Assignment 1: Regional Geography and Physical Landscape

About Assignment 1

This assignment is marked out of 100 and is worth 5 per cent of your final mark in the course. It is strongly recommended that you complete this assignment. It covers the following topics:

• The topical, regional, and systematic approaches to geography taken in the course
• The approaches that can be taken to understand the regions of British Columbia
• The rock cycle; formation and classification of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks; deformation of the earth’s surface; weathering, erosion, and depositional processes
• The distinction between weather and climate, and their distribution in the province
• The classification and distribution of soils and vegetation in British Columbia
• Models of natural hazards; measuring extreme geo-hazards; and responses to extreme events

Please answer the following questions. When you are finished, submit your assignment to your Open Learning Faculty Member for grading. Marks are as indicated. Be sure to make a copy of your work.

Part 1: Regional Geography of British Columbia

(25 marks)

1. Briefly describe (or draw a flowchart that outlines) the major (10 marks) divisions of geography and their foci of interests.
2. What are the three major goals of regional geography? (5 marks)
3. Locate the following two communities in Figures 3 and 1.8, pages 9 and 16 in the McGillivray text, and briefly outline what you think are the most important aspects of the physical and human landscape (e.g., physiography, climate, vegetation, settlement history, urbanization, geopolitical and economic development, resource base, tourism and recreation) for each place.

Location A: Fort Nelson                                                                             (5 marks)

Location B: Elkford                                                                                     (5 marks)

For this question, you may also wish to look at Figure 1.3 on page 7 in the Wood text and refer to the Biogeoclimatic Zones of British Columbia map.

The following websites will help you define concepts or answer questions in this part of the assignment:

MapPlace (BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Responsible for Core Review) GeoBC (BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations)

Accessing these websites is not required to complete this part of the assignment successfully.

Part 2: Geology, Geomorphology, and Geo-hazards

(25 marks)

1. How does plate tectonics theory contribute to our understanding (5 marks) of the geology and geomorphology of British Columbia?
2. Define and describe the two major kinds of igneous rocks, (5 marks) making sure that you explain how they are formed.
3. What is meant by the geological term “clastic”? (5 marks)
4. Briefly define the geological term “metamorphism.” (5 marks)
5. Why could a large-magnitude earthquake (for example, greater (5 marks) than Magnitude 7) be extremely destructive to southwestern British Columbia, and what can be done to reduce the impact of associated hazards and risks?

The following Websites will help you define concepts or answer questions in this part of the assignment:

MapPlace (BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Responsible for Core Review) Geoscape Canada (Natural Resources Canada)

The Atlas of Canada – Landslides (Natural Resources Canada)

Accessing these Websites is not required to complete this part of the assignment successfully.

Part 3: Climate, Soils, and Vegetation of British Columbia

(25 marks)

1. What are the characteristics of the major pressure systems and (5 marks) winds that influence the climate and weather of British Columbia? Are there seasonal differences in the interaction of these pressure systems?

2. Define the term “soil.” (5 marks)
3. Describe the nature and extent of forest vegetation cover in (10 marks) British Columbia.
4. Using examples from British Columbia, briefly explain what is (5 marks) meant by the ecological term “plant community.”

The following Websites will help you define concepts or answer questions in this part of the assignment:

Environment and Climate Change Canada (Environment Canada), Weather and Meteorology

Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification of BC (BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Regions and Districts)

Accessing these Websites is not required to complete this part of the assignment successfully.

Part 4: Review of Unit 1

(25 marks)

Prepare an essay on ONE of the following topics. Your essay should be no longer than 500 words (one to two pages). Illustrate your essay with relevant examples, diagrams, tables, and references to the course texts and other resources.

Complete ONE of the questions below:

1. For this question, submit two photographs or copies of topographic or thematic maps: one showing some aspect of alpine glaciation, and the other showing a coastal landform in British Columbia.

Accompany each photograph or map with an identification of the landform and a one-paragraph description of the geomorphic process(es) that produced the landform. You are encouraged to use your own photographs, but ones taken from websites, magazines, newspapers, calendars, and so on will also be acceptable. Do not use photos from a textbook where the answer is provided. Identify the location and source of your photographs or maps, and keep a copy of each for yourself for future reference.

2. Outline the controls and changes in climate experienced in British Columbia since the last glaciation (i.e., over the last 20,000 years).
3. Illustrate how the Avalanche Safety Network has developed in British Columbia, and outline the basic principles involved in its operation.
4. Illustrate how the Tsunami Safety Network has developed and outline the basic principles involved in its operation in British Columbia.

How to Submit Your Assignment

Remember to make a copy of your work before sending the completed assignment to your Open Learning Faculty Member for marking.

Follow the instructions in “How to Submit an Assignment Using Assignment Tool” posted within the “Assignments Overview” area.

Final Project Reminder

In this comprehensive exercise, you must write a 2500-word research essay that describes, evaluates, and summarizes the geographic patterns and interaction of biophysical and human landscapes, resource use, economic activity, and settlements in a region of your choice. Your essay should be based on fieldwork, independent research and should also incorporate the knowledge gained while working through each of the course units.

The Final Project is worth 25 per cent of your final mark.

It is recommended that you follow the suggested timetable:

• During the first week of the course, read through the instructions for completing the project and research essay.
• Shortly after completing Assignment 1, discuss the research essay with your Open Learning Faculty Member and decide upon at least a tentative framework for fieldwork, research sources, and writing.
• Work progressively on the research essay throughout the course as your knowledge develops with each unit.
• Submit your research design outlining the study area and scope of the essay along with Assignment 4. (The outline is worth 15 per cent of the project )
• Allocate some time to analysis, evaluation, and putting the final touches on material that you have gathered over the duration of the course.
• Submit your completed project along with Assignment

This is the end of Assignment 1.

 

Word Count: 1400-1500

No. of Pages: 8