Edexcel GCSE Geography A key terms

The shape of a river channel from one bank to the other, including its width and depth.

Artificial alteration of a river channel, including straightening it, to move water downstream more quickly.

The breakdown of rock through chemical reactions that change or dissolve its minerals.

A map that shades defined areas according to categories of numerical data.

A large-scale pattern of circulating air, involving rising, sinking and horizontal movement.

A steep rock face along the coast, shaped by erosion, weathering and collapse.

The long-term pattern of weather in a place, including temperature and precipitation.

A long-term change in average temperatures and other climate conditions, such as rainfall patterns.

An estimate of possible future climate conditions based on climate models and assumptions, such as a particular pathway of greenhouse gas emissions.

An indirect indicator of past climate, such as tree-ring width or preserved pollen, used when direct measurements are unavailable.

The wearing away and removal of material from the coast by the sea.

The covering of normally dry coastal land by seawater.

The inland movement of the coastline as coastal land is lost through erosion; also called coastal retreat.

The landward movement of a coastline or cliff edge over time.

Control of a territory by another country, often involving the exploitation of its people and resources.

Using or extracting resources to sell them or produce goods and services for profit.

The economic worth of a raw material or product that can be bought and sold, such as timber.

A measure made by combining several indicators into one overall score.

A coastline where bands of rock run approximately parallel to the coast.

A fee charged for driving within a designated area, intended to discourage traffic and encourage alternative ways of travelling.

A cone-bearing tree, such as pine, spruce or fir, usually with needle-shaped leaves.

The ability of people and places to connect through transport, communications and digital networks.

The protection and careful management of landscapes, habitats and valued features.

Using grazing animals to maintain or restore habitats and support their wildlife.

An organism that obtains energy by feeding on other organisms.

The use of resources such as food, energy and water by people and economic activities.

A line on a map joining places of equal height above mean sea level.

The vertical difference in height between adjacent contour lines.