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Glossary - People and The Biosphere - Edexcel Geography GCSE

This document provides definitions for key terms related to ecosystems and human interactions with the biosphere that are important for understanding People and the Biosphere for the Edexcel GCSE Geography exam. Over 30 terms are defined, including biome, ecosystem, producers, consumers, decomposers, nutrient cycling, urbanization, industrialization, and theories related to population growth and resource use.

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52 views3 pages

Glossary - People and The Biosphere - Edexcel Geography GCSE

This document provides definitions for key terms related to ecosystems and human interactions with the biosphere that are important for understanding People and the Biosphere for the Edexcel GCSE Geography exam. Over 30 terms are defined, including biome, ecosystem, producers, consumers, decomposers, nutrient cycling, urbanization, industrialization, and theories related to population growth and resource use.

Uploaded by

Angi S
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Edexcel Geography GCSE

7: People and the Biosphere


Glossary of Definitions

This work by PMT Education is licensed under https://bit.ly/pmt-cc


https://bit.ly/pmt-edu-cc CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

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Glossary of Definitions - People and the Biosphere

Abiotic components - ​Non-living environmental factors that have influence over the ecosystem
(e.g. climate, light exposure, soil type).

Altitude - ​A measurement of the height of the land (usually as height above sea level).

Altitudinal zonation​ - The presence of distinct bands of different vegetation types at different
elevations, caused by the change of environmental conditions with altitude.

Biome - ​Also known as a global-scale ecosystem; a large, distinct region of the Earth with similar
climate, soil, plants and animals.

Biosphere - ​The living layer of Earth between the atmosphere (air) and the lithosphere (crust)
where all plants and animals are found.

Biotic components - ​Living organisms that interact with the environment and other organisms
within an ecosystem.

Boserupian theory -​ The theory that the demands of the growing population will always be met,
as humans will continue to invent new ways to increase resource supply.

Carbon sequestration - ​The long-term capture and storage of carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere.

Coniferous forest biome (taiga/boreal) - ​A biome located at high latitudes, characterised by


conifer trees and a cold climate.

Consumers​ ​- ​Organisms that receive energy from consuming (i.e. eating) living organisms.

Decomposers​ ​- ​Organisms that break down organic material and release the nutrients back into
the ecosystem.

Desert biome - ​A biome located around 30° north and south of the equator, characterised by
extremely low precipitation levels and extreme daily temperature fluctuations.

Ecosystem - ​A natural system in which a community of plants and animals interact with each other
and their physical environment.

Eutrophication - ​The growth of algae in a body of water due to excess nutrients, leading to the
depletion of oxygen in an aquatic ecosystem.

Food chain - ​A linear relationship showing the biotic interactions within an ecosystem, from a
producer to a final consumer.

Hydrological cycle - ​The continuous transfer of water throughout Earth.

Indigenous peoples - ​The earliest known settlers in an area.

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Industrialisation - ​The development of the industrial sector in a country or region.

Malthusian theory - ​The theory that population growth increases exponentially but resource
supply only increases linearly.

Mediterranean biome - ​A biome located 40-45° north of the equator (and in isolated spots south
of the equator), characterised by mild, moist winters and hot, dry summers.

Nutrient cycling - ​The transfer of nutrients through an ecosystem, from the decay of organic
material into the production and energy of living organisms.

Producers - ​Organisms that convert energy from the environment (mainly sunlight) into sugars
(glucose).

Savanna biome - ​A biome located around 15-30° north and south of the equator, characterised by
high temperatures, very dry summers and very wet winters.

Temperate deciduous forest biome - ​A biome located around 40-50° north and south of the
equator, characterised by deciduous trees (trees that shed their leaves) and moderate
precipitation.

Temperate grassland biome - ​A biome located in non-coastal areas around 30-40° north and
south of the equator, characterised by low precipitation and grasses as the major vegetation.

Transpiration - ​The evaporation of water from plants.

Tropical rainforest biome - ​A biome located near the equator, characterised by very high
precipitation and sustained warm temperatures.

Tundra biome - ​A biome located in the far northern hemisphere, characterised by very cold
conditions and permanently frozen soils.

Urbanisation - ​The increase in the proportion of the population living in urban areas.

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