HSC Geography › Human–Environment Interactions › 12.2

# Activity Materials — Land Cover Change at a Global Scale

NSW Stage 6 Geography (2022) · Student worksheet
Name: Class: Date:

## 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

1 | 2 | 3 | 4
--- | --- | --- | ---

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 |  |

Take it further — reputable sources: Global Forest Watch · UNCCD (desertification) · NASA Earth Observatory · Global Biodiversity Framework (30×30)

## 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.

Strengths | Limits
--- | ---

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: sustainability Concept: scale Concept: interconnection

Rose Bay Secondary College · HSC Geography · Human–Environment Interactions — Activities (12.2) · NESA Stage 6 (2022) · HSC 2026
Aligned to the NESA Geography Stage 6 Syllabus (2022); model answers in the teacher lesson plan.