Transport Systems and Environmental Impact

Study Notes

Changes to the Physical Environment

Transport systems occupy significant physical space, leading to habitat alterations.
Road construction often necessitates the clearing of natural vegetation, leading to environmental degradation.
Deforestation occurs as forests are removed to accommodate transportation infrastructure.
Fragmentation of animal habitats restricts movement, affecting wildlife populations.
Increased road networks result in higher instances of roadkill among wildlife.
Modification of landforms, such as slopes and mountains, occurs to facilitate transport routes.
Construction of train tunnels through mountains illustrates the alteration of natural landscapes for transportation needs.

Increased Carbon Footprint

The carbon footprint is defined as the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted due to human activities, including transport.
Transport activities rely on various energy sources, predominantly fossil fuels like petrol, which are combusted to produce energy.
The burning of fuels generates carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, exacerbating environmental impacts.
Transportation contributes significantly to the overall carbon footprint of human activities.
Excessive greenhouse gas emissions trap heat in the atmosphere, significantly influencing climate change.
The transport sector plays a key role in contributing to global warming through increased greenhouse gas emissions.

Description

Explore the significant effects of transport systems on the physical environment in this quiz based on Chapter 11. Learn how transport infrastructure leads to deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and alterations to landforms. Test your understanding of these critical environmental changes.