Ecosystems Flashcards
(6 cards)
Biosphere resources
Fish, meat
berries, fruit
Medicine
Lichens stops blood loss from cuts
Willow bark for aspirin
Aloe Vera
Fuel by fermenting crops
Trees and snubs
Animal dung is dried
Peat is dried and burned
Deforestation
Impacts of exploitation on biosphere
Mineral extraction -> Large area of habitats cleared. Chemicals used in process pollute area
Water -> agriculture, industry and urban areas demand increasing, results in less water in biosphere. Organisms die due to lack of water
Energy -> Population growth means higher demand for energy
Fossil fuel extraction comes with risk of polluting the biosphere with toxic fumes.
Explain the nutrient cycle of a tropical rainforest.
The biomass store is the largest in a tropical rainforest (TRF) because of the high rate of biodiversity in the system .
The soil store is small because the uptake of nutrients by plants is high. Also, there are high levels of leaching due to more rainfall in TRF .
The litter store is also small in a TRF, as the rate of decomposition is high because of humidity .
The transfer of nutrients is fast between stores due to the wet and warm climate and high levels of biodiversity, meaning that transfer is more likely in a TRF .
why deforestation
rising population
subsistence famers grow crops, nutrients get used up, other are expanded
illegal logging
cattle ranching
responses to prevent deforestation in TRF
Forest belongs to the state, but also give out concessions to timber companies to manage certain areas.
sustainable management or reduced impact logging used. RIL is cheaper as well.
New Forest manegement
New trees planted to re-plant cut down ones.
Work during summer restricted to avoid disturbing
transport schemes - buses EZ hire
awareness raising - leaflets
Green leaf tourism scheme promotes use of local products. Businesses also give 10% to the Forest and land for visitors.
Pesticide limited use
