Ecosystems Flashcards
(22 cards)
4 major ecospheres?
Atmosphere
Biosphere
Hydrosphere
Lithosphere
What is an ecosphere?
Planetary system where different forms of energy and matter interact
Lithosphere?
Solid part of the earth (rock, minerals, landforms)
Hydrosphere?
All water on Earth
Biosphere
Zone where life exists (plants, animals, microorganisms)
between lithosphere and atmosphere
Atmosphere?
Layers of gas around earth
Biome?
Biosphere divided into large living ecosystems e.g. tropical rainforest.
Each biome has its own climate, animals, plants.
Importance of a biosphere?
Humans destroy biosphere - use up resources (materials, food, water, energy)
Its important to conserve natural habitat/natural value (animals, air, water, soil, minerals)
Natural value ?
Value of planets’ animals, air, water, soils and minerals
Human value ?
People directly use the biosphere - materials, food, water, energy
Name some major biomes
Sahara Desert (desert)
Atacama Desert, Peru
African Serengeti (Grasslands)
Amazon Rainforest (Tropical rainforest)
Name types of biomes?
Grassland
Tropical Rainforest
Hot Desert
Savanna
Temperate Forest (modeate climate with decidious and evergreen trees)
Boreal Foreast (Dense coniferous trees)
Tundra
Freshwater Biome
Marine Biome
ice and snow
Mediterranean
Why do ecosystems change?
Human activities e.g. pollution, deforestation, use of resources
Natural activities e.g. climate change, natural disasters, evolution of animals and plants
where would you find a tropical rainforest
Near equator (10 degrees north and south)
High temperatures and have rain
Why does a rainforest have a great biodiversity
Stable climate
Multiple layers (trees canopy, forest floor etc)
The soil is fertile
The vegetation grows quickly - sun and moisture
The animal are able to feed
Another name for boreal forest?
Taiga
What is a boreal/taiga forest?
In high northern latitudes (Canada, Alaska, Scandi, Russia)
Short summer temp 10
long cold winter -20
Evergreen plants e.g. pine trees
Less food, less animals
Permafrost soil
Stores lots of carbon (great for climate regulation)
What 4 elements does photosynthesis need?
Light, CO2, Water, Chlorophyll
What 2 conditions are required to breakdown down decomposed animals/plants?
Warm, Wet
What is a food chain vs a food web?
Food chain - single pathway of energy transfer from one organism to another
Food web - complex network of interconnected food chains
Characteristics of a tropical rainforest?
High Biodiversity, Dense Vegetation, Warm Temperatures, High Rainfall
What is the energy flow through an ecosystem?
Producers (plants) to
Primary Consumers (Herbivores) to
Secondary/Tertiary Consumers (Carnivores)
Decomposer break down organic matter
