1GB3 Flashcards
(113 cards)
1
Q
What is the biosphere?
A
The layer of Earth with all living organisms.
2
Q
What are biomes?
A
Large-scale ecosystems like rainforests or deserts.
3
Q
What controls biome distribution?
A
Climate—temperature, rainfall, and sunshine.
4
Q
What local factors affect biomes?
A
Rock/soil type, water availability, and altitude.
5
Q
How does altitude affect biomes?
A
Higher altitude = colder, wetter.
6
Q
What are abiotic components?
A
Non-living parts like soil, air, and water.
7
Q
What are biotic components?
A
Living parts—plants and animals.
8
Q
Name a provisioning service.
A
Timber or food.
9
Q
Name a supporting service.
A
Photosynthesis.
10
Q
Name a regulating service.
A
Carbon storage.
11
Q
Name a cultural service.
A
Tourism or education.
12
Q
What is a carbon sink?
A
Stores carbon—like forests.
13
Q
How do forests affect air?
A
Remove CO₂ via photosynthesis.
14
Q
What happens when biomes are cleared?
A
CO₂ is released; air and soil are harmed.
15
Q
What increases surface runoff?
A
Deforestation.
16
Q
What causes biomes to be exploited?
A
Demand for farming, timber, and minerals.
17
Q
What is Malthus’s theory?
A
Population will outgrow resources.
18
Q
What is Boserup’s theory?
A
Humans innovate to meet needs.
19
Q
Why is rainforest biodiversity high?
A
Hot, wet climate and complex layers.
20
Q
What are buttress roots for?
A
Support tall trees.
21
Q
Why do lianas climb trees?
A
To reach sunlight.
22
Q
What adaptation do macaws have?
A
Strong beaks to open nuts.
23
Q
How do monkeys adapt to the canopy?
A
Tails for balance.
24
Q
Why is nutrient cycling fast in rainforests?
A
Rapid decay, growth, and high biomass.
25
What happens to nutrients after deforestation?
Nutrients are lost; soil is degraded.
26
Why does farming fail in rainforest areas?
Soils are nutrient-poor after trees go.
27
What is taiga biodiversity like?
Low due to cold and dry climate.
28
How do mammals survive in taiga?
Thick fur and winter hibernation.
29
How do birds survive taiga winters?
Many migrate to warmer areas.
30
What tree type dominates the taiga?
Coniferous trees with waxy needles.
31
Why are taiga trees cone-shaped?
To shed snow easily.
32
Why is taiga nutrient cycling slow?
Cold slows decay and nutrient flow.
33
Where are most nutrients in taiga stored?
In litter due to slow decomposition.
34
What is the main direct threat to rainforests?
Deforestation for farming and resources.
35
Why is cattle ranching a threat?
Global demand for beef and soy.
36
Why do poor people cut trees?
For subsistence farming and fuelwood.
37
Why do countries exploit forests for debt?
To pay off national debt with exports.
38
What developments cause deforestation?
Urban growth, HEP dams, palm oil.
39
How does climate change indirectly affect rainforests?
Causes droughts and disrupts food chains.
40
What happens during droughts in the Amazon?
CO₂ is released instead of absorbed.
41
Why is taiga deforestation increasing?
Demand for paper, timber, and resources.
42
Why is softwood important in construction?
Used for roofing and building materials.
43
How does mining harm the taiga?
Forests cleared to access minerals.
44
How do fossil fuels threaten taiga?
Oil and gas extraction removes forests.
45
What causes taiga wildfires?
Hot, dry summers and lightning strikes.
46
How do pests threaten the taiga?
Warmer climate spreads insects and disease.
47
What is the effect of acid rain?
Damages trees and reduces soil nutrients.
48
What is CITES?
Treaty to protect endangered species globally.
49
How does CITES help rainforests?
Protects animals, but not whole forests.
50
What is REDD?
UN plan to reduce deforestation and emissions.
51
How does REDD work?
Funded by governments and companies.
52
What limits REDD’s success?
Illegal logging is hard to police.
53
What is ecotourism?
Sustainable tourism providing local jobs.
54
How does agroforestry protect rainforests?
Grows crops between trees, keeps biodiversity.
55
What threatens future rainforest sustainability?
Population growth and urbanisation.
56
Why is the taiga under pressure?
For oil, gas, minerals, and HEP.
57
What is a wilderness area?
Large natural areas with minimal development.
58
What are national parks for?
To protect wilderness like the taiga.
59
What is RAMSAR?
Agreement protecting valuable wetlands.
60
Why is taiga protection controversial?
Conflict between economic and environmental goals.
61
Who may disagree about taiga use?
Indigenous people vs. oil companies.
62
What is selective logging?
Cutting only valuable trees, leaving others.
63
What are non-renewable resources?
Finite; can’t be replaced (e.g., coal).
64
What are renewable resources?
Infinite; never run out (e.g., wind).
65
What are recyclable resources?
Reused, like nuclear or biofuels.
66
How can energy production harm landscapes?
Causes deforestation, pollution, and visual impacts.
67
What are some downsides of wind or solar?
May look out of place visually.
68
How does HEP impact the environment?
Requires clearing large forest areas.
69
What is the risk of oil drilling?
Oil spills and habitat destruction.
70
How does open cast mining affect water?
Uses huge amounts of water resources.
71
What factors affect energy access?
Technology, cost, and accessibility.
72
Why did UK coal use decline?
Mining costs were too high.
73
What is the UK’s current energy mix?
Natural gas, renewables, and nuclear energy.
74
Why has global energy use increased?
Emerging economies like China and India.
75
How do developing countries use energy?
Small amounts, mostly for household needs.
76
What is energy poverty?
Lack of electricity or ability to afford it.
77
What fuels emerging economies?
Coal use in manufacturing.
78
Why do developed countries use more energy?
Greater consumption of products and services.
79
Why are some carbon footprints shrinking?
Products are made in other countries.
80
How are oil reserves distributed globally?
Unevenly—some regions have far more.
81
Is oil a finite or infinite resource?
Finite—it will eventually run out.
82
What is ‘peak oil’?
Point where half of oil is used.
83
Why is oil consumption still rising?
Emerging economies are developing quickly.
84
What causes oil prices to rise?
High demand or reduced supply.
85
How can supply affect oil prices?
Oversupply makes prices fall.
86
How can politics affect oil prices?
Conflict or policy changes impact supply.
87
What role did the Iraq War play in oil?
Disrupted supplies, raised global prices.
88
How has fracking affected oil prices?
Increased supply, caused price drops.
89
Why are companies drilling in remote areas?
High oil prices make it profitable.
90
What technologies help Arctic drilling?
Seismic imaging and advanced drilling tools.
91
How much oil might the Arctic hold?
Up to 25% of global reserves.
92
What are tar sands?
Unconventional oil sources found in sand.
93
What makes tar sands extraction possible?
Technology and high energy prices.
94
What are problems with tar sands?
Expensive and environmentally damaging.
95
Which country is a key tar sands user?
Canada.
96
What do unconventional sources require?
Lots of energy and water to extract.
97
How do fossil fuels affect the climate?
They increase the world’s carbon footprint.
98
How can we reduce home energy use?
Use solar heating and efficient lights.
99
How can transport reduce fossil use?
Use hybrid buses or new tech.
100
What is energy diversification?
Using a mix of energy sources.
101
Name two alternative energy sources.
HEP and biofuels (e.g., wood chipping).
102
What is hydrogen technology used for?
Powering cleaner cars.
103
What does ‘business as usual’ mean?
Continuing to rely on fossil fuels.
104
What is a ‘sustainable future’?
Using renewables to lower emissions.
105
What do energy companies want?
To keep supplying energy reliably.
106
What do climatologists believe?
Current energy use causes climate change.
107
What do governments want?
Balance low bills and climate goals.
108
What do most consumers want?
Low energy costs and green options.
109
How does rising wealth affect energy use?
Increases demand and environmental pressure.
110
What are food miles?
Distance food travels to reach consumers.
111
How do developed countries reduce energy use?
By using better technology like LEDs.
112
How can schools help sustainability?
Teach action and promote recycling.
113
Why is education important for sustainability?
It changes attitudes and encourages action.
