ecosystem Flashcards
(22 cards)
What does abiotic mean?
A non-living component of an ecosystem such as soil
What does biotic mean?
a living component of an ecosystem such as an animal or a plant
What is a food chain?
A linear sequence in an ecosystem that shows the transfer of energy from one living thing to another
What is a consumer?
A consumer is a creature that eats other animals/and or plants
What is cycling?
Nutrient cycling is the cycling of minerals from soil and water up through the food chain before returning to the soil and water
What is a decomposer?
A decomposer is an organism that breaks down dead tissue in an ecosystem
What is an ecosystem?
The interaction between the living and non-living parts of a community
What is a producer?
An organism that absorbs energy from the sun through photosynthesis
What is a food web?
A complex system of plants and animals relying on each other for food
Give the order of a food chain:
Producer - Primary consumer - secondary consumer - tertiary consumer
Define eutrophication:
When algae grows excessively, causing sunlight to be blocked, preventing photosynthesis and causing a lack of oxygen. This causes other aquatic life to die
Give 6 different biomes and explain their features:
Mediterranean biome - a biome located 40-45 degrees north of the equator characterised by mild, moist winters and hot summers
Savanna biome - a biome around 15-30 degrees north/south of the equator characterised by hot, dry summers and wet winters
Temperate deciduous forest biome - a biome located around 40-50 degrees north/south of the equator characterised by trees that shed and moderate precipitation
Temperate grassland biome - a biome located in non-coastal areas around 30/40 degrees north/south of the equator characterised by low precipitation and grasses as the major vegetation
Tropical forest biome - a biome located 30/40 degrees north/south of the equator, characterised by low precipitation and grasses
Tropical rainforest biome - a biome located near the equator characterised by high precipitation and warm temperatures
Tundra biome - a biome located in the far northern hemisphere characterised by very cold conditions and permanently frozen soils
Give the layers of a rainforest from bottom to top:
- Shrub level
- Under canopy
- canopy
- emergenta
What is desertification?
the process of which fertile lands become desert as a result of drought, deforestation and lack of biodiversity
Give 2 impacts of desertification:
Increased poverty - desertified land can no longer be used to harvest crops, meaning communities who rely on these crops will lose their sources of food and income, causing poverty, famine and malnutrition
Water scarcity - Desertification can reduce the amount of water available for drinking, irrigation and other use which could lead to more crops dying and higher risk of disease due to lack of access to clean water
Give a way desertification could be prevented:
Promote soil management through adding compost and manure to soil which increases fertility, applying fertilizers in the correct amount and preventing soil loss from erosion
Give 2 impacts of deforestation:
Decrease in biodiversity - The amazon is thought to contain around 10% of the worlds biodiversity, providing homes for a variety of animal and plant species . Deforestation will cause many of these plants to be killed and animals to be displaced
Damage to indigenous communities - many native communities who rely on the amazon for food, shelter and water will be left with nowhere to live and will have to migrate elsewhere, leaving behind their cultures and homes
Give a method of preventing deforestation:
Reforestation which describes the process of replanting trees in a previously forested area
Give 2 adaptations of a quiver tree:
Water-storing leaves - as it is a desert dwelling plant, the quiver tree uses succulent leaves to hold water, allowing it to survive in periods of drought
Bark colour - the tree has a silvery-yellow bark colour which helps it to reflect sunlight and reduce heat absorption
Give 2 reasons the Namib desert should be preserved:
The Namib desert can be used to study Mars due to its similar dune formations, arid climate and extreme conditions. As a result, scientists have used the Namib to interpret features on Mars and research the survival of life forms in severe climates, which can be helpful when investigating potential life on Mars.
It is an economic asset to Namibia, as it is a major tourist attraction due to its historical significance ( it’s the oldest desert in the world ), its incredible landscape and its unique range of wildlife. On top of this, it contains diamonds, uranium and other minerals, all of which Namibia is a major producer of, which helps boost the economy.
Give 2 reasons we should prioritize the protection of rainforests over the protection of other biomes:
Higher biodiversity - around 50% of the worlds known plant and animal species inhabit rainforests, meaning resources should be focused on protecting these organisms, as loss of biodiversity can lead to food insecurity, less medicinal opportunities and damages to the environment
Climate regulation - places like the amazon rainforest contribute around 20% of the worlds oxygen and issues like deforestation are causing less oxygen to be produced as well as less co2 being absorbed. This could lead to increases in health issues due to polluted air and speed up the rate of global warming due to more harmful gases being trapped in the atmosphere
Why is space exploration in mars important?
It can help us deal with the issues of climate change - Mars went through changes in atmosphere, as it went from having a hot, thick atmosphere to having a cold, arid one. By studying the process and effects of climate change on Mars, scientists can be better equipped to deal with the current situation on earth
