VCE Geography Unit 1: Natural Environments

Overview This unit investigates the geographic characteristics of natural environments and the natural processes that shape and change the earths surface. It investigates how the interactions between natural processes and human activities can also change natural environments. The worlds physical environment is composed of four natural systems: atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere. Human activities interact with natural processes, each affecting the other. Students investigate at least two natural environments.

Area of study 1. Characteristics of natural environments This area of study focuses on natural environment at two different scales, comparing and contrasting their geographic characteristics, for e.g. Location, climate, soils, drainage, natural vegetation and topography. It investigates natural processes, including extreme natural events, that create and change landforms, landscapes and environments.

Topics will include Forests Rivers

Key Knowledge The earths four natural systems Biosphere, lithosphere, Hydrosphere, atmosphere Landforms that make up landscapes Natural processes and factors that create natural environments Geographic characteristics of natural environments Distribution of natural environments at different scales

Key Skills Fieldwork Collect, sort, process and represent spatial data Identify and describe geographic characteristics Analyse and explain data

Area of study 2 Changes in natural environments

Changes In natural environments This area of study focuses on the dynamic nature of natural environments and the contribution of the various agents of change such as weathering, erosion, transportation and deposition as well as human activity. It explores the nature of change and the dimensions of change in different environments.

Topics may include: Deforestation Logging Fire Climate change Tourism Urban expansion Conservation (e.g. National parks)

Key Knowledge Types of changes to natural environments produced by natural processes and human activity Nature, rate and scale of interactions between natural environments and human activity The impact of change on natural environments and human activity The importance of the interactions between natural processes and human activity in influencing changes to natural environments, including the management of change.

Key Skills Fieldwork Process and represent data Describe and analyse data about changes to natural environments produced by the interaction between natural processes and human activity