Key Takeaways for GCSE Geography: Fragile Environments & Global Issues

1. Sustainability & Fragile Environments

  • Definition:
    Sustainability = Actions meeting present needs without compromising future generations’ ability to meet theirs.
  • Fragile Environments:
    Areas under threat from human activity (e.g., soil erosion, desertification). Examples:
    • Sahel (Africa): Desertification due to overgrazing, deforestation, and population pressure.
    • Amazon Rainforest: Deforestation for logging, agriculture, and mining.

Key Rules:

  • Human activities (overcultivation, deforestation) accelerate environmental degradation.
  • Fragility increases with low rainfall, poor soil management, and biodiversity loss.

2. Soil Erosion & Desertification

Types of Soil Erosion:

  1. Sheet Erosion: Moderate rainfall removes topsoil (bare slopes).
  2. Gully Erosion: Intense rainfall cuts channels into slopes.
  3. Wind Erosion: Dry, loose soil blown away (e.g., Sahel).

Causes of Desertification:

  • Natural: Drought, climate variability.
  • Human: Overgrazing, deforestation, poor irrigation → salinisation.

Management Strategies:

  • Terracing/Contour Ploughing: Reduces runoff on slopes.
  • Agroforestry: Mixing crops/trees (roots stabilise soil).
  • Stone Lines (Sahel): Trap water, reduce erosion.

Case Study:

  • Sahel Desertification: Population growth → overcultivation → soil exhaustion → famine.

3. Deforestation

Causes:

  1. Commercial Logging (26% globally): Selective logging vs. clear-felling (Amazon).
  2. Agriculture (32%): Cattle ranching, soy plantations (Brazil).
  3. Infrastructure: Trans-Amazonian Highway opens forests to settlers.

Consequences:

  • Negative: Biodiversity loss, CO₂ increase, soil leaching.
  • Positive: Economic growth (e.g., Brazil’s timber exports).

Sustainable Management:

  • Selective Logging: Only valuable trees cut.
  • International Agreements: CITES (protects species), ITTA (sustainable timber).
  • Agroforestry: Combines crops and trees (Amazon).

Case Study:

  • Amazon Rainforest: Deforestation for mining (Carajás iron ore), HEP (Itaipu Dam).

4. Global Warming & Climate Change

Causes:

  • Natural: Milankovitch cycles, volcanic activity.
  • Human: Enhanced greenhouse effect (CO₂ from fossil fuels, deforestation).
    • CO₂ levels: 380 ppm (2008)→Predicted 550 ppm (future)380 ppm (2008)→Predicted 550 ppm (future)
    • Temperature rise: +1∘C (since 19th century)→Predicted +6∘C+1∘C (since 19th century)→Predicted +6∘C

Consequences:

  • Environmental: Sea-level rise (1m → coastal flooding), ecosystem shifts.
  • Social/Economic: Migration, water shortages, crop failure (e.g., Bangladesh).

Management:

  • Mitigation: Renewable energy (solar, wind), Kyoto Protocol (CO₂ targets).
  • Adaptation: Flood defences, disease control.

Case Study:

  • Bangladesh: Sea-level rise → salinisation of farmland, increased flooding (Chittagong).

5. Exam Tips & Tricks

  1. Case Studies: Memorise 3 key examples (e.g., Sahel, Amazon, Bangladesh) with specific details.
  2. Definitions: Learn exact phrasing (e.g., desertification = “spread of desert-like conditions”).
  3. Diagrams: Sketch processes (e.g., soil erosion types) for visual marks.
  4. Maths Skills: Use equations for CO₂ levels/temperature:
    • CO2 ppm=Total CO2 emissionsAtmospheric volumeCO2​ ppm=Atmospheric volumeTotal CO2​ emissions​
  5. 4/6/9 Mark Questions:
    • 4 marks: Two explained points (e.g., “Outline two causes of deforestation”).
    • 6 marks: Three detailed points + examples (e.g., “Discuss soil erosion strategies”).
    • 9 marks: Balanced argument + case study (e.g., “Evaluate international agreements”).

Common Pitfalls:

  • Confusing mitigation (reducing causes) vs. adaptation (adjusting to effects).
  • Mixing up natural vs. human causes (e.g., desertification is both).

50 Unique GCSE Geography Questions: Fragile Environments & Global Issues

Section A: Sustainability & Fragile Environments

  1. Define sustainability and explain why it is important for future generations.
  2. What makes an environment “fragile”? Provide two examples of fragile environments.
  3. Explain how monocultures contribute to environmental fragility.
  4. How does urban sprawl threaten fragile environments?
  5. Why are tropical rainforests considered fragile despite their biodiversity?

Section B: Soil Erosion & Desertification

  1. Distinguish between sheet erosion, gully erosion, and wind erosion.
  2. Outline three human activities that worsen soil erosion.
  3. Define desertification and explain why it is both a natural and human-driven process.
  4. How does overgrazing lead to desertification in the Sahel?
  5. Describe two strategies used to manage soil erosion in LICs.

Section C: Deforestation

  1. What percentage of global deforestation is caused by agriculture? Name two crops linked to this.
  2. Explain how road building in the Amazon rainforest contributes to deforestation.
  3. Why is selective logging less damaging than clear-felling?
  4. How does deforestation contribute to the enhanced greenhouse effect?
  5. Outline two sustainable management strategies for tropical rainforests.

Section D: Global Warming & Climate Change

  1. What is the difference between global warming and the enhanced greenhouse effect?
  2. Calculate the predicted temperature rise if CO₂ concentrations exceed 550 ppm (use ΔTΔT).
  3. Name three natural causes of climate change and explain their impacts.
  4. Why do HICs produce more greenhouse gases than LICs?
  5. How does ocean acidification threaten marine ecosystems?

Section E: Case Studies

  1. Describe the causes of desertification in the Sahel region of Africa.
  2. Explain how the Trans-Amazonian Highway has impacted deforestation in Brazil.
  3. Why is Bangladesh particularly vulnerable to sea-level rise?
  4. What are the economic consequences of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest?
  5. How has the Kyoto Protocol attempted to address global warming?

Section F: Management Strategies

  1. Evaluate the effectiveness of terracing in reducing soil erosion.
  2. Why is agroforestry considered a sustainable farming method?
  3. How do stone lines in the Sahel help combat desertification?
  4. Discuss the role of CITES in protecting rainforest species.
  5. Why might LICs oppose international climate agreements like the Kyoto Protocol?

Section G: Data & Calculations

  1. In 2008, global CO₂ levels were 380 ppm. If emissions increase by 3% annually, calculate the ppm in 2023 (use ppm=380×(1.03)15ppm=380×(1.03)15).
  2. Convert a predicted sea-level rise of 1 metre into millimetres.
  3. If 32% of deforestation is due to agriculture, how many hectares are lost annually if total deforestation is 10 million hectares?
  4. Calculate the percentage of global greenhouse gas emissions produced by the USA (given 36% of total).
  5. Using Figure 7.10, describe the trend in CO₂ emissions from 1850 to 2005.

Section H: Exam-Style Questions

  1. 4 marks: Outline two human causes of desertification.
  2. 4 marks: Give two consequences of soil erosion on farming communities.
  3. 6 marks: Explain how deforestation in the Amazon contributes to climate change.
  4. 6 marks: Discuss three strategies to manage global warming.
  5. 9 marks: Evaluate the success of international agreements in tackling climate change.

Section I: Synoptic Questions

  1. How does population growth exacerbate environmental fragility in the Sahel?
  2. Why is soil erosion both an environmental and economic issue?
  3. Compare the impacts of deforestation in HICs and LICs.
  4. How might global warming affect the distribution of tropical diseases?
  5. Explain the link between overconsumption in HICs and deforestation in LICs.

Section J: Diagrams & Processes

  1. Sketch and label a diagram showing gully erosion.
  2. Draw a flowchart explaining the causes and consequences of desertification.
  3. Annotate a map of Bangladesh to show areas at risk from sea-level rise.
  4. Create a labelled diagram of the enhanced greenhouse effect.
  5. Design a poster advocating for sustainable rainforest management.

Detailed Answers

1. Sustainability Definition

  • Answer: Sustainability refers to actions that meet current needs without compromising future generations’ ability to meet theirs. For example, using renewable energy instead of fossil fuels ensures resources remain available long-term.

2. Fragile Environments

  • Answer: Environments under threat from unsustainable human activity or natural sensitivity. Examples: Sahel (desertification), Amazon (deforestation).

3. Monocultures

  • Answer: Growing a single crop repeatedly depletes soil nutrients, increasing fragility. E.g., soy plantations in the Amazon cause soil exhaustion.

4. Urban Sprawl

  • Answer: Expanding cities encroach on natural habitats (e.g., wetlands), destroying biodiversity and increasing pollution.

5. Rainforest Fragility

  • Answer: Thin, nutrient-poor soils become infertile quickly after deforestation, making recovery difficult.

6. Soil Erosion Types

  • Answer:
    1. Sheet: Uniform removal of topsoil by moderate rain.
    2. Gully: Channels carved by heavy rain.
    3. Wind: Dry soil blown away (e.g., Sahel).

7. Human Activities & Erosion

  • Answer: Overgrazing, deforestation, overcultivation, heavy machinery, and slope ploughing.

8. Desertification Definition

  • Answer: Spread of desert-like conditions into semi-arid areas. Natural (drought) + human (overgrazing) causes.

9. Sahel Overgrazing

  • Answer: Livestock remove vegetation, exposing soil to wind/water erosion. Example: 1960s population growth → overgrazing → famine.

10. Soil Erosion Management

  • Answer:
    1. Contour ploughing: Reduces runoff on slopes.
    2. Agroforestry: Trees stabilise soil (e.g., Sahel stone lines).

11. Deforestation & Agriculture

  • Answer: 32% globally. Crops: soy, palm oil (Amazon), cattle ranching (Brazil).

12. Road Building in Amazon

  • Answer: Roads (e.g., Trans-Amazonian Highway) enable logging/mining, attracting settlers who clear forests for farms.

13. Selective Logging

  • Answer: Only valuable trees (e.g., mahogany) are cut, minimising habitat disruption vs. clear-felling (destroys entire areas).

14. Deforestation & CO₂

  • Answer: Trees absorb CO₂; burning them releases stored carbon, increasing atmospheric CO₂ (CO2↑CO2​↑ → enhanced greenhouse effect).

15. Rainforest Management

  • Answer:
    1. Selective logging (controlled timber extraction).
    2. CITES (bans trade in endangered species).

16. Global Warming vs. Greenhouse Effect

  • Answer:
    • Global warming: Rise in Earth’s temperature.
    • Enhanced greenhouse effect: Human activities trap more heat (e.g., CO₂ from fossil fuels).

17. Temperature Rise Calculation

  • Answer: If CO₂ >550 ppm, predicted rise = 6∘C6∘C. Formula: ΔT=CO2 ppm100ΔT=100CO2​ ppm​ (simplified).

18. Natural Climate Causes

  • Answer:
    1. Milankovitch cycles: Orbital changes alter solar radiation.
    2. Volcanic eruptions: Ash reflects sunlight, causing cooling.
    3. Sunspot activity: Varies solar output over 11-year cycles.

19. HICs & Greenhouse Gases

  • Answer: HICs industrialise earlier (e.g., USA, 36% emissions), relying on fossil fuels for energy/transport.

20. Ocean Acidification

  • Answer: CO₂ dissolves in seawater → H2CO3H2​CO3​ (carbonic acid) forms, harming coral reefs and shellfish.

21. Sahel Desertification Causes

  • Answer: Population growth → overcultivation/overgrazing → vegetation loss → wind erosion (1960s drought worsened this).

22. Trans-Amazonian Highway

  • Answer: Road built for resource transport (timber, minerals), but encouraged illegal logging/settlements, accelerating deforestation.

23. Bangladesh Vulnerability

  • Answer: Low-lying delta (Ganges-Brahmaputra), dense population, reliance on agriculture. Sea-level rise → salinisation, flooding (e.g., Chittagong).

24. Amazon Economic Impacts

  • Answer: Positive: Jobs in logging/mining. Negative: Long-term soil degradation reduces farming potential.

25. Kyoto Protocol

  • Answer: 1997 agreement to cut CO₂ emissions by 5% by 2012. Issues: Limited signatories, no penalties for non-compliance.

26. Terracing Effectiveness

  • Answer: Reduces runoff on steep slopes (e.g., rice paddies in Asia), but labour-intensive and costly for LICs.

27. Agroforestry Benefits

  • Answer: Trees provide shade/fruit, while crops utilise soil nutrients. Roots prevent erosion (e.g., Sahel).

28. Sahel Stone Lines

  • Answer: Stones placed along contours trap rainwater, increasing infiltration and reducing erosion. Example: Niger’s zaï pits.

29. CITES Role

  • Answer: Bans trade in endangered species (e.g., Amazon parrots), protecting biodiversity from illegal logging/hunting.

30. LICs & Climate Agreements

  • Answer: LICs argue HICs caused most emissions and should bear greater responsibility (e.g., India’s opposition to Kyoto).

31. CO₂ ppm Calculation

  • Answer:
    ppm=380×(1.03)15ppm=380×(1.03)15
    ppm≈380×1.56=592.8 ppmppm≈380×1.56=592.8 ppm

32. Sea-Level Rise Conversion

  • Answer: 1 metre = 1000 millimetres.

33. Agricultural Deforestation

  • Answer: 32% of 10 million hectares = 3.2 million hectares/year.

34. USA Emissions Percentage

  • Answer: 36% of total global greenhouse gases.

35. CO₂ Emissions Trend

  • Answer: Steady rise from 1850 (Industrial Revolution) to 2005, with spikes post-1950 due to industrialisation.

36. Desertification Causes

  • Answer:
    1. Overgrazing (Sahel).
    2. Deforestation for fuelwood (Amazon).

37. Soil Erosion Consequences

  • Answer:
    1. Reduced crop yields → famine (Sahel).
    2. Migration to urban areas (environmental refugees).

38. Amazon Deforestation & Climate

  • Answer:
    • Loss of CO₂ absorption → increased atmospheric CO₂.
    • Burning releases CO2CO2​ (e.g., 20% of global emissions from deforestation).

39. Global Warming Strategies

  • Answer:
    1. Renewable energy (solar/wind).
    2. Afforestation (replanting trees).
    3. Carbon capture technology.

40. International Agreements Evaluation

  • Answer:
    • Successes: Kyoto raised awareness; CDM funded green projects.
    • Failures: Poor enforcement (USA withdrew), LIC resistance.

41. Population Growth in Sahel

  • Answer: More people → demand for food/fuel → overcultivation/deforestation → soil exhaustion.

42. Soil Erosion Impacts

  • Answer: Environmental (loss of fertile soil) + economic (reduced farm income, aid dependency).

43. HIC vs. LIC Deforestation

  • Answer: HICs cleared forests centuries ago (e.g., UK); LICs (e.g., Brazil) face pressure to exploit resources now.

44. Disease Distribution

  • Answer: Warmer temperatures expand mosquito habitats → malaria/dengue spread to new regions (e.g., highland Africa).

45. Overconsumption & Deforestation

  • Answer: HIC demand for timber/beef drives LIC deforestation (e.g., EU soy imports from Brazil).

46–50. Diagrams

  • Answers: Follow textbook diagrams (e.g., gully erosion cross-section, annotated Bangladesh map).