Ecosystems

Question 1

Abiotic

Answer 1

Relating to nonliving things

Question 2

Biotic

Answer 2

Relating to living things

Question 3

Consumer

Answer 3

Creature that eats herbivores and/or plant matter

Question 4

Nutrient cycling

Answer 4

A set of processes whereby organisms extract minerals necessary for growth from soil water

Question 4

Decomposer

Answer 4

An organism such as a bacterium or fungus which is then recycled to the environment

Question 5

Global ecosystem

Answer 5

Very large ecological areas on the Earth surface (or biomes)

Question 6

Fauna

Answer 6

Animals

Question 7

Flora

Answer 7

Plants

Question 8

Producer

Answer 8

An organism or plant that is able to absorb energy from the Sun through photosynthesis

Question 9

Ecosystem characteristics

Answer 9

-take hundreds of years to develop
-need to be in balance, if there is a change to one of the components, it may well affect the rest of the ecosystem

Question 10

Causes of change in the ecoystem

Answer 10

-Global scale changes, such as climate change
-local scale change such as changes to a habitat
-for example when a hedge is removed

Question 11

Natural changes in the ecosystem

Answer 11

-Extreme weather events like a drought can be devastating to ponds and lakes
-plants will dry out and die
-Fish starved of oxygen might not survive

Question 12

Human changes in the ecosystem

Answer 12

-agricultural fertilisers can lead to eutrophication
-ponds may be drained to use for farming

Question 13

Ecosystems of ecosystems:Local ecosystem

Answer 13

A pond, hedge or woodland

Question 14

Different types of ecosystems: Global ecosystem

Answer 14

A tropical rainforest or deciduous forest. The global ecosystems are called biomes

Question 15

Types of biomes

Answer 15

-tundra
-temperate forest
-tropical rainforest

Question 16

Biodiversity

Answer 16

The variety of life in the world or a particular habitat

Question 17

Commercial farming

Answer 17

Farming to sell produce for a profit to retailers or food processing companies

Question 18

Debt reduction

Answer 18

Countries are relieved of some of the debt in return for protecting the rainforests

Question 19

Deforestation

Answer 19

The chopping down and removal of trees to clear an area of forest

Question 20

Ecotourism

Answer 20

Responsible travel to natural areas that conserve the environment, sustained the well-being of the local people yet keeps impact on the local ecosystem minimal

Question 21

Logging

Answer 21

The business of cutting down trees and transporting the logs to sawmill

Question 22

Mineral extraction

Answer 22

The removal of solid mineral resources from the Earth which contain valuable amounts of metal

Question 23

Selective logging

Answer 23

The cutting out of trees which are mature or inferior to encourage the growth of the remaining trees in a forest of wood

Question 24

Soil erosion

Answer 24

Removal of topsoil faster than it can be replaced

Question 25

Subsistence farming

Answer 25

A type of agriculture producing food and materials for the benefit only of the farmer and his family

Question 26

Sustainability

Answer 26

Actions and forms of progress that meets needs of the present without reducing the ability of future generations to meet their needs

Question 27

Location of tropical rainforests

Answer 27

These lie along the equator in Asia, Africa and South America

Question 28

Characteristics of the tropical rainforest

Answer 28

cliamate: -High rainfall and high temperatures throughout the year vegitation: -dense vegetation cover soil: -isn't very fertile as heavy rain washes nutrients away animals: -rainforests have more species than any other ecosystem people: -Home to many people, who have adapted to life over many generations

Question 29

Deforestation case study-Malaysia

Answer 29

The rate of deforestation in Malaysia is increasing faster than any tropical country in the world Causes: -logging-Malaysia became the worlds largest exporter of tropical wood in the 1980s -Energy development-Bakun dam generates electricity, at the reservoir flooded 700 km² of forests

Question 30

Sustainable management in rainforests

Answer 30

-selective logging and re-planting -conservation and education -ecotourism -International agreements-hardwood forestry and debt reduction