AQA GCSE Geography Key Terms

The non-living physical components of an environment, such as sunlight, temperature, water, and soil.

The non-living parts of an ecosystem, such as climate, soil, light, water pH, and litter.

The loss of glacial ice, primarily through melting at the snout of the glacier.

The process where the river's load scrapes and grinds against the bed and banks like sandpaper, wearing them away.

The percentage of people who can obtain water that is not contaminated by harmful bacteria or parasites.

How close a measured value is to the true, real-world value, often improved by using better equipment.

The top layer of soil in Tundra biomes that thaws briefly during the summer months, allowing shallow-rooted plants to grow.

Actions taken to adjust to the effects of climate change to reduce potential damage, cope with consequences, or take advantage of new opportunities.

Growing plants in an air or mist environment without soil, where roots are sprayed with nutrients.

The process of planting trees in an area where there was previously no forest cover to create a natural carbon sink.

A population where the proportion of older people (usually aged 65+) is increasing relative to younger people.

A rainforest rodent that plays a crucial role in the seed dispersal and reproduction of the Brazil nut tree.

Large-scale commercial farming and the businesses associated with it, such as packing and research.

A sustainable farming system where trees or shrubs are grown around or among crops to maintain soil structure and canopy cover.

When a country relies heavily on external donors for funding basic services, hindering its ability to become self-sufficient.

A clear statement defining the overall goal or purpose of the fieldwork investigation.

The proportion of incident light or solar radiation that is reflected by a surface, such as ice or snow.

The extent to which a surface reflects light from the sun; highly reflective surfaces like white plastic roofs cause a localised cooling effect by reflecting solar radiation.

Fine-grained, fertile soil made of silt and clay that is deposited on a floodplain.

Energy sources used as an option to traditional fossil fuels, including both renewable (wind, solar) and non-renewable (nuclear) sources.

Useful features or facilities of a building or place, such as shops, parks, and transport links.

The breakdown of organic matter by bacteria in the absence of oxygen, such as in flooded rice paddies, which releases methane.

Linking words or phrases used to build causal chains, such as 'consequently', 'therefore', or 'as a result'.

A sketch or photograph with descriptive text added to describe specific features and geographical processes.

An explanatory note added to a diagram or sketch that describes a geographical characteristic or process.

Data points or results that do not fit the general pattern or trend of a dataset.

A data point or result that does not fit the overall pattern or trend.

A data point that does not fit the general trend or deviates significantly from the line of best fit.

High-pressure systems bringing stable, dry weather, which can mean clear and hot conditions in summer or cold and frosty weather in winter.

Assessment Objective 1, which tests knowledge and case study facts.