Geography HW 1

Sort the descriptions based on whether GPS, GIS, or remote sensing would be best suited for the task.

*Geographic Information Systems* -Integration of the various map layers -Analysis of the bottom, composite overlay layer -Comparing the spatial distribution of the wetlands layer with the land cover layer -- *Global Positioning System* -Creating the data on the exact location of the boundaries of each parcel -Obtaining the elevation data on the topographic base map -- *Remote Sensing* Capturing photographs to view land cover area

Determine whether each of the following items is a closed system, an open system, or neither.

*Open system* automobile system, rainforest system, highway system, desert system *Closed system* skeletal system, campus mail system

As mentioned in Part A and summarized in Figure B1 below, there are three major geography subfields: Human geographers look at the spatial organization of human activities and study people's relationships with their environment. This includes economics, urban dynamics, political patterns, and population, among other human activities. Physical geographers look at spatial variation and patterns in Earth's physical features and processes, including soils, biosystems, climate, and land formation processes, among other physical variables. Technical geographers use and develop geospatial technologies to map and analyze the spatial patterns they investigate. Their tools include paper maps (at the most basic level), geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing (RS), and global positioning systems (GPS). Sort the following phrases based on which type of geographer they describe best. Drag the appropriate items into their respective bins.

*physical geographer:* studies how melting glaciers contribute to sea level rise and affect the global climate studies how the destruction of an environment affects the local water supply -- *human geographer:* studies how cultural practices are passed between generations focuses on economic factors that cause Hurricane Katrina refugees to migrate away from New Orleans -- *technical geographer* creates a digitized map showing the location of gas lines in an urban space uses remote sensing to research aquifers in southern California

Which of the following coordinate pairs is associated with Lisbon, Portugal?

38°N, 9°W

What is the approximate elevation value of the Colorado River as displayed in the Grand Canyon placemark?

475 meters above sea level

The three major geography subfields (human, physical, and technical) have been further divided into subdisciplines, illustrated in Figure C1 below. Not only does geography integrate the social sciences with Earth sciences, most geographers do not specialize in just one subdiscipline. For example, an agricultural geographer studying production patterns in the midwestern U.S. must understand soil geography, climatology, economic geography, and cultural geography to fully investigate what's planted where, and why and how those patterns contribute to that landscape's economy and culture. Use the image above to guide you and complete each sentence with the subdiscipline that it best describes.

A geographer investigating how a new clothing trend spreads over space studies *cultural geography.* Geographers who understand the mathematics behind the projection process (going from a 3-dimensional sphere to a 2-dimensional representation) fall under the subdiscipline of *cartography.* The study of animal migrations through habitat corridors (bridges of habitat separated by human activities) falls under *biogeography* A geographer investigating the percentage of a labor force engaged in service-based jobs in comparison to agriculture studies *economic geography.* A geographer whose research is concerned with sea level rise as result of rising atmospheric temperatures falls under the subdiscipline of *climatology.*

What is the name of the building in downtown Albuquerque that would cast the longest shadow?

Albuquerque Plaza/Hyatt Regency

Where would you find the information regarding a view's coordinates, elevation, and imagery date?

At the bottom of the 3D Viewer.

Examine the figure below which is an aerial view of a mudslide that occurred in Caraballeda, Venezuela in 1999 after an extensive rainfall. Now select the components of the Earth system that created and were affected by this natural disaster to demonstrate the interconnectivity of Earth system. Select all that apply.

Biosphere Atmosphere Hydrosphere Geosphere

Positive feedback loops

Bright white glaciers reflect much of the Sun's incoming solar radiation. As global temperatures rise and glaciers melt, more solar energy is absorbed by Earth, leading to further warming. During a drought, there is less water in plants and soil, so less water evaporates into the atmosphere, leading to drier conditions. As agriculture intensifies, more humans can obtain food, which increases the global population, requiring more agricultural output.

Geography is an integrative discipline that straddles the science-humanities divide and is centrally concerned with the nature and significance of the places, patterns, and landscapes that make up Earth's surface. Typically geographers divide themselves into three major subfields: Human geographers study how human activities affect and are affected by their environment. Physical geographers examine the processes, patterns, and physical features found on Earth. Technical geographers focus on the development and use of geospatial technologies—from paper maps to global positioning systems (GPS). The reality is that much overlap exists between the three; it is virtually impossible to study physical systems without understanding the environmental effects of human activity. Likewise, understanding population, settlement, and economic patterns over space requires at least a basic understanding of Earth's physical processes. Choose all of the following statements that are true.

Geographers study both social and physical sciences, including economic activities, cities, vegetation patterns, and natural landforms. There are many geography subfields, so some geographers are more focused on natural processes, while others are mainly focused on cultural activities. Geographers use modern mapping and data analysis techniques.

What sphere is indicated by curvilinear feature at the Albuquerque, NM, placemark?

Hydrosphere

Identify the road that crosses the bridge immediately to the north of the Albuquerque, NM, placemark.

Interstate 40 (Coronado Freeway)

Based on your assessment of latitude and longitude in Google Earth™, which of the following statements is NOT correct?

Lines of longitude are parallel with one another, thus insuring that a degree of longitude is equidistant anywhere on the globe.

Determine whether the following statements describe negative or positive feedback loops. Drag the appropriate items into their respective bins.

Negative feedback loops -minimize or discourage change within the system -keep a system in equilibrium -- Positive feedback loops -encourage change in the system -can be quite disruptive or detrimental to a system

Negative feedback loops

On a coastal bluff, plant growth inhibits erosion, which allows for more stabilizing plants to grow on the bluff. In the 1990s, wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park after a 70-year absence. During their absence, the deer population increased, causing overgrazing of river valleys. As the wolves decreased the deer population, plants were able to re-grow in the valleys.

If you needed to find a specific place on Earth, you would use the

Search panel.

Based on your assessment of latitude and longitude in Google Earth™, which of the following statements is NOT correct?

The maximum value of longitude is 90°.

Utilizing the street view imagery from the two greater Albuquerque area placemarks (Southern Boulevard and Sandia Crest Road), which of the following statements is most strongly supported?

There is significant variation in the vegetation of the greater Albuquerque area.

Many misconceive geography as being about memorizing countries, capitals, rivers, and other features. Or it's misconceived as being obsolete, the entirety of Earth having been discovered and mapped. While knowing where things are is important, and while we certainly have a fairly detailed map of the globe, geography is about so much more—it allows you to understand the world around you. Combining the spatial perspective with powerful geospatial technologies makes geography more important today than ever. For example: Digital mapping technologies allow people to experience environments they couldn't otherwise. Remote sensing combined with GIS allows researchers to access and analyze otherwise treacherous or challenging environments (e.g., remote deserts or the Amazon Rainforest). Understanding how local biosystems, animal populations, and the global climate are affected by changes in land cover and land use is increasingly important as more and more people move into cities. Insights into differences in cultural practices and traditions across space provide crucial sensitivity in an increasingly interconnected world. Select the following statements that correctly describe everyday uses of geography.

You are walking home from work following a rainstorm and choose to walk along the raised sidewalk to avoid puddles in low areas. This is an example of physical geography. You are moving to Boston and notice that many of your new neighbors have the same regional accent. This is an example of human geography. You are taking a train to Washington, D.C. and are looking for a restaurant near the train station. A GPS map fed with GIS data can help you.

Which of the following is NOT a capability of Google Earth™?

You can view live imagery.

Systems are made up of interconnected parts, meaning that individual parts are not necessarily systems. These interconnected parts facilitate the flow of inputs and outputs to, from, and within that system. Select all of the following phrases that are examples of a system. Select the three that apply.

a functional desktop computer eating an apple a moving river

The maximum distance between Earth and Sun occurs in July and is called the ________.

aphelion

A massive landslide in northern Brazil along the Amazon River, deposits tons of extra debris into the river, increasing its sediment load dramatically and disrupting its flow. This is an example of

disequilibrium.

The midwestern United States experienced more rainfall in the spring of 2015 compared to previous years. This rain led to higher levels of water in the Mississippi and its tributaries. While the river's dynamics changed a bit because of this greater input, it was able to adjust its course to accommodate the greater flow. This is an example of

dynamic equilibrium

Of seconds, degrees, and minutes of latitude, minutes are associated with the shortest distances.

false

The International Date Line and the 180th meridian are the same line.

false

The graticule of the Earth is also known as ________.

latitude and longitude

Before time zones were created in the 1880s, one could encounter ________ time standards on a rail trip across the United States.

more than 20

Rotation of the Earth DOES NOT cause ________.

seasons

The population of raptors (predator birds) on a small island off the coast of South America is enough to keep the local populations of rodents and other small mammals in check, which, in turn, allows the local ecosystem to thrive. This is an example of

steady state equilibrium

The distance of 150,000,000 kilometers is CLOSEST to being ________.

the average Earth/Sun distance

Marine life (plants and animals) that survive off the Great Barrier Reef, near the east coast of Northern Australia, are increasingly dying off as warmer ocean temperatures lead to bleaching and death of the coral. This is an example of a system reaching its

threshold

On what part of the Google Earth™ window are the on-screen navigation controls located?

top right

The Prime Meridian was adopted as a result of an international conference in 1884.

true

The ________ equinox of the southern hemisphere takes place when the vertical rays of the sun cross the Equator on the journey southward.

vernal

Of the following, which is the first day of spring in the southern hemisphere?

vernal equinox