Ecosystems

Question 1

Ecosystem

Answer 1

A natural system made up of organisms and their non living environment (the atmosphere, rocks, water, climate) and all interactions between them. Big as a forest or small as under a stone.

Question 2

Biome

Answer 2

An ecosystem on a global scale- large bands of land , running roughly parallel to the equator , that share the same types of plants and animals because they share the same general climate

Question 3

Distribution of tropical rainforest

Answer 3

3% of world covered in rainforest

Eg New Guinea , Amazon, Borneo, DR congo, Uganda, Costa Rica

Question 4

Different layers

Answer 4

Emergents (50 m)
Canopy (30m)
Under canopy (15m)
Shrub layer / forest floor (0.2m)

Question 5

Buttress roots

Answer 5

Wide spreading

Provide support for tall rainforest trees

Question 6

Drip tips

Answer 6

Elongated ends to leaves

Help rainforests trees shed heavy rain effectively , before it damages them

Question 7

Lianas

Answer 7

Vines that use trees as scaffolding to grow up into the sunlight

Question 8

Epiphytes

Answer 8

Small plants that grow on tree branches in the canopy, where they have access to rainfall (water)c, nutrients (decomposing leaves) and light

Question 9

Major threats to rainforests

Answer 9

Deforestation
Poaching
Agriculture

Question 10

Three impacts of tropical rainforest deforestation

Answer 10

Species threatened with extinction due to habitat destruction
Rainforests absorb 2.4 billion tonnes of CO2, if cut down fight against climate change much harder
Home to indigenous tribes. Displaced by deforestation

Question 11

Two strategies to reduce rates of deforestation

Answer 11

Consumer power- rainforest alliance certified products
Boycott un environmentally friendly companies
No palm oil
Ecotourism - small tourist groups to learn and enjoy nature
Sustainable + no damage to environment
Profits stay to local groups rather than big companies
More money from tourists than cutting trees