Activity 2_ Patterns and Trends

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The University of Queensland *

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ERTH3250

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Geography

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Oct 30, 2023

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Unit One: I Can Think Like a Geographer Activity 2: Patterns and Trends MINDS ON There has been no more influential technology in studying spatial and temporal changes to the Earth’s surface than that of Remote Sensing satellites. These “eyes in the sky” continuously scan the Earth’s surface, observing and recording the smallest changes. Did you know that the Latin meaning for the word “satellite” means: Geographers interpret the images produced by satellites, alter their properties to amplify or reveal patterns, and eventually use this data to better understand how the Earth is changing for better or worse. Using our powerful pattern recognition abilities, we will study a series of before and after satellite images of both human events and natural hazards affecting our planet. When viewing these images, use the concept of spatial significance and the questioning tools you learned in Activity 1 to understand the study area. Once you are confident that you know what you’re looking at, attempt to identify: ● How the landscape has changed spatially and temporally . ● Why that location is changing/what caused the change. Keep a record of what you observe in a way that you see fit. ACTION Part 1: Inquiry: The Look of Seven Disasters Before and After Select any one of the 7 disasters to gather and organize information. When gathering and organizing information it is important to use an effective way to keep track of what you find. Balancing this information in your head is easiest and requires the least amount of work. However, it is not the best method for keeping track of information that you might need later. You may want to use a method similar to the 2-column template provided below. Gather and Organize Formulate Questions and Interpret and Analyse ● ●

Unit One: I Can Think Like a Geographer Activity 2: Patterns and Trends Part 2: Now that you have the ability to organize information, it is time to introduce “ Patterns and Trends ” - the second concept of geographic thinking. Patterns and Trends involves identifying regions with similar or repeating characteristics. A pattern is a spatial observation that one place/situation proves to be part of a larger system containing the same observation. For instance, most avalanches in Canada occur on the West Coast, where a mountainous landscape exists. The similar landscape as well as the cluster of avalanches occurring there form a pattern. The Geographic Inquiry Model - continued In activity 1, we looked at the first step of the Geographic Inquiry Model - Formulating Questions . Using a variety of types of questions, we categorized them into the 3 general geographic questions of 1. What’s where? 2. Why there? And 3. Why care? to understand the first concept of geographic thinking - the “ spatial significance ” of the place. In this activity, we will use the second step of the geographic inquiry model to “ gather and organize ” data/information. There are many ways to record your research data - just make sure that your method of recording is both systematic, organized and with proper APA citations. The Second Concept of Geographic Thinking: Patterns and Trends Now that you have the ability to organize information, it is time to introduce “ Patterns and Trends ” - the second concept of geographic thinking. Patterns and Trends involves identifying regions with similar or repeating characteristics. A pattern is a spatial observation that one place/situation proves to be part of a larger system containing the same observation. For instance, most avalanches in Canada occur on the West Coast, where a mountainous landscape exists. The similar landscape as well as the cluster of avalanches occurring there form a pattern. Use the “ interactive ” to complete the chart and to quiz your understanding of each pattern type.

Unit One: I Can Think Like a Geographer Activity 2: Patterns and Trends The Five Types of Patterns: Type of Pattern/ Description Sketch/ example Dispersed: ● Concentrated ● Nucleated ● Linear ● Absent ● Trends are temporal observations that allow you to study a pattern over time. Not all patterns show trends but many do. To return to our above example, the majority of avalanches in Canada occur from late fall to early spring. The fact that avalanches have an observable “timing” pattern proves the existence of a trend. Types of Trends/description Example long term ● short term ● Increasing ●

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Unit One: I Can Think Like a Geographer Activity 2: Patterns and Trends Decreasing ● Seasonal ● Irregular ● Predictable ● Static ● How to Write a Complete “ Patterns & Trends” Analysis Patterns & Trends involve identifying regions with similar or repeating characteristics. A pattern is a spatial observation that in one place/situation proves to be part of a larger system containing the same observation. (eg. most avalanches in Canada occur on the west coast where a mountainous landscape exists. The similar landscape as well as the cluster of avalanches occurring there form a pattern). Trends are temporal observations that allow you to study a pattern over time. Not all patterns show trends but many do. (eg. The majority of avalanches in Canada occur from late fall to early spring. The fact that avalanches have an observable “timing” pattern proves the existence of a trend. We break patterns and trends up into manageable pieces in order to understand them. Identify observed patterns and trends in information you are studying. Step 1: Effectively describe patterns: Patterns can be dispersed, concentrated, nucleated, linear or absent. In order to describe a pattern you must use language that is spatially descriptive. Step 2: Effectively describe trends: Trends can be long term, short term, seasonal, irregular, predictable, increasing, decreasing or static. In order to describe a trend you must use language that is temporally descriptive. Analyse why characteristics repeat over space or time Step 3: Use evidence or an educated hypothesis to account for why a pattern or trend exists. Educated means logically possible and tied to common sense or a known relationship. Eg. Avalanches occur on the west coast during winter months due to the combination of steep slopes and snow.

Unit One: I Can Think Like a Geographer Activity 2: Patterns and Trends Determine the importance of why the characteristic repeats over space or time Step 4: Explain why knowing this is important and how it helps us understand a topic/phenomenon When studying disasters, importance often equals danger or risk to people and property. Eg.It is important to know when and where an avalanche is likely to happen in order to keep skiers, hikers and travelers safe. Example: Volcanoes in Southeast Asia - Use the example from the BrightSpace course to understand how to write a patterns and trends summary. Practice : Select one natural hazard from the ESRI map in BrightSpace to complete a patterns and trends analysis. Natural Hazard: __________________________________________________________________ Identify: Step One: Effectively describe patterns ● Step Two: Effectively describe trends ● Analyze: StepThree: Use evidence or an educated hypothesis to account for why a pattern or trend exists. ● Determine: Step 4: Explain why knowing this is important and how it helps us understand a topic/phenomenon ●