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8a - taiga Flashcards

(15 cards)

1
Q

how is the taiga forest an interdependent ecosystem?

A
  • 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
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2
Q

how are plants adapted to the climate?

A
  • 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
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3
Q

how are animals adapted to the climate?

A
  • 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
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4
Q

describe the taiga’s nutrient cycle

A
  • 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
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5
Q

describe the taiga’s biodiversity

A
  • 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
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6
Q

how are the taiga forests being exploited for resources?

A
  • 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)
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7
Q

what impacts does acid rain have on ecosystems?

A
  • 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
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8
Q

what impacts do pests and diseases have on ecosystems?

A
  • pests and diseases cause damage to organisms
  • it is thought that global warming is making it easier for pests and pathogens to survive
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9
Q

what impacts do forest fires have on ecosystems?

A
  • 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
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10
Q

what are the conservation methods of the taiga?

A
  • 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)
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11
Q

strengths and challenges of creating a wilderness area

A
  • 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
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12
Q

strengths and challenges of creating a national park

A
  • 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
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13
Q

strengths and challenges of sustainable forestry

A
  • 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
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14
Q

why might people think the taiga should be protected?

A
  • 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
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15
Q

why might people think the taiga should be exploited?

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