Global Environments
Students look at the ways in which humans interact with the environment, with a specific focus on human interaction in Deserts. Students examine, in particular, the human impact on the Kalahari Desert including desertification, mining, tourism, climate change and global warming.
Key Concepts:
- Students understand the interactions between humans and global environments
- Students understand the importance of sustaining global environments
- Informed and active citizenship involves participation in sustaining global environments
Outcomes Assessed:
4.5 Demonstrates a sense of place about global environments
4.7 Identifies and discusses geographical issues from a range of perspectives
4.8 Describes the interrelationships between people and environments
4.10 Explains how geographical knowledge, understanding and skills combine with a knowledge of civics to contribute to informed citizenship
Types of Global Environments
- Coasts
- Deserts
- Mountains
- Rainforests
- Tundra
- Coral Reefs
- Grasslands
- Polar Lands
- Rivers
- Wetlands
Students look at the ways in which humans interact with the environment, with a specific focus on human interaction in Deserts. Students examine, in particular, the human impact on the Kalahari Desert including desertification, mining, tourism, climate change and global warming.
Key Concepts:
- Students understand the interactions between humans and global environments
- Students understand the importance of sustaining global environments
- Informed and active citizenship involves participation in sustaining global environments
Outcomes Assessed:
4.5 Demonstrates a sense of place about global environments
4.7 Identifies and discusses geographical issues from a range of perspectives
4.8 Describes the interrelationships between people and environments
4.10 Explains how geographical knowledge, understanding and skills combine with a knowledge of civics to contribute to informed citizenship
Types of Global Environments
- Coasts
- Deserts
- Mountains
- Rainforests
- Tundra
- Coral Reefs
- Grasslands
- Polar Lands
- Rivers
- Wetlands
Watch BBC Planet Earth - 'From Pole to Pole'
Satellite photo of our planet from space
Revision of Latitude and Longitude
The Poles
Antarctica on the left
Northern Ice Cap on the right
Antarctica on the left
Northern Ice Cap on the right
Watch: The Rotation and Revolution of Earth
Watch: The seasons explained
Glossary
biodiversity: the rich variety of all life forms on Earth, including plants and animals
blue-green algae: micro-organisms that grow in water high in nutrients, such as nitrates and phosphates
community: an identifiable group formed by people with something in common; usually based on shared space and social organisation
culture: the body of beliefs, attitudes, skills and tools with which members of a community structure their lives and interact with their environment
deforestation: the process of clearing forest, usually to make way for housing or agriculture
delta: a nearly flat plain between outspreading branches of a river at its mouth
developed country: a country that has high economic productivity, relatively high standards of living and a relatively democratic systems of government
developing country: a country in which most people have a low economic standard of living
estuary: the tidal mouth of a river where the salt water of the tide meets the fresh water of the river current
fossil fuels: fuels that come from the breakdown of organic matter; for example, coal, oil and natural gas. They have formed in the ground over millions of years.
global warming: describes the observable trend of rising world temperatures over the past century
hinterland: the area influenced by any settlement
indigenous: the descendants of the original inhabitants of an area
isotherm: a line joining places of equal temperature
nomadic: a way of life in which people move from one area to another to hunt or find food
permafrost: an area where the subsoil remains frozen throughout the year
pollution: the build-up of impurities likely to be harmful to plants, animals and humans at certain concentrations
river: a large natural stream of water flowing in a definite course
sedentary: staying in one place
slash-and-burn: a method of clearing land for agriculture. Trees and shrubs are cut down, and the remaining vegetation burned.
tundra: barren lands located between isotherms 0° and 10° Celsius. The subsoil is permanently frozen, allowing only small vegetation growth.
wetlands: areas that are covered permanently, occasionally or periodically by fresh or salt water up to a depth of 6 metres
Play the Game
Match the term with its definition
Match the term with its definition
Take the Quiz
Watch the video: Biomes of the World
The Biomes
Polar Lands - Life in the planet’s polar regions can be incredibly difficult. Bitterly cold winds whip across the landscape. Polar habitats are located in the very north and very south of the globe . The northern polar region is called the Arctic, and in the south the polar region is the continent of Antarctica. Millions of people live in the Arctic, however, Antarctica has no permanent human inhabitants.
Polar habitats have just two seasons – summer and winter (even summer is normally very cold). In the summer, it is light for 24 hours a day (right at the north and south poles, the sun doesn’t set for six whole months when it is summer) and in the winter it is dark for 24 hours a day.
Animals of Arctic include Lemmings, Arctic Owls and Polar Bears. Animals Antarctic include Baleen Whales, Leopard Seals and Penguins.
Polar habitats have just two seasons – summer and winter (even summer is normally very cold). In the summer, it is light for 24 hours a day (right at the north and south poles, the sun doesn’t set for six whole months when it is summer) and in the winter it is dark for 24 hours a day.
Animals of Arctic include Lemmings, Arctic Owls and Polar Bears. Animals Antarctic include Baleen Whales, Leopard Seals and Penguins.
Tundra - Tundras are among Earth's coldest, harshest biomes. Located at latitudes 55° to 70° North, the tundra is a vast and treeless land which covers about 20% of the Earth's surface, circumnavigating the North pole. It is usually very cold, and the land is pretty stark. Almost all tundras are located in the Northern Hemisphere.
The ground is permanently frozen 10 inches to 3 feet (25 to 100 cm) down so that trees can't grow there. The bare and sometimes rocky ground can only support low growing plants like mosses, heaths, and lichen. In the winter it is cold and dark and in the summer, when the snow and the top layer of permafrost melt, it is very soggy and the tundra is covered with marshes, lakes, bogs and streams that breed thousands of insects and attract many migrating birds.
The Arctic tundra, where the average temperature is -12 to -6 degrees Celsius supports a variety of animal species, including Arctic foxes, polar bears, grey wolves, caribou, snow geese and musk-oxen. The summer growing season is just 50 to 60 days, when the sun shines 24 hours a day.
Life on the tundra is highly vulnerable to environmental stresses like reduced snow cover and warmer temperatures brought on by global warming
The ground is permanently frozen 10 inches to 3 feet (25 to 100 cm) down so that trees can't grow there. The bare and sometimes rocky ground can only support low growing plants like mosses, heaths, and lichen. In the winter it is cold and dark and in the summer, when the snow and the top layer of permafrost melt, it is very soggy and the tundra is covered with marshes, lakes, bogs and streams that breed thousands of insects and attract many migrating birds.
The Arctic tundra, where the average temperature is -12 to -6 degrees Celsius supports a variety of animal species, including Arctic foxes, polar bears, grey wolves, caribou, snow geese and musk-oxen. The summer growing season is just 50 to 60 days, when the sun shines 24 hours a day.
Life on the tundra is highly vulnerable to environmental stresses like reduced snow cover and warmer temperatures brought on by global warming
Mountain environments are the highest areas on Earth and are found in all continents and latitudes. They are generally mild to cold, with steep to rugged land. Precipitation can vary greatly. Some are subject to natural hazards such as volcanoes, earthquakes and avalanches. The environment can be harsh and generally does not support large settlements and population.
Wetland environments are covered permanently, occasionally or periodically by fresh or salt water up to a depth of 6 metres. They are ecosystems whose formation is dominated by water. They are mostly found in coastal river estuaries but can also be located inland. Wetlands include areas such as swamps and marshes; they occupy around 6 per cent of the world’s land surface and are areas of great biodiversity. They are often important agricultural areas and valuable sources of timber. Many wetlands have been drained for agricultural or urban use. In river deltas they are often centres for settlements that support large populations.
Grassland environments are dominated by grasses rather than large shrubs or trees. Savanna is a type of grassland with scattered trees. Savannas are located in and around the tropics in Africa, Australia, South America and India. The climate is warm to hot, with a wet season followed by a dry season. These can be harsh lands for settlement and savannas, except for India, generally do not have large numbers of people.
Temperate grasslands are dominated by grasses with few trees and shrubs. They are found in the mid-latitudes in parts of South Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, North and South America. Temperate grasslands have a greater range of seasonal temperature than savannas and less variation in precipitation. Temperate grasslands are usually fertile and are valuable farming environments.
Temperate grasslands are dominated by grasses with few trees and shrubs. They are found in the mid-latitudes in parts of South Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, North and South America. Temperate grasslands have a greater range of seasonal temperature than savannas and less variation in precipitation. Temperate grasslands are usually fertile and are valuable farming environments.
Rivers often flow through different environments on their journey to the sea. Rivers are part of a system that begins with rain falling or ice melting in mountains or hills. The force of the water rushing down the steep slope erodes the mountain vertically into steep-sided V-shaped valleys. As the river reaches flatter land, the eroded stones, sand and soil begin to wear away both the floor and sides of the valley. On the flood plain the river slows and begins to meander. Silt deposited during flooding enriches the soil and provides fertile farmland. Deposits of silt near the mouth of the river can cause the river to split into many smaller branches and form a delta. Settlements occur along rivers because rivers provide fresh water and transport routes, and the surrounding land is often suitable for farming.
Rainforests are the Earth's oldest living ecosystems. They cover only 6 % of the Earth's surface but yet they contain more than 50 % of the world's plant and animal species.
Rainforests need constantly wet conditions. There are three main types of rainforest: tropical, mangrove and temperate. Rainforests are valuable sources of timber. In many areas the forest has been cleared for settlement and large populations
Rainforests need constantly wet conditions. There are three main types of rainforest: tropical, mangrove and temperate. Rainforests are valuable sources of timber. In many areas the forest has been cleared for settlement and large populations
Coral reefs are wave-resistant underwater mounds, made up of a variety of species including corals, algae and sponges. Coral sands and limestone also play an important role in the build-up of a coral reef. As one the world’s most diverse environments they support a wonderful variety of corals, fish and other organisms. Coral reefs are located in tropical waters along the western coasts of ocean basins (or the eastern side of continents) and around oceanic islands. They are located within 30° north and south of the Equator. Many islands and their coral reefs are popular tourist destinations.
Coasts - The coastal environment includes the coastal hinterland, nearby islands, beaches and estuaries. This environment is located around the world, on the edges of continents and islands. Although it is generally flat land, its climate and other physical features vary greatly. This environment has a wide range of communities and includes many of the great cities of the world.
Deserts are environments where there is a shortage of moisture because of low precipitation. There are two main types of deserts: hot and cold. Hot deserts are located in or near the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, generally on the western side of continents. Cold deserts are located in the mid-latitudes in the interior of Asia, North America, South America and all of Antarctica. The desert environment is harsh and generally does not support large settlements and population.
Take a closer study of the Desert Environment
World Map of Biomes