plants and micro-
organisms to develop crops with desirable traits. While improvements in production have been realised,
there is some consumer concern about the effects of genetically modified food.

Topic 2: Changing Places

1. What is urbanisation?‘
Urbanisation is the movement of people from rural areas to large cities, and occurs because of a number of
push and pull factors. The most rapid rates of urbanisation are found in developing countries.
PUSH FACTORS PULL FACTORS
 Landlessness  Employment opportunities
 War and civil disobedience  Promise of higher standards of living
 Intolerance of alternative lifestyles  Entertainment
 Desertification  Medical facilities
 Rapid population growth  Educational opportunities
 Rural poverty
 Lack of educational opportunity
 Transfer of land from subsistence to
commercial (export-orientated)
production
2. What is a megacity?
A megacity is a city with more than 10 million inhabitants. In 1980 there was just one megacity, New York; by
2011, there were twenty-three. Of the ten largest megacities, seven are in Asia (Tokyo, Delhi, Shanghai,
Mumbai, Beijing, Dhaka and Kolkata), one is in South America (São Paulo) and one is in Central America
(Mexico City). New York City is the only megacity in the developed world in the top ten. The distribution of
the world’s largest cities is shown on Figure 6.1.5.
3. Where is Australia’s population primarily concentrated? Why?
The closely settled coastal strip contains always all the major urban centres and most of the large-scale
industries and businesses. More than 86 per cent of the population, or 19.6 million people. Live in urban
centres. Fifty-four per cent of the population, or 12.3 million, live in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and
Adelaide. This is due to:
 Perception of better employment opportunities in cities
 Promises of better access to essential services
 Better health facilities
 Greater educational opportunities
 More access to entertainment and recreation activities
4. What are the positives and negatives associated with urbanisation?
Consequences Positive Negative
of urbanisation
Economic  Better employment prospects and  Although there are better employment
higher wages prospects, often there are more people
 Urban businesses benefit from moving to urban areas than there are
workers with a greater variety of skills jobs. Therefore getting a job becomes
competitive. Those who cannot get a
job may live in poverty, be homeless or
beg on the streets
Social  Government leaders tend to plan  Fertility rates tends to drop in urban
effectively and consider their urban areas. This could be argued to be either
areas’ diverse needs, and try to take a positive or a negative
into account future needs  Traditional concept of family can
 Greater accessibility to services such change
as water, education, and health care  Despite more people living in urban
 Opportunity for people to share areas, social isolation can still occur as
resources and bond as a community now residents acclimatise, having
negative social impacts
Environmental  Development of infrastructure in the  Industrialisation tends to occur with
urban environment urbanisation and subsequently the
 Access to new technologies in the burning of fossil fuels increases. This
urban environment directly relates to the rise of carbon
dioxide levels in our atmosphere and
speeds up global warming
 Increase in air and water pollution
 Pressure placed on water and sewerage
systems
 Traffic congestion
 Deforestation due to land development
and resulting loss of flora and fauna
5. What are some of the main consequences of urbanisation?
Impact on rural areas
When people move from rural areas of the city there are consequences in rural areas.
 MORE DEVELOPED
In most developed countries, such as Australia, it is usually young people and people with young
families who migrate to the cities. There can be severe effects on rural areas when families move to the
cities. These effects include primary school closures due to lack of students, and shop and service
closures because the remaining population is too small to support them.
 LESS DEVELOPED
 In less developed countries it is usually men between the ages of 15 and 45 wh migrate to the cities.
This means that families are split up. If the family goes too, the loss of a family can have an even more
severe effects on the area they leave. Often the elderly are left in the countryside – those who are least
able to look after themselves and tend the land.
Environmental impacts
 CARBON EMISSIONS
Cities cover 3 per cent of the land’s surface but are responsible for 70-75 per cent of carbon emissions
from fossil fuels. Megacities are the biggest contributions to human-induced carbon emissions.
Populations in cities are increasing and carbon emissions are increasing faster than population growth.
The World Bank predicts that in the developing world megacities will grow by 4 per cent while their
carbon emissions will grow by 10 per cent in the next 20 years. People living in cities on average uses 5-
10 times more energy than those living in rural areas.
 URBAN HEAT ISLAND EFFECT
The heat island effect occurs when cities are warmer than the surrounding areas. The heat comes from
built surfaces such as roads and buildings, which absorb heat during the day and slowly release it at
night.
 WATER CONSUMPTION
Cities use large amounts of water and produce large quantities of wastewater. As cities increase in size
by population and area there is increased pressure on:
 access to safe water
 proper sanitation
 stormwater and wastewater disposal
6. Why do people move to large cities?
Pull factors are defined as reasons why a person would want to move to a particular area. Some of the pull
factors for urbanisation are:
7. Why are people pushed out of regional areas to larger cities?
Push factors are defined as reasons that force a person to leave their place of residence. Some of the push
factors for rural areas are:
 Being forced off the land by owner of the land
 War and civil unrest
 Failure of subsistence farmer’s crops
 Extremes of weather (floods or droughts) that destroy crops
 Rapid increases in population
 Lower standards of living in rural areas
 Boredom with rural life
 Increased mechanisation of farming leading to loss of employment
8. Describe the positive and negative social aspects of city living.
Social attractions
Those who find city living an enriching experience enjoy their contact with others and take advantage of the
opportunities available. Those include the following.
 Social interaction With so many living in cities there are more opportunities to socialise and make
friends People ca also take advantage of the ethnic, community and lifestyle diversity that large cities
have to offer. Some areas become popular within particular demographic groups, for example young
professionals or tourist populations. Other neighbourhoods may become identified with particular
ethnicities.
 Cultural enrichment The bright lights and excitement of cities attract people. There is a broader and
more diverse range of activities for people to choose from. People are able to go shopping, visit galleries
and museums, go to the theatre and attend sporting events.
Social disadvantages
Some people find living in the midst of so many others confronting and difficult, for the following reasons.
 Stress The fast pace of city life is not for everyone. Many people become frustrated when they are
held up by traffic or unable to find a parking spot. Much of the stress associated with city living Is
financial. With house prices and rents so high, people settle for tiny apartments close to where they
work, which may not be what they would prefer. Others who choose to live further out face long
journeys, with tolls to pay and higher transport costs.
 Crime Many people do not feel safe in large cities. The large numbers of people, properties and retail
outlets mean more opportunities for crime.
  Isolation People in large cities can be anonymous, and can suffer from isolation and loneliness. People
are not always interested in helping those they do not know and contributing the communities they
may belong to only briefly. In a very sad illustration of such isolation, in 2011 the remains of an elderly
woman who had died eight years earlier were discovered in a terrace house in Sydney’s Surry Hills.
9. What are some of the push and pull factors of urbanisation? Compare the issues faced in Australia to a
developing city.
PUSH FACTORS PULL FACTORS
 Overpopulated  Entertainment
 Pollution  Access to Public Transport
 High Crime Rate  Education - Greater choice of schools and
 Traffic congestion Universities
 Poverty due to drug use etc.  Variety of restaurants, cafés, bars, clubs
 Housing Affordability - High house prices  Better job opportunities
 Pressure to build sustainable infrastructure,  Greater diversity
public transport  Greater sport facilities
 Destroying cultural heritage
 Greater social opportunities
 High rates of accidents
 Easier access to facilities e.g. government
 Lack of community
departments, banks
 Noise and traffic
 Culturally diverse e.g. food
 Limited 'green' areas for children to play
 Problems associated with population dense areas  More support to people with disabilities
e.g. drunk and disorderly behaviour  Access to health facilities
 Greater inequality between rich and poor  More choice for consumers
 Isolation
10. What are the negative impacts of people moving into large cities? Compare the issues faced in Australia to a
developing city.
Australia
The disadvantages of urban areas are:
 traffic congestion
 air pollution
 polluted rivers and creeks
 expensive housing
 a lack of a sense of community
 higher levels of crime.
Developing Countries
 Economic outcomes
The benefits of urbanisation are not evenly distributed. Up to 40 per cent of Asia’s urban population live
in slums and squatter settlements. The lack of access to clean water and sanitation means waterborne
diseases spread rapidly. The infrastructure needs of cities (roads, schools, hospitals for urban residents)
are often met at the expense of rural communities
 Social outcomes
In an attempt to keep pace with the demand for housing and the rate of economic growth, authorities
have demolished whole urban districts – destroying the cultural the cultural, social and built heritage of
the area. Residents are often forced to relocate, and the sense of community that existed is destroyed.