Intro to living world

Question 1

What are the natural changes to small-scale ecosystems?

Answer 1

Hot and dry weather can cause ponds to dry up = plants dry out = consumers deprived of energy source. Fish starved of oxygen & predators forced to adapt or die out.

Question 2

How do humans cause changes to freshwater ponds?

Answer 2

Excess fertilisers leached out of farmland and into rivers leads to eutrophication = algal bloom = deoxygenation of water by bacteria breaking algae down = plants and fish die. Ponds drained for agriculture = plants & fish die.

Question 3

How do humans cause changes to fields and hedgerows?

Answer 3

Wooded areas deforested = habitats destroyed & nutrient cycling affected. Hedgerows removed to increase field size = destruction of ladybird, spider & greenfly habitats = reduced populations = reduced food source for sparrows & thrushes.

Question 4

Where is Moseley Bog located?

Answer 4

In south Birmingham.

Question 5

What are the physical characteristics of the Bog?

Answer 5

It is a mixture of woodland & bog (soft, spongy wetland).

Question 6

Give examples of producers in the freshwater pond at Moseley Bog.

Answer 6

Pond weed & algae.

Question 7

Give examples of consumers in the freshwater pond at Moseley Bog.

Answer 7

Buzzards, frogs, minnows, waterboatment & snails.

Question 8

Give examples of decomposers in the freshwater pond at Moseley Bog.

Answer 8

Bacteria, water worms & rat tailed maggots.

Question 9

What were the proposed changes to Moseley Bog?

Answer 9

Plans to build 22 houses in 1980.

Question 10

Why were the proposed changes unsuccessful?

Answer 10

‘Save our Bog’ campaign caused Birmingham City Council to put a stop to the development.

Question 11

What is a biome?

Answer 11

A large scale, global ecosystem, defined mainly by the dominant type of vegetation that grows there.

Question 12

Where is tundra located?

Answer 12

At high latitudes (above 60˚N): N Europe, Alaska and N Canada.

Question 13

What type of vegetation is tundra characterised by?

Answer 13

Mosses, grasses & low shrubs.

Question 14

Where do we find tropical rainforests?

Answer 14

Between 23.5˚N and 23.5˚S of the equator. In south east Asia, Central America, South America, central Africa & northern Australia.

Question 15

Where are tropical grasslands (savannahs) located?

Answer 15

Between 15-30˚ north and south of the equator.

Question 16

What is tropical grassland (savannah) climate like?

Answer 16

It is characterised by distinct wet and dry seasons.

Question 17

At which latitudes do we find temperate deciduous forests?

Answer 17

50-60˚N of the equator.

Question 18

What is the temperate deciduous forest climate like?

Answer 18

There are 4 seasons. Summers are warm, winters are fairly mild and there is rainfall all year round.

Question 19

Where are hot deserts located?

Answer 19

Between 15-35˚ north and south of the equator

Question 20

Where are the polar regions located?

Answer 20

At very high latitudes, within the Arctic Circle & Antarctic Circle.