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1.B Living World Flashcards

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1
Q

What does biotic mean

A

Living

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2
Q

What does abiotic mean

A

Non-living

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3
Q

What is an ecosystem

A

The biotic and abiotic compounds of an area

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4
Q

What are examples of small and large scale ecosystems

A

Small - garden pond
Large - tropical rainforest

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5
Q

What is another word for a large scale ecosystem

A

Biome

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6
Q

What is biodiversity

A
  • biodiversity refers to the variety of plant and animal species within an ecosystem.
  • The level of biodiversity depends on the climate available, habitats and food sources.
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7
Q

What is interdependence

A
  • within an ecosystem, the different biotic compounds depend on each other, and the abiotic compounds for survival ( food water shelter)
  • this is known as interdependence.
  • It means that changes in one component can have a significant impact on other parts of the ecosystem.
  • One of the main interactions between biotic compounds is feeding.
  • These interactions can be shown as a food, chain or web.
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8
Q

What is the difference between a food chain and web

A

Food web is a whole ecosystems food chains shown together

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9
Q

What are producers

A

First component in a food chain or web
Usually something the photosynthesis so they can make their own food

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10
Q

What are primary consumers

A
  • producers are eaten by primary consumers, herbivore/omnivores
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11
Q

What are secondary consumers

A

They eat the primary consumers

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12
Q

What are tertiary consumers

A

They eat the secondary

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13
Q

What are decomposers

A
  • these are fungi and bacteria, and they:
  • help to return energy/nutrients back to the soil
  • breakdown dead organic matter plant/animal waste,
  • release energy from organic matter, so it can be recycled
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14
Q

What is a stable ecosystem

A
  • A stable ecosystem is one where all the biotic and abiotic components on balance, so that the populations remain constant
  • this may take hundreds of years to develop
  • disruption to the ecosystem can result in either natural events or results of human activity
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15
Q

What are examples of natural and human activities that can effect the balance of an ecosystem

A

Natural :
- Wildfires caused by lightning
- climate change
- spread of invasive species
- disease
- extreme weather events

Human activity :
- deforestation
- human hunting of animals,
- introduction of invasive species, such as grey squirrels which compete red squirrels
- Hedgerow removal
- changes to water supply
- addition of chemicals, fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides
- fires, used to clear land

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16
Q

How many biomes are there in the earths hemisphere

A

11

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17
Q

What is the biome distribution

A
  • latitude- with distance from the equator temperatures and sunshine hours decrease
  • precipitation- areas of high pressure experience low rainfall and areas of low pressure experience higher rainfall.
    -Altitude- increase in altitude leads to decrease in temperature.
    -Confidentially- locations farther inland heats up more quickly in the summer and Cool more quickly in the winter
    -oceans currents- warm and cold currents circulate in the oceans either warming or cooling the adjacent land
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18
Q

What is the location , climate characteristics, other characteristics of tropical rainforest

A

Location
- Low latitude is within the tropics, 23.5° north and south of the equator found in South America, Asia and Africa

Climate characteristics
- annual rainfall 2000 mm. High temperature is 26 to 28°C. convectional rainfall.

Other characteristics
- ideal conditions for plant growth.High levels of biodiversity.Distinct layers of vegetation.

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19
Q

What is the location , climate characteristics, other characteristics of tropical monsoon forest

A

Climate
-5 to 30° north and south of the equator, located in India, Central America and south east Asia

Climate characteristics
- rainfall between 702,000 mm. Temperature is 30 to 45°C in summer and 15 to 30°C in winter. Moon sun rain is the rainy season.

Other characteristics
- High levels of biodiversity. Mahogany,teak, lands, orchids, monkeys, Jaguars, snakes, frogs.

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20
Q

What is the location , climate characteristics, other characteristics of mediterranean

A

Location
- approximately 40 to 45° north of the equator southern Europe and North African

Climate characteristics
-Hot dry summers wet mild winters temperatures usually between 20 to 25°C. In winter temperatures are around 10°C. Rainfall average is 800 mm.

Other characteristics
- dense scrubland. Vegetation includes herbs, such as lavender, and rosemary. Trees include citrus and olives.

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21
Q

What is the location , climate characteristics, other characteristics of deciduous forest

A

Location
- approximately 50° north of the equator, Europe and North America

Climate characteristics
- wet mild, winters and warm dry summers average temperatures around 10° with no extremes

Other characteristics
-deciduous trees which lose their leaves in winter due to the cooler temperatures include oak beach, ash. Wide range of animals and plants. The rabbits squirrels bears.

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22
Q

What is the location , climate characteristics, other characteristics of coniferous forest

A

Location
- approximately 60° north of the equator, northern Europe, Canada and Russia

Climate characteristics
-Cold winters in mould summers winter temperatures can reach -40°C and summer temperatures 20°C

Other characteristics
-Many trees are evergreen. Includes species such as spruce and pine. Less biodiversity than temperature forests. Bears squirrels foxes wolves

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23
Q

What is the location , climate characteristics, other characteristics of savanna

A

Location
- between 15 and 13° north and south of the equator, South America, Central Africa, Australia

Climate characteristics
-distinct, wet and dry seasons temperatures vary between 15 and 35°C annual rainfall 800 to 900 mm

Other characteristics
- Dominated by grass, scatter the trees, including Baobab and acacia . Savanna animals include giraffes, lions, zebras elephants

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24
Q

What is the location , climate characteristics, other characteristics of temperate grassland

A

Location
- between 30 and 40 north and south of the equator, southern Africa, Russia, North America

Climate characteristics
-Hot summers 40°C cold winds -30°C annual rainfall of 250 to 750 mm a year

Other characteristics
-dominated by grass, very few trees animals, including deer and snakes

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25
What is the location , climate characteristics, other characteristics of **desert**
Location -approximately 20 to 30° North and south of the equator, Africa, Australia, south and North America Climate characteristics -Hot daytime temperatures up to 50°C, but average at 25°C nighttime temperatures below 0°C precipitation, below 250 mm Other characteristics - Low diversity, plants include cacti animals, including spiders, scorpions camels
26
What is the location , climate characteristics, other characteristics of **polar/tundra**
Location -above 60° north and south of the equator, Arctic and Arctic, northern Canada Siberia Climate characteristics -called a year round brief call summers in tundra areas below 0°C for6 to 10 months precipitation often below 215 mm Other characteristics -Low biodiversity, short, growing season, small grass, lichens and mosses . Arctic Fox polar bears penguins
27
where are tropical rainforests biome found
between 15 north and south of the equator within the equatorial climate zone
28
what are the main areas of tropical rainforest ecosystem
- amazon - Central America - Central Africa - indo-Malaysia
29
what are the man characteristic's of TRF
**location** - low latitudes (distance from the equator) 23.5 degrees N and S **annual precipitation** - over 2000mm **temperature range** - from 26 to 28 degrees Celsius, constant high temperatures - **seasons** no seasons hot all year round - **humidity** - high, usually over 75-80% - **soils** - solid is not very fertile due to plants taking everything in so quickly. - **biodiversity** - highest on earth 50-80% of the earths species
30
how does deforestation effect the TRF
loss of habitat, reduction in biodiversity, impacts the nutrient cycle
31
how is the nutrient cycle is the TRF
-trees and plants lose their leaves all year round -high levels of moisture and high temperatures lead to rapid decomposition and recycling of nutrients - plants grow quickly which leads to a rapid uptake of nutrients from the soil - nutrient cycle is generally rapid - most of the nutrients are stored in biomass - few nutrients stored in soil
32
what is the nutrient cycle
the movement and recycling of essential elements within an ecosystem
33
what are the 3 components of the nutriet cycle
- biomass - litter - soil
34
what is the name of the process going from litter to soil
decomposition
35
what is the name of the process going from soil to biomass
uptake by plants
36
what is the name of the process going from biomass to litter
fallout
37
what is biomass
the total mass of living or recently dead organisms in a given area made up of both plants and organism
38
what is the structure of the tropical rain forest
- ground layer (0m) - shrub layer (3-4m) - under canopy (15m) - canopy (30m) - emergent (45-55m)
39
what are the adaptations of plants within the tropical rainforest
- **waxy leaves with drip tips** - these ensure that rainwater runs off the leaf and does not remain which would encourage mould growth or break the leaf
40
what are the adaptations of animals within the tropical rainforest
- sloth : algae grow in the fur of the sloth helping to camouflage it - toucan : they have a large bill to reach and cut fruit from branches and trees also strong allow to crack nuts - primates : they have prehensile tails to help them climb trees - geckos : they have large flattened toe pads with sticky scales which allow them to grips the smooth tree trunks - stick insects : their stick and leave shapes halo them to be camouflaged
41
How do tropical rein forests have high levels of biodiversity
- the wet and warm climate means there is year round growth - wide variety of plants provide a range of habitats and food - rapid nutrient cycle increases plant growth - lack of human activity has in the past meant that plants and animals are undisturbed
42
What are some of the threats to the rainforest biodiversity
Human activity - agriculture - mining - hydroelectric power - logging - road building and settlements - wildfire
43
What are the 6 main causes of deforestation
- hydropower - road building - agriculture - mining - Logging - Settlement
44
What is an example of a natural causes of deforestation
Wildfires
45
How does hydropower impact levels of deforestation
Building dams and reservoirs take up space within the forest trees need to be cut down to make the space
46
How does agriculture impact levels of deforestation
Huge areas are cleared for plantations such as soy or palm oil as well as for grazing cattle
47
What are the environmental impacts of deforestation
- areas that have been deforested are planted with monoculture which reduces biodiversity - interception (leaves and branches catch rainfall before it hits that ground) and infiltration (rainwater socking into soil) decreases which reduces evapotranspiration (evaporation water turning to vapour and transpiration water released from plants) and as a result precipitation (rain, snow, sleet ) decreases - increases overland flow which leads to soil erosion and sedimentation - Build up of sediment in rivers increases risk of flooding - fewer trees increase around of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere - soils become less fertile and more dry
48
How does deforestation impact the nutrient cycle
- majority of nutrients is held in biomass - when trees and vegetation are cleared by deforestation the main store of nutrients is removed - fewer trees, fewer leaves dropped , fewer nutrients in the soil, fewer newer trees growth
49
What are some social impacts of deforestation
- indigenous communities have less land to sustain their traditional way of life - land does not get the opportunity to recover - less food available - improved quality of life for some people die to increases income and jobs - indigenous communities may give up their way of life leading to a loss of culture and traditions - increases risk of landslides which can destroy homes and block roads - loss of potential medicines - increased Rick of flooding settlements
50
What are some economic impacts of deforestation
- more jobs available in mining forestry agriculture - increases income for the country through exports if goods from the forest
51
What goods are produced in the rainforest
- building materials - existing food crops - wild meat and fish - water - medicine - energy
52
What services are 8 found in tropical rainforest
- nutrient cycle - Gas exchange - water cycle - climate regulation - soil quality - disease and pest control - leisure and recreation - cultural heritage
53
What is a carbon sink
- this is anything which absorbs more carbon from the atmosphere than they release
54
What are some international strategies to manage tropical rainforest
- UN forum on forest was established in 2000 and is committed to management conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests - international treaties protect certain areas such as the central Amazon conservation complex which is a world heritage site - forest stewardship council approves wood from sustainable resources - debt reduction countries are relieved of some of the debt in return for protecting rainforests
55
What are some national strategies management if tropical rainforest
- there are 68 national parks is Brazil these are protected areas where the aim is to conserve the ecosystem - a reforestation project which is part of the Amazonia sustainable landscape project it aims to restore 30,000 hectares of land to the forest by 2023 (involves plants 73 million trees)
56
What are local strategies to manage tropical rainforest
- agroforestry combines agriculture with forest which means some trees remain which decreases deforestation - education of people involved in the exploitation and management of the rainforest - Small scale projects - school-based agriculture education and scholarships - ecotourism
57
Where are hot desert biomes mostly found
On the equator and around the tropics of cancer and Capricorn
58
What is the location of hot desert
- 15° - 30° north and south of the equator - North Africa, Sahara Southern Africa, Australia, Middle East
59
What is the annual precipitation for hot deserts
Below 250mm
60
What is the temperature range for hot deserts
- daytime temperatures can reach up to 50°c but average 25°c - nighttime temperatures below 0°c - diurnal range is large up to 45°c - annual range is 15°c
61
What are the seasons for hot deserts
- summer and winter
62
What is the humidity for hot deserts
Low of teen between 10-30%
63
What is the biodiversity for hot deserts
Low biodiversity 5000-6000 plant species Plants include cacti and yucca Animals include spiders scorpions camels lizards
64
What factors influence the hot desert climate
- high pressure : Means the air is descending and warming so precipitation does not occur because the air is not rising - revealing winds are usually from over land masses which means they don’t contain much moisture
65
Is the nutrient cycle fast or slow in hot deserts
Slow
66
Where is most nutrient stored in hot desert
Soil
67
What are the adaptations of plants in hot deserts
- low growing this helps to avoid water loss due to strong winds - thick stems used to store water - shallow roots these spread out near the surface to catch watch when rainfalls - long roots some plants have long tap roots instead of shallow roots to reach water deep underground - small leaves the smaller surface area reduces water loss
68
What are the adaptations of animals in hot deserts
- camels have a range of adaptations including two sets of eyelashes and nostrils which Cole’s to keep sand our if the eyes. - they also store fat in their jumps so they can survive long periods of time without water or food - fennec fox have large ears which help them lose heat - burrowing many animals burrow to avoid the Inness daytime heat - nocturnal some animals hunt at night to avoid the daytime heat
69
What are some threats to hot Deserts biodiversity
- mining - climate change - fuelwood gathering
70
What opportunities does hot deserts provide
- energy (solar) - mineral extraction - tourism - agriculture
71
What challenges do hot deserts have
- Extreme temperatures - accessibility lack of roads - water supply
72
What is desertification
The spread of desert like conditions like conditions into semi-arid areas
73
What are the natural causes of desertification
- soil erosion leads to loss of nutrients - rainfall patterns become less predictable leading to drought - reduced vegetation means nutrients are not added to the soil
74
What are the human causes of desertification
-overgrazing vegetation is gone due to the numbers of animals or the land doesn’t change over time - over - cultivation leads to all the nutrients being take; up by crops leaving non for future vegetation to grow - deforestation removes shade for the soil and means there are no roots which binds the soils together - population growth puts increased pressure on the Kane as powwow raise more animals and grow more crops
75
What are some strategies to reduced risk of desertification
- water management: earth dams used in wet seasons to store water, contour stones can be used to increase infiltration - education: sustainable farming methods (crop rotation) - agroforestry: some trees Tainan which decreases deforestation provides shade also organic matter from trees and adds nutrients to the soil - afforestation: planting trees - contour stones or bunds : helps reduce soil erosion
76

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