HSC Geography › Human–Environment Interactions › 12.2
Activity Materials — Land Cover Change at a Global Scale
NSW Stage 6 Geography (2022) · Student worksheet
Activity 1 · Match the change to its zone
Spatial patterns of land cover change · ~10 min
Match each land-cover change to the climate zone where it concentrates, and give one named example.
| Change | Climate zone | Named example |
|---|
| Deforestation | | |
| Desertification | | |
| Retreating ice | | |
Activity 2 · Deforestation's double blow
Applying geographical understanding · ~15 min
Complete the two consequence branches, then write one sentence explaining why deforestation is a “double” problem.
| Branch A — Biodiversity | Branch B — Carbon / climate |
|---|
| | |
| | |
One-sentence explanation:
Activity 3 · The desertification cycle
Reading a systems diagram · ~10 min
Put the stages in order to complete the feedback loop (1–4), then explain why it is “self-reinforcing.”
Stages: soil erosion · overgrazing/clearing + drought · lower fertility · vegetation lost
Why is it self-reinforcing?
Activity 4 · Place-study file
Acquiring & organising geographical information · ~20 min (may be homework)
Choose ONE place study and complete the file from reputable sources. Record the source for each fact.
| Field | Your notes | Source |
|---|
| Place & change | | |
| Causes | | |
| Impacts (environment + people) | | |
| A response / management | | |
Activity 5 · Evaluate the “30×30” agreement
Assessing a management strategy · ~15 min
List strengths and limits of the 2022 agreement, then write a one-sentence judgement of its effectiveness.
Judgement (how effective, and why?):
Activity 6 · Extended-response plan
Communicating geographical understanding · ~15 min
Plan (dot points only) a response to the question.
Question: “Explain the causes and impacts of land cover change, and evaluate ONE response.”
| Paragraph | Content (dot points) |
|---|
| Introduction | |
| Body 1 — causes | |
| Body 2 — impacts | |
| Body 3 — evaluate a response | |
| Conclusion | |
Concept: sustainabilityConcept: scaleConcept: interconnection