Unit 2527: Environmental Geography

1. Introduction to Environmental Geography

• Definition and scope of environmental geography
• Interactions between human societies and natural environments
• Human impacts on ecosystems: pollution, land use change, resource extraction
• The importance of interdisciplinary approaches

2. Biomes and Ecosystems

• Definition of biomes and ecosystems
• Major terrestrial biomes:
  • Forests (tropical, temperate, boreal)
  • Grasslands (savannas, prairies)
  • Deserts (hot and cold)
• Major aquatic ecosystems:
  • Freshwater (rivers, lakes, wetlands)
  • Marine (oceans, coral reefs, estuaries)
• Biodiversity and ecological functions in each biome
• Human influences on biome health and integrity

3. Climate Change and Global Warming

• Scientific basis of climate change
• Greenhouse gases: sources and effects
• Role of deforestation and fossil fuels in global warming
• Impacts on:
  • Ecosystems (species migration, extinction risks)
  • Human societies (health, agriculture, sea-level rise)
• Mitigation and adaptation strategies

4. Natural Hazards and Disasters

• Types of natural hazards:
  • Hurricanes
  • Earthquakes
  • Tsunamis
  • Wildfires
• Environmental and social impacts
• Disaster preparedness and risk reduction strategies
• Case studies of major disasters and responses

5. Conservation and Biodiversity

• Importance of biodiversity for ecosystem resilience
• Threats to biodiversity:
  • Habitat destruction
  • Climate change
  • Pollution
  • Invasive species
• Conservation strategies:
  • Protected areas
  • Species recovery programs
  • Community-based conservation

6. Water Resources and Management

• Global distribution of freshwater resources
• Challenges:
  • Water scarcity
  • Pollution
  • Over-extraction
• Sustainable water management practices:
  • Watershed management
  • Pollution control measures
  • Water conservation technologies

7. Urbanization and Land Use

• Patterns and drivers of urbanization
• Environmental impacts:
  • Urban sprawl
  • Land degradation
  • Air and water pollution
• Sustainable urban planning:
  • Green infrastructure
  • Smart growth
  • Urban green spaces

8. Environmental Policy and Sustainability

• Levels of environmental policy:
  • Local
  • National
  • Global
• Key agreements and initiatives (e.g., Paris Agreement, Convention on Biological Diversity)
• Environmental regulations and enforcement
• Principles and practices of sustainability
• Role of stakeholders: governments, NGOs, communities, businesses