Geography key terms

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora: an international agreement intended to ensure that trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten species’ survival.

A range used to group numerical observations, such as depths from 10 cm up to, but not including, 20 cm.

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

The long-term pattern of weather in a place, usually described using averages and variability over at least 30 years.

Assessing how much an observed climate change is explained by different causes, including human activity and natural influences.

A long-term change in average climatic conditions, such as temperature and rainfall.

A graph showing how average temperature and precipitation vary through the months of a year.

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.

An estimate of past climatic conditions produced by interpreting and combining evidence.

The size of the climate’s warming response to an increase in greenhouse gases.

A broad region with similar long-term patterns of temperature and precipitation.

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 as erosion and cliff collapse remove material.

The movement of sediment from one place to another by waves or currents.

A plate boundary where two continental plates move towards one another, compressing and deforming the crust.

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

The establishment of control over a territory and its people by another country.

Generating electricity and using the heat produced at the same time, for example to heat nearby homes or workplaces.

Farming to produce crops or livestock for sale.

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

Growing crops or keeping animals to sell their products for income or profit.

Catching fish for sale rather than mainly for the fishers’ own consumption.

Land used for business activities, including shops and offices.

A raw material or agricultural product bought and sold, such as gold.