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examBoard: Cambridge
examType: IGCSE
lessonTitle: Systems Diagrams and Triangular Graphs
Systems diagrams are visual tools that help us understand how different parts of a geographical system connect and interact with each other. They're incredibly useful for showing relationships between physical and human elements in our world.
Key Definitions:
Open systems exchange both energy and matter with their surroundings. Most geographical systems are open.
Example: A river basin receives inputs (rainfall), processes them (runoff, infiltration) and produces outputs (river discharge, evaporation).
Closed systems exchange energy but not matter with their surroundings. They're rare in geography but useful as models.
Example: The global water cycle is nearly closed as water is neither created nor destroyed, just recycled.
Systems diagrams use boxes and arrows to show how different components interact. They help simplify complex relationships and processes.
A coastal system includes inputs like wave energy and sediment supply, processes like erosion and transportation and outputs like sediment deposition or loss. The system stores include beaches, cliffs and offshore deposits.
When a change in the system enhances or amplifies the original change, creating a snowball effect.
Example: Deforestation → Less interception → More runoff → More erosion → Less vegetation → Even more runoff
When a change in the system counteracts the original change, creating balance or equilibrium.
Example: Rising temperatures → More evaporation → More cloud cover → Less solar radiation reaching Earth → Cooling effect
Triangular graphs (also called ternary graphs or tri-plots) are used to display the proportions of three variables that sum to 100%. They're especially useful in geography for showing soil composition, sediment analysis and population structures.
Key Features:
To read a point on a triangular graph:
The soil texture triangle is one of the most common triangular graphs in geography. It shows the proportion of sand, silt and clay in soil samples. The position on the triangle determines soil classification (e.g., sandy loam, silty clay).
For example, a soil with 40% sand, 40% silt and 20% clay would be classified as a loam. This information helps geographers understand drainage, fertility and other soil properties.
To plot data on a triangular graph:
Used for soil classification, sediment analysis and rock composition studies.
Used for population structure, employment sectors and land use analysis.
Practice interpreting and drawing both systems diagrams and triangular graphs for your iGCSE exams.
Systems diagrams are particularly useful for understanding:
Triangular graphs are commonly used for:
In your iGCSE Geography exam, you might be asked to:
Practice these skills regularly with different geographical examples!
Both systems diagrams and triangular graphs are powerful tools for visualising and analysing geographical data. They help simplify complex relationships and make patterns easier to spot.
When studying geographical processes, try to think about:
Remember that these graphical skills aren't just for exams - they're ways of thinking about geographical relationships that will help you understand the world around you!
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