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Geography short answers

Ecosystems at Risk DP1 Outline how changes in weather or climate can affect an ecosystem. 2 marks Weather or climate has greatly affected Avalon Sand Dunes, located 40 km North of Sydney’s CBD. Being a sand dune, it is prone to various natural stresses such as high exposure to sunlight, winds and salt spray. These stresses have led to harsh conditions on the sand dune and makes it difficult for plant species to thrive. For instance, the prevalent onshore winds and salt spray have resulted in unstable sands and little foredune with low levels of vegetation.

DP2 How is an ecosystem you have studied both vulnerable and resilient? 4 marks Ecosystem vulnerability is determined by the level in which an ecosystem is easily exposed to stress or a disturbance and resilience is referred to an ecosystem’s ability to respond to this stress and reach equilibrium. An ecosystem that displays this is Avalon Sand Dunes located 40 km North of Sydney’s CBD, being a sand dune, it is naturally prone to many stresses including of high levels of sunlight, strong winds with salt spray and has resulted in unstable soils and little foredune, showing the ecosystem’s high level of vulnerability. Resilience is evident in this ecosystem through the modification of the keystone species, spinifex that has adapted to burying, drought, heat and wind. The adaptions have led to stabilised sand allowing the successive dunes to be inhabited by other vegetation, responding to the various natural stresses.

Urban Places World Cities DP1 Describe the nature of world cities World cities are large cities that have outstripped its national urban network and become part of an international global system. They have emerged through the process of globalisation which is the breakdown of barriers between countries and the development of stronger links between countries. World cities act as the command and control centres in the borderless domain of the new global economy. They control the flow of information, cultural products and finance that sustain the economic and cultural integration of the world. Paired with technological advancements, corporations in world cities are able to ‘export’ ideas and services, for example in Sydney, employment growth is evident in the city’s ‘knowledge hubs’ such as the CBD focusing in financial services and professional services. Describe, with references to examples, the character of world cities. 4 marks. A world city is a large city that has outstripped its national urban network and has obtained international significance as a part of the global network. World cities have duel character as centres of economic and cultural authority. In terms of economic authority, they are the command and control nodes in the global economy with globally significant stock exchanges and trade centres such as ASX in Sydney and New York, home to the two largest stock exchanges. There are also large

concentration of corporate headquarters including TNCs, sites for leading global markets for commodities, and centres of leading global markets in business services. World cities also exhibit high levels of cultural authority, that is they are sites of prestigious and distinctive lifestyles. This can be determined by the existence of extensive transport systems, tourist attractions and hosting major sporting events. An example of a world city that displays a comprehensive level of cultural authority is Paris, home to the most visited art museum in the world and 130 more museums and is also home to major sporting events such as the Tour de France. Account for the spatial distribution of world cities. World cities are only found in the developed world, they are often located near major waterways as in the past, it allowed them to facilitate trade and act as a water supply. Most world cities are located in the Northern Hemisphere where the Industrial Revolution started as it allowed many European countries to develop their economy before many Southern Hemisphere countries and as it is where most of the landmass exists. World cities emerged through the process of globalisation resulting in world cities residing in every continent. There are three concentrations of world cities located in Europe, America and Asia. For example, London and Paris in Europe, Tokyo and Seoul in Asia and New York and Los Angeles in North America. They tend to be away from the equator as it causes harsh climates and a likelihood of disease. World cities are spatially dispersed yet globally integrated through systems of exchange and production.

DP2 Explain why world cities are important centres of economic and cultural authority. 6 mark A world city is a large city that has outstripped its national urban network and become part of the international global system. They are nodal points for the multiple linkages and interconnections that sustain the world’s economy and also have the ability to generate and spread ideas and values and influence cultural processes. Economic authority include of a world cities’ ability to generate and communicate ideas relating to economic strategies, achieved by having influential stock exchanges, housing the world’s Transnational Corporations (TNCs) and high levels of business and professional services. For instance, New York is home to the two largest stock exchanges and the ASX in Sydney is largely influential. Other examples include of Tokyo, leader in terms of the number of TNCs with 80. Cultural authority refers to world cities in which prestigious and distinctive lifestyles are present, this is accomplished through the presence of transport and communication hubs, innovation and major tourist attractions. In particular, Paris is a world city that exhibits high levels of cultural influence through the vast number of tourist attractions such as the Eiffel Tower and also is home to 130 museums including the Louvre, the most visited museum in the world.

Mega cities DP1 Outline the nature and character of mega cities in the developing world. 4 marks Megacities are defined by the United Nations as cities with a population exceeding 10 million people. Megacities face the situation of over-urbanisation, this is when there are more urban residents than the economies of the cities can support. This has occurred as a result of urbanisation and rural-urban migration. This has led to most of the world’s urban population living in developing countries with 3.3 billion urban dwellers compared to 978 million in the developed countries in 2016. For instance, Mexico City’s large population of 21.2 million, that has led to a massive strain on the economies infrastructure and resources. Megacities include of unique characteristics such as various problems that arise due to the overpopulation that occur in these urban areas. These problems include of

social and spatial inequalities, lack of sanitation, shanty towns and large informal economies. An example is the lack of sanitation in one of Mumbai’s shanty towns, Dharavi, with a population of about 700,000 and is one of the highest densely populated area. This has led to a lack of sanitation that has led to the development of various diseases and social problems.

Urban Dynamics DP2 Contrast TWO urban dynamics of change operating in this large city. 4 marks Two urban dynamics that has occurred in Sydney are urban decay and urban renewal. Urban decay is the deterioration of the built environment as urban infrastructure falls into a state of disrepair and buildings are left empty for long periods of times. Urban decay has occurred in Sydney due to the large shift away from manufacturing-based processes to a large focus on information services, part of the ‘new economy’. Globalisation and decentralisation has impacted this greatly as it has led to the relocation of manufacturing services away from the city or to the developing world where labour costs are lower. An example is in Pyrmont that was once a major manufacturing centre however due to the process of decentralisation, experienced urban decay. Furthermore, urban renewal is largely evident in Sydney as it refers to the redevelopment of an area that has experienced urban decay. For instance, after Pyrmont experienced urban decay, one of the largest urban renewal projects took place, changing it from an area of urban blight to the cultural hub of Sydney. Describe the spatial patterns of advantage and disadvantage in this large city. In Sydney, differences between advantaged and disadvantaged are growing. What are the results of ONE urban dynamic on the changing nature and location of residential land in a large city from the developing world? Suburbanisation is the movement of people, employment and facilities away from the inner-city towards the outer-urban areas, this process has greatly impacted the changing nature of locational land in Sydney. In Sydney, the introduction

People and Economic Activity DP1 Account for the future direction of the economic activity. 3 marks The viticulture industry is required to make various changes due to various global factors. Two important future directions the industry is making is technology and adapting to climate change. Although the absence of complete control has always been part of viticulture, a new generation of sensor-driven viticulture has enabled the ability to monitor and measure vines, including of devices that collect data on all aspects of viticulture such as vine growth, water and nutrient status. In addition, the increasing levels of climate change will result in the inability of many wine growing regions to continue. An example of an adaption to this is in Aurelio Montes testing dry farming on a large scale in Chile and producing good results. Explain TWO factors contributing to the future directions of this economic activity. 6 marks The viticultural industry is highly dynamic, requiring wine producing regions to make various changes due to global changes. Two related to the future directions of viticulture include of the use of technology and the need to adapt to climate change. The absence of absolute control has always been present in viticulture however, a new generation of sensor-driven technology has enable the

monitoring of various factors such as water and nutrient levels and vine growth. Viticulturists are able to gain the upper hand over the changing climates through the use of inexpensive sensor technology with data from thermal maps assisting in stamping out problems such as berry shrivel and assist in controlling the alcohol content in wines. Existing technology utilised includes of refrigeration, tank infrastructure and Stelvin screw caps. Furthermore, a study from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science has used predictive climate information for the year 2050 and have projected that many of the world’s best wine producing regions such as Burgundy, Bordeaux and Napa will not be able to maintain their production as they do today. As a response, theses wineries must use adapting farming techniques in order to keep these wine regions in operation. An example is in Aurelio Montes, Chile where they tested dry farming on a large scale and produced good results. Climate change has led to more rapid ripening and compact vintages through causing shorter time frames. This places massive pressure on many wine producing regions as this increases the chance of producing over-ripe grapes that create higher alcohol content which is disadvantageous as consumer preference is heading towards lower percentage wines. Explain the spatial patterns of this economic activity. 6 marks Wine has been produced for thousands of years. The first wine was thought to be in the region stretching from Spain to Central Asia, where wild grapes grew. Wine was spread by the Greeks and Romans into Europe where techniques were refined and developed, also starting the Old World. Wine was then spread from the Old World to other countries during the Age of Exploration and starting the New World. Now, the world’s wine producing regions are located between the 30 th and 50th degrees of latitude in both the Southern and Northern Hemisphere. This is due to climactic factors that suit grape growing consisting of 700mm annual rainfall and where temperatures are between 10 and 20 degrees. However, grapes can be grown outside these perimeters when viticulturists are able to adapt to the natural conditions through the use of unique farming techniques or an extensive use of technology. Outline the nature of this economic activity in a global context. 3 marks Viticulture is a primary industry that involves the cultivation and harvesting of grapes whereas, winemaking is the secondary industry that refers to the crushing and fermentation of grapes to produce wine. Viticulture is a highly specialised agricultural system that requires extremely specific conditions and highly skilled workers. Viticulturists must also work closely with winemakers due to vineyard management and the resulting grape characteristics, providing the distinctive taste. The wine industry is also split into two sections consisting of Old world wines that focuses on tradition and on the taste of wine and New world wines that implement contemporary practices and aim for consistency.

DP2 Explain how the changing use of technology has influenced an economic activity you have studied. 6 marks Technological developments are much more prominent in the wine producing regions of the New world where innovative processes are implemented rather than traditional processes. Technology’s changing use can be identified through the influence in improving wine quality and obtaining competitive advantage. Technology has greatly influenced wine quality as viticulturists use geospatial technology (GIS) in site selection, site monitoring and management. Recent wine industry also consists of an increasing concern for ecologically sustainable processes which has also led to the use of drip irrigation as it also provides various benefits such as only providing enough water needed for

the vines, discouraging weed growth and also enhances wine taste as vines are given a required amount. Furthermore, extensive use of technology can provide wine producing regions with competitive advantages through the use of internet as wineries are creating online websites to sell and promote wines such as the Scarborough wine website. Bottling is also done through technology saving time and labour costs. Explain how political and sociocultural factors have affected the spatial patterns of one global economic activity. 5 marks Political and sociocultural factors significantly impact the spatial patterns of viticulture and winemaking. Political factors can be split into international and national factors. In terms of affecting spatial patters, international factors influence it greatly through the main influencers including of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the European Union (EU) and bilateral trade agreements. The WTO is an intergovernmental organisation that regulates the rules of trade between nations to assist producers, importers and exporters to ease trade for members that join the organisation such as Australia, receiving better access to overseas markets. This affects spatial patterns as countries that are a part of it are able to better access the wine industry, increasing levels of wine in those countries. Furthermore, sociocultural factors consists of cultures from the Old world, mainly Italy to take place in New world countries. The European culture of moderate frequent consumption has led to countries in the New world such as Australia to have more occasional specific consumption, promoting the spread of wine to other countries. Describe one factor related to the nature of this economic activity. 3 marks One factor related to the nature of viticulture and winemaking are biophysical factors that consists of terroir, a French word for the specificity of place that affects the character of wine produced. Viticulture being a highly specialised agricultural system depends on various factors such as soil, slope and aspect. These must be managed by highly skilled workers to enable the growth of grapes.

DP3 Describe ONE economic impact and ONE social impact of the economic activity. 4 marks The increasingly pronoun wine industry has led to various economic and social impacts in countries and societies. An important economic impact is the income brought from the wine industry and economic activity. The increasing wine industry has led to a rise in economic significance. Income from the wine industry and related industries stimulates the national economy, contributing over $40 billion annually to the Australian economy. However, the increasing popularity of wine has led to the misuse leading to antisocial behaviour such as alcohol related violence. For instance, alcohol related violence in King’s Cross caused a number of deaths and injuries, leading to the introduction of the Sydney lockout laws in February 2014. Describe TWO environmental impacts of this economic activity Recent trends in the wine industry consists of consumers concerns on ecologically sustainable practices. This has greatly influenced consumer preferences and as a result has led to a great increase in the number of organic winemaking enterprises such as the giant US drink company, Brown Forman. It has led to various positive impacts as the use of chemicals have significantly reduced. However, the wine industry has also caused negative impacts such as to practice viticulture, the topography of the ecosystem must be drastically altered with the clearing of natural vegetation for crops, irrigation dams and terracing. However, these irrigation systems can lead to salinity issues

and disruptions in the flow regime of the river. For example, the Hunter Valley in NSW has been highly degraded and clearing of land adjacent the river has promoted increased soil erosion.

DP4 Describe the nature of the economic enterprise Scarborough Wines is a medium sized family winery since 1987. It is a highly specialised firm that is significantly mechanised and is a New World wine producer. They are a domestic industry that sells moderately priced wines with approximately 15 full-time workers and 2 cellar doors. They mainly produce grape wines such as Chardonnay (70%) and Shiraz....