GEOG 204 GLOBAL
CASINO CHAPTER
QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS GLOBAL
ENVIRONMENTAL
ISSUES 2023 NEW EXAM
PREVIEW SOLUTION
GUIDE
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, lOMoAR cPSD| 6353920
Global Casino Chapter Questions
Chapter 1: The Physical Environment
1. What is the most commonly used classification system for the physical
environment? Explain each sphere. (4 interrelated spheres)
The lithosphere which is made up of rocks that are classified on their modes of
formation ( igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary)
The Atmosphere ( gas 21% and nitrogen 80%) distribution of climates
The biosphere made up of living things ( flora and fauna)
Hyrdosphere chemical constituents ( fresh water,saline) or the condition or
phase of the water solid ice, liquid water or gaseous vapour
2. What are ecosystems? How are they classified?
ECOSYSTEMS are particular areas in the natural world which contain the
same suite of characteristics. (a biological community of interacting
organisms and their environment) These characteristics are:
-Annual net primary Production of carbon (high productivity vs low
productivity ecosystems)
-Net production- the amount of organic matter/biomass produced each
year
-climatic conditions
-availability of nutrients (quantity and quality of water)
-nature of soil reflects underlying rock type
-plant and animal matter typical of region
3. What are the main factors determining productivity of ecosystems?
Availability of nutrients, climate (WARM, WET climates promote HIGHER
PRODUCTIVITY than cold, dry ones)
-minor factors: latitudinal gradient of diversity (animals and plants), food
chain
4. What is meant by the term “latitudinal gradient”? (p.3)
-General trend of INCREASING DIVERSITY of plant and animal
species FROM the POLES TO the EQUATORIAL REGIONS.
-may be explained by DIFFS IN PRODUCTIVITY due to
availability of nutrients and climate
5. Morphoclimatic regions are combinations of? What are the main ones
discussed in this text?
-Morphoclimatic regions are a combination of CLIMATE AND BIOSPHERE
(VEGETATION) factors (8):
1. Tundra
- NO TREES- vegetation consists of grasses and other herbs,
mosses, lichens, and some woody plants adapted to a short summer
growing season