CHAPTER 1: Physical Geography – Earth’s Environments and Systems – Flashcards
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Geography
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study of Earth phenomena; includes an analysis of distributional patterns and interrelationships among these phenomena.
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Spatial science
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term used when defining geography as the science that examines phenomena as it is located, distributed, and interacts with other phenomena throughout Earth space.
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Holistic approach
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considering and examining all phenomena relevant to a problem.
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Human geography
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specialization in the systematic study of geography that focuses on the location, distribution, and spatial interaction of human (cultural) phenomena.
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Region
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areas identified by certain characteristics they contain that make them distinctive and separates them from surrounding areas.
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Regional geography
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specialization in the systematic study of geography that focuses on the location, distribution, and spatial interaction of phenomena organized within arbitrary areas of Earth space designated as regions.
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Physical geography
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specialization in the systematic study of geography that focuses on the location, distribution, and spatial interaction of physical (environmental) phenomena.
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Relative location
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location of an object in respect to its position relative to some other object or feature.
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Spatial distribution
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location and extent of an area or areas where a feature exists.
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Spatial pattern
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arrangement of a feature as it is distributed through Earth space.
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Spatial interaction
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process whereby different phenomena are linked or interconnected, and, as a result, impact one another through Earth space.
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System
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group of interacting and interdependent units that together form an organized whole.
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Earth system
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set of interrelated components or variables (e.g., atmosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere), which interact and function together to make up Earth as it is currently constituted.
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Variable
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one of a set of objects and/or characteristics of objects, which are interrelated in such a way that they function together as a system.
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Subsystem
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separate system operating within the boundaries of a larger Earth system.
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Atmosphere
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blanket of air, composed of various gases, that envelops Earth.
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Lithosphere
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rigid and brittle outer layer of Earth consisting of the crust and uppermost mantle.
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Hydrosphere
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major Earth subsystem consisting of the waters of Earth, including oceans, ice, freshwater bodies, groundwater, and water within the atmosphere and biomass.
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Biosphere
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the life forms, human, animal, or plant, of Earth that form one of the major Earth subsystems.
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Environment
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surroundings, whether of man or of any other living organism; includes physical, social, and cultural conditions that affect the development of that organism.
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Ecology
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science that studies the interactions between organisms and their environment.
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Ecosystem
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community of organisms functioning together in an interdependent relationship with the environment that they occupy.
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Life-support system
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interacting and interdependent units (e.g., oxygen cycle, nitrogen cycle) that together provide an environment within which life can exist.
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Natural resource
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any element, material, or organism existing in nature that may be useful to humans.
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Pollution
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alteration of the physical, chemical, or biological balance of the environment that has adverse effects on the normal functioning of all life forms, including humans.
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Model
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a useful simplification of a more complex reality that permits prediction.
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Physical model
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three-dimensional representation of all or a portion of Earth's surface.
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Pictorial/graphic model
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representation of a portion of Earth's surface by means of maps, photographs, graphs, or diagrams.
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Mathematical/statistical model
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computer-generated representation of an area or Earth system using statistical data.
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Conceptual model
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image in the mind of an Earth feature or landscape as derived from personal experiences.
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Mental map
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conceptual model of special significance in geography because it consists of spatial information.
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Systems theory
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Earth as a whole or to understand most of its environmental components, physical geographers use a powerful strategy for analysis called systems theory. Systems theory suggests that the way to understand how anything works is to use the following strategy: 1. Clearly define the system that you are studying. What are the boundaries (limits) of the system? 2. Break the defined system down into its component parts (variables).The variables in a system are either matter or energy. What important parts and processes are involved in this system? 3. Attempt to understand how these variables are related to (or affect, react with, or impact) one another.
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Input
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energy and material entering an Earth system.
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Output
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energy and material leaving an Earth system.
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Closed system
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system in which no substantial amount of materials can cross its boundaries.
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Open system
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system in which energy and/or materials can freely cross its boundaries.
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Equilibrium
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state of balance between the interconnected components of an organized whole.
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Dynamic equilibrium
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constantly changing relationship among the variables of a system, which produces a balance between the amounts of energy and/or materials that enter a system and the amounts that leave.
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Feedback
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sequence of changes in the elements of a system, which ultimately affects the element that was initially altered to begin the sequence.
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Negative feedback
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reaction to initial change in a system that counteracts the initial change and leads to dynamic equilibrium in the system.
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Positive feedback
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reaction to initial change in a system that reinforces the initial change and leads to imbalance in the system.
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Threshold
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condition within a system that causes dramatic and often irreversible change for long periods of time to all variables in the system.
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Feedback loop
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path of change as its effects move through the variables of a system until the effects impact the variable originally experiencing change.
