P1: Ecosystems and Rainforests Flashcards
What is an ecosystem
A living community of flora and fauna which is linked to the particular environment in which they live.
It has 4 parts, climate and soil; vegetation and animals
All components are interrelated.
8 main biomes
- tundra
- coniferous forest
- deciduous forest
- mediterraneon
- temperate rainforest
- tropical rainforest
- desert
- tropical grassland
Factors that produce variations in global ecosystems
Altitude - places high up have lower temps
Relief - winds blowing of the sea will lose their moisture when forced to rise upwards.
COntinentaly distance from the sea - affects temp and precip rates.
Climate and vegetation of Savanah
climate - distinct wet and dry seasons. 15-20 degress. precip range - 410 mm 10 mm
vegetation - roots are big and wide. many trees lose their leaves so they don’t lose water through transpiration. thick bark to not catch fire.
Climate and Vegetation of Hot desert
Climate - formed at high pressure belts roughly 30 degrees north and south.
hot temps above 30
<250 mm rainfall annually
vegetation - plants are short due to lack of water
have waxy coats to reduce moisture loss.
thorns ward off predators.
Climate and Vegetation of Tundra
climate - above 60 degrees north and south. below freexing for 6-10 months a year. 300 - 500 mm yearly precipitation.
vegetation - scattered shrubs,moss.
Climate and Vegetation of Tropical Rainforest
climate - between the two tropics, 60+mm of rainfall per month.
vegetation - half the worlds animals and plants live here. Canopies are high competeting for the sunlight
Climate and Vegetation of Deciduous Woodland
climate - experiences all 4 seasons, average temp of 10-15 degrees, large variations between winter and summer. 70-100 mm precipitation monthly.
vegetation - trees lose their leaves in winter to preserve energy. broadleaved to capture maximum sunlight.
Climate and Vegetation of Coniferous Forest
climate - average 5-10 degrees, 100-130 mm monthly rainfall
vegetation - trees are evergreen to keep their leaves.
Soils and Nutrient Cycling in tropical forests
Biomass is the main store because this is the correct climate for biomass.
Everything is taken out of the soil store to the biomas store,
Some of the soil is washed away by leaching
All the leaves that fall on the group are rapidly decomposed.
Plant adaptations - Drip tips and thick waxy leaves
These allow the TRFs heavy convectional rainfall to be intercepted and then run off. Water flows from these drip tips have much less force than the raindrops from tropical storms. This keeps the already deteriorating soils from eroding further.
Plant adaptations - Emergents
When the canopy of leaves intercepts the rain, the wide leaves of canopy trees allow some water to lay on the them which the evaporates and the water is returened back into the atmosphere.
Plant adaptations - Buttress roots
The little layer at the top of the soild is richer tin nutrients and the trees have adapted by having shallow roots to take up the nutrients near the surface.
Plant adaptations - Lianas
Lianas are a type of vine with thick stems coming in various lengths. They attack themselves to the trees from the floor to go up the tree by winding itself around it.
Plant adaptations - Distinct layers
Flora require photosynthesis for growth, but they also require minerals from the soil. Plants have adjusted to the physical condition. This top canopy provides shade for the lower layers which means they need other methods of finding food - sunlight.
