13. Human–Environment Interaction and Geographic Synthesis Free Online FlashCards

What is a human–environment system?

A human–environment system contains interacting population, mobility, culture, political, economic, settlement, and physical-environment components.

What is the population-change equation?

Population change equals births minus deaths plus immigration minus emigration.

How do push and pull factors differ?

Push factors encourage departure, such as conflict or insecurity; pull factors attract people, such as employment, safety, education, or family networks.

Why does environmental stress not determine migration by itself?

Environmental stress can influence migration, but income, transportation, government policy, social networks, and resource access also shape whether people move.

What is a cultural landscape?

A cultural landscape is a visible expression of the interaction between people and the natural environment.

Why are environmental decisions also political decisions?

Environmental decisions are political because governments and institutions determine access, control, land use, resource allocation, and protection.

What does environmental justice evaluate?

Environmental justice concerns the fair distribution of environmental benefits, risks, decision-making power, and access to resources.

How does subsistence agriculture differ from commercial agriculture?

Subsistence agriculture produces mainly for household or local consumption, whereas commercial agriculture produces for sale in domestic or international markets.

What is urban sprawl?

Urban sprawl is dispersed urban growth that consumes land faster than population growth.

How can impervious surfaces increase urban flooding?

Impervious urban surfaces prevent infiltration, increasing runoff and the risk of flooding.

What does geographic interpretation explain?

A strong geographic interpretation explains spatial patterns by considering physical conditions, historical processes, economic forces, culture, and political decisions.

What is the difference between correlation and causation?

Correlation means two patterns occur together; causation means one process produces or helps produce the other.