8a - taiga

Question 1

how is the taiga forest an interdependent ecosystem?

Answer 1

• carnivores (eg wolves) follow herbivores (eg reindeer) that rely on plants (eg mosses)
• permafrost melting -> flooding land + releases trapped ghg -> global warming -> threatening plants and animals)
• in summer, trees absorb heat and shade the ground, preventing the permafrost from thawing, which provides water for plants

Question 2

how are plants adapted to the climate?

Answer 2

• evergreen trees that don’t drop leaves to make best use of the available light
• needles instead of flat leaves to reduce water loss from strong winds
• cone-shaped so that heavy winter snowfall can slide off branches without breaking them

Question 3

how are animals adapted to the climate?

Answer 3

• larger mammals are migratory
• many animals are well-insulated with thick fur (wolves) or downy feathers (ptarmigan)
• white coats in the winter (snowshoe hare) to camouflage against the snow to hide from predators

Question 4

describe the taiga’s nutrient cycle

Answer 4

• plants grow and decompose slowly due to low temperatures, so small (infertile) soil, medium biomass and large litter (dead organic matter)
• few nutrients are added through precipitation and weathering, but a lot of nutrients are lost through runoff and leaching

Question 5

describe the taiga’s biodiversity

Answer 5

• land was covered in ice until recently so species have had little time to adapt to the climate
• simple specific structure, so not many varied habitats
• less productive cycles so everything is slowed

Question 6

how are the taiga forests being exploited for resources?

Answer 6

• extracting tar sands and other fossil fuels with mining
• logging for softwood to be made into housing, furniture and matches
• HEP dams flood large areas of land
• exploitation of minerals (eg ores, gold, copper)

Question 7

what impacts does acid rain have on ecosystems?

Answer 7

• burning fossil fuels releases pollutants which dissolve in water in the atmosphere to form acids that are deposited when it rains/snows
• acid rain damages plants’ leaves and their capacity to cope with the cold
• it can also make the soils too acidic to support growth and kills organisms in lakes and streams

Question 8

what impacts do pests and diseases have on ecosystems?

Answer 8

• pests and diseases cause damage to organisms
• it is thought that global warming is making it easier for pests and pathogens to survive

Question 9

what impacts do forest fires have on ecosystems?

Answer 9

• typically, wildfires are a natural part of the ecosystem, allowing for new growth and regeneration
• a frequency too high of fires can destroy huge numbers of trees and animals and change the distribution of species
• they may also break up forests into smaller sections, making it hard for migratory animals

Question 10

what are the conservation methods of the taiga?

Answer 10

• creating a wilderness area undisturbed by human activity
• creating a national park to protect biodiversity and promote recreation
• sustainable forestry (harvesting timber without damaging the forest long-term)

Question 11

strengths and challenges of creating a wilderness area

Answer 11

• S : highest level of protection / usually a very large area so large-scale processes can still take place (eg migration)
• C : large so hard to police / economic pressure to use resources + transport routes + tourism

Question 12

strengths and challenges of creating a national park

Answer 12

• S : protects particular species / does not permit unsustainable human activity / good access for tourists and recreation
• C : must take into account the indigenous communities / roads, infrastructure and pollution may harm the ecosystem

Question 13

strengths and challenges of sustainable forestry

Answer 13

• S : limits can be placed on the number of trees felled / companies may be required to regenerate the area after logging
• C : some countries struggle to enforce restrictions / lack of clear management / conflict between group

Question 14

why might people think the taiga should be protected?

Answer 14

• global warming
• some species are only found in the taiga and shouldn’t go extinct
• indigenous peop;e may depend on the forest for their traditional way of life

Question 15

why might people think the taiga should be exploited?

Answer 15

• demand for resources is increasing
• forest industries provide a lot of jobs
• exploitation generates a lot of wealth