A2 GEOGRAPHY
- AQA SYLLABUS A
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13.3 Cold
Environments and Human Activity
- The Environment
This environment corresponds to polar regions. It includes the
Tundra biome and
the ice cap regions polewards of this. The surrounding
seas, such as the Southern Ocean must also be studied as well
as Alpine environments above the tree line in temperate latitudes.
- Climate - characteristics
and causal factors with particular reference to atmospheric
processes.
- Hazards of intense
cold, wind chill and low precipitation totals.
- The atmospheric
processes responsible for these characteristics.
Glacial
and Periglacial Processes and Landforms
- Landscape processes
in glacial or recently glaciated areas: weathering, mass
movement, glacial erosion, transport and deposition. The glacial budget;
warm and cold glaciers. There is a need to consider fluvial processes
operating and the associated modifications to the hydrological
cycle.
- An awareness of
the glacial system and of the distinction between valley
and continental glaciation.
Landforms associated
with valley glaciation.
- Landforms associated
with the ice sheet glaciation with reference to glacial
and fluvio-glacial deposits. Landforms: till, drumlins, kames, eskers
and overflow channels.
- Periglacial processes
and landforms and a consideration of the significance
of associated fluvial and aeolian landforms: solifluction lobes,
pingos and patterned ground.
- Regional scale
studies are required and reference is to be made to relict
features in the UK and NW Europe and to active features in areas
such as the Canadian Northlands. [Links
with 10.1 and 13.2.]
Biomes and Ecosystems
- The Tundra biome:
spatial distributions, variations in its nature, productivity
and controls; to include soil conditions and emphasis on the
unique characteristics of this biome.
- The Southern Ocean:
ecosystems and food
chains.
- The concept of
fragile environments.
Human activity,
economic processes and resource management
- Local economies of indigenous
people.
- Resource exploitation by newcomers:
early activity such as sealing, whaling,
mining, fur trapping.
- More recent exploitation and management:
mining, HEP, fishing, farming
tourism, military/strategic and geo-political considerations. Human
activity in Alpine regions in Europe and the changing nature of
this over time.
- The impact of the physical environment
on human activities as well as the
impact of human activities on the environment is to be considered.
Two regional case studies are required such as the Canadian
northland, Antarctica, Alaska, or the Alps. [Links
with 11.3, 14.1 and 14.3]
Present
problems and future issues
- Issues for settlement, transport
and local cultures. The future development
or conservation with particular reference to wilderness areas. Sustainable
development with specific reference to Antarctica and
the Southern Ocean.
- Issues associated with development.
The importance of sustainable development
in other areas. One case study such as Alaska, the Alps or
Canadian Northlands to be studied.
- A synthesising study of one cold
environment such the Lake District or
Snowdonia to emphasise its unique characteristics, changes over time,
problems and issues.
- Candidates are to analyse the
values of decision makers and also explore
their own when considering these issues.