7. People and the Biosphere: Global Ecosystems

Question 1

What are biomes

Answer 1

A large scale, global ecosystems with distinctive vegetation

Question 2

What is an ecosystem

Answer 2

Includes all living and non living things in an area

Question 3

What is climate

Answer 3

It determines what type of biome forms

Question 4

What is climate of a TRF

Answer 4

Hot and wet all year round

Question 5

TRF climate

Answer 5

Same all year round
Hot (20-28 degrees) this is because it is near the equator and sun is overhead all years
Rainfall is very high

Question 6

TRF characteristics

Answer 6

Climate affects the plants animals and soil

Plants : most trees are evergreen and grow quickly

Animals : dense vegetation provides lots of food and habitats - lots of different species

Soil : plants grow quickly and shed leaves all year round - decompose quickly so constant supply of nutrients in the soil and nutrients are cycled quickly

Question 7

Temperate forests climate

Answer 7

Four distinct seasons - summers are warm and winters cool. High rainfall all year round. Days are shorter in the winter and longer in the summer - sunshine hours vary during the year

Question 8

Temperate forests characteristics

Answer 8

Plants : fewer plants species compared to TRF - more than boreal - broad leaved trees and drop their leaves in autumn

Animals : mild climate and range of plants provides food and habitats

Soil : plants loose leaves in autumn - leaf litter decomposes quickly in moist mild climate - soil is thick and nutrient rich

Question 9

What is the climate of temperate forests

Answer 9

Mild and wet

Question 10

What’s is the climate of boreal forests

Answer 10

Cold and dry

Question 11

Boreal forest climate

Answer 11

Short summers (10), long winters ( -20 and lower)
Precipitation is low but mostly snow
Get lots of daylight during summer months but next to none during winter - skies usually clear

Question 12

Boreal forests characteristics

Answer 12

Plants : most trees - evergreen - coniferous trees - pine and fir are common

Animals : few animal species as there is less food - animals have to adapt to the cold climate

Soil : needles for trees decompose slowly - soils are nutrient poor, thin and acidic - some areas have frozen ground

Question 13

What is the climate of the desert

Answer 13

Low rainfall

Question 14

Desert climate

Answer 14

Rainfall is very low - once every 2-3 years
Hot desert temperatures range from - hot in day -> cold at night
Hot deserts - more daylight during summer - little cloud cover

Question 15

Desert characteristics

Answer 15

Plants : sparse - lack of rainfall - few plants

Animals : few animal species - have to be adapted to harsh climate

Soil : sparse vegetation - little leaf litter - dry climate -> organic matter slow to decompose - thin and nutrient poor

Question 16

What is the climate of the tundra

Answer 16

Cold and dry

Question 17

Tundra climate

Answer 17

Low temperatures - precipitation very low but mostly falls as snow
Tundra found at high latitudes - near continuous daylight in summer but little in winter - more cloud cover in summer

Question 18

Tundra characteristics

Answer 18

Plants : lack of light and cold climate - hard for plants to grow - not many trees - vegetation includes mosses, grasses and shrubs

Animals : few animal species - some migrate south for the winter

Soil : sparse vegetation - little leaf litter - cold, dry climate - organic matter decomposes slowly - soil is thin and nutrient poor - layer of permafrost below soil

Question 19

What are tropical grasslands climate

Answer 19

Low rainfall - distinct wet and dry seasons - temp is highest just before wet season - lowest just after - found around the equator - light received varies throughout the year

Question 20

Tropical grasslands characteristics

Answer 20

Grass, scrub and small plants with a few scattered trees - lots of insects
Grass dies back during dry season - forms thing and nutrient rich soil - nutrients washed out during wet season

Question 21

Temperate grasslands characteristics

Answer 21

Dominated by grasslands and small plants - have few trees - have fewer animal species that tropical grasslands - high temps in summer - decomposition is fast - soil is thick and nutrient rich

Question 22

Temperate grasslands climate

Answer 22

Hot summers - cold winters - 250-500 mm precipitation each year - further from equator - light received varies throughout year

Question 23

What local factors affect biome distribution

Answer 23

Altitude

Rock type

Soil type

Drainage

Question 24

How does altitude affect biome distribution

Answer 24

Higher altitudes - cooler temps - fewer plants grow - limits amount of animal species - not much organic matter - soils are thin or non existent

Question 25

How does rock type affect biome distribution

Answer 25

Some rock types - easily weathered to form solis - different types contain different minerals - affects how nutrient rich soil is
Some rocks are permeable and others are impermeable

Question 26

How does soil types affect biome distribution

Answer 26

Nutrient rich soil - supports more plants
Accidity and drainage of soils varies affecting the plants that can grow

Question 27

How does drainage affect biome distribution

Answer 27

Drainage poor -> soil gets waterlogged - plants adapted to wet conditions grow there
Wet areas may be home to aquatic species of plants and animals

Question 28

What is a biotic component

Answer 28

The living parts of a biome - plants and animals (flora and fauna)

Question 29

What is an abiotic component

Answer 29

Non living parts e.g. soil, rock, atmosphere, water