Year 10 - Geography
Using GIS to visualise climate change impacts
Climate change and weather hazards
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit teaches pupils about climate change (causes, impacts and responses) together with extreme weather events, specifically tropical cyclones.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to use 2D and 3D GIS to visualise climate change impacts.
Key Notes
- Climate change impacts can be visualised and analysed using geospatial data.
- The impacts can be visualised with georeferenced data using the GIS tool called media layers.
- Configuration of media layers happens in a 2D webmap, which can be saved for even more powerful use in 3D maps.
- GIS tools can support analysis of media layers including measurement tools and the Elevation Profile tool.
Vocabulary To Learn
- geospatial data: georeferenced information including quantitative data (e.g. numbers) or qualitative data (e.g. photos), which has been tied to a particular location (geolocated)
- media layers: overlays of scanned maps, aerial or satellite images which can be georeferenced to visually line up with other layers
- Elevation Profile: a GIS tool which visualises changes in height above or below sea level along any transect line
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Glacial landforms are not created by climate change.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this geography topic using two clear key points.
Climate change impacts can be visualised and analysed using geospatial data. The impacts can be visualised with georeferenced data using the GIS tool called media layers.
2. Define this geography term and use it in an example. 'geospatial data'
georeferenced information including quantitative data (e.g. numbers) or qualitative data (e.g. photos), which has been tied to a particular location (geolocated).
3. Correct this common geography misunderstanding.
Mistake: Glacial landforms are not created by climate change. Correction: Glacial landforms are often linked to climate change. In many areas we can only see glacial landforms because the ice sheets and glaciers which created them have melted. Climate change also causes glacial processes which modify the landscape.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Effects of climate change on people and the environment Study Guide
- Evidence for climate change in the Quaternary period Study Guide
- Examples of preparation and responses to tropical cyclones Study Guide
- Global atmospheric circulation model, pressure belts and surface winds Study Guide
- Natural and human causes of climate change Study Guide
- Reducing risks from effects of tropical storms Study Guide
- Tropical storms – distribution, formation and development Study Guide
- Tropical storms – hazards and effects Study Guide
- Tropical storms – responses Study Guide
- Using GIS to map the track of a tropical storm Study Guide
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