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Geography > Ecosystems, Biodiversity, and Management > Flashcards

Ecosystems, Biodiversity, and Management Flashcards

(49 cards)

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1
Q

What is an ecosystem?

A

A community of plants and animals that interact with each other and their physical environment

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2
Q

What is a biome?

A

An ecosystem on a global scale

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3
Q

What is a cliamte?

A

The average weather conditions of an area occurring over many years

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4
Q

What is vegetation?

A

Plants.

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5
Q

Climate and vegetation of Temperate Grasslands?

A

Cold winters, hot summers. -40 - 30°C
Largely devoid of trees, low rainfall levels

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6
Q

Climate and vegetation of Tropical Grasslands?

A

Warm, consistent temperatures, high annual rainfall.
Months of drought near deciduous trees shed leaves to consume water.

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7
Q

Climate and vegetation of Tundra?

A

Average winter temperature is -34°C. Summer is cold 3-12 degrees C.
Very sparce as often months of no sunlight.

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8
Q

Climate and vegetation of Tropical Rainforest?

A

Hot all year round. Wet all year round.
Broadleaved plants. Trees dominate.

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9
Q

Climate and vegetation of Deserts?

A

Low levels of rainfall. Extreme temp. variations.
No trees, limited vegetation.

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10
Q

Climate and vegetation of Temperate Forest?

A

During winter falls below 0, summer is 21.
Trees both coniferous and deciduous, very dense, all around landscape.

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11
Q

What are the key factors influencing the distribution of ecosystems?

A
  1. Latitude
  2. High and low pressure (global)
  3. Earth’s tilt.
  4. Continentality
  5. Altitude
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12
Q

How does Latitude affect distribution of ecosystems?

A

Lower latitudes = higher temperatures.
Higher latitudes = lower temperatures.
Near equator = sunlight has small area of atmosphere to pass through, and suns rays are more concentrated.
Closer to poles, sunlight less concentrated, temperatures cooler.

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13
Q

Example of how latitude affects ecosystems

A

Tropical rainforests have high average temperatures, found along equator.
Tundra regions found at high latitudes (60-75 degrees) due to lower angle of incoming solar radiation.

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14
Q

How does high and low pressure influence distribution of ecosystems?

A

Low pressure areas when air rises. Weight of air above the Earth’s surface is lower than average.
High pressure areas when air sinks. Weight of air is above average when it sinks to the Earth’s surface.

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15
Q

How does a low pressure area lead to clouds and precipitation?

A
  1. As the air rises it cools, condenses and forms clouds.
  2. The water droplets in the clouds increase in size.
  3. They eventually become too heavy to be held and fall as precipitation.
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16
Q

What are three global factors that influence biome distribution?

A

Climate, altitude, types of rock.

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17
Q

What is the Biosphere?

A

A vital system providing us with most essential resources: food, medicines, building materials and sources of fuel.

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18
Q

What are three factors affecting the biosphere?

A
  1. Demand for water - Other parts of the biosphere are deprived of water.
  2. Commercial production of biofuels means that hue areas of land are used for biosphere crops instead of food crops.
  3. Demand for minerals - mountain-top removal mining.
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19
Q

What is the nutrient cycle?

A

Describes how nutrients are transferred around an ecosystem. Model consists of three main nutrient stores and nutrient flows.

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20
Q

What do the sizes of the stores and flows mean?

Study These Flashcards
A

The size can change depending on the ecosystem.

21
Q

What are the three stores in the nutrient cycle?

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A
  1. Biomass
  2. Soil
  3. Litter
22
Q

What are the three types of nutrient transfers in the cycle?

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A
  1. Littering
  2. Decomposition
  3. Plant uptake
23
Q

What are two inputs that contribute to the nutrient cycle?

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A
  1. Rainfall
  2. Weathering of parent rock
24
Q

What are two outputs of the nutrient cycle?

Study These Flashcards
A
  1. Surface runoff
  2. Leaching
25
Describe the distribution of tropical rainforests
They are all near the equator in between the tropic of cancer and capricorn
26
Describe the distribution of deciduous woodlands
They are along higher lines of latitude such as the tropic of cancer
27
List the biotic and abiotic characteristics that make the soil profile of TR
Trees Buttress roots for more stability and wider reach for more nutrients Shallow roots for rapid decomposition of litter Heavy rainfall flows down through soil, leaching out nutrients Weathered bedrock Weathering adds minerals Bedrock
28
List the biotic and abiotic characteristics that make the soil profile of DW
Litter layers are several cm thick, not as quick decomposition Dark brown soil = lots of organic matter Leaching gradually brings minerals down through soil Worms bring organic matter deep into soil Deep roots to reach nutrients further down Weathered bedrock Bedrock
29
Tropical rainforest plant adaptations?
Buttress roots - nutrients are concentrated in top level of soil only, rainforest trees have shallow roots. Keeps tall, slender trunks anchored upright. Drip tip leaves - water runs off them quickly, otherwise moss and algae would quickly grow over the leaf surface, cutting off its life.
30
Tropical rainforest animal adaptations?
Camouflage - some insects mimic sticks and leaves, birds have colouration making them harder to see. Chameleon changes skin colour. Strong limbs/modified wings - bird species live in canopy, wings are adapted for fast manoeuvring and has powerful legs to grab lemurs, frogs, birds and snakes that it spots.
31
Deciduous woodland plant adaptations?
Shedding of leaves - to conserve water and energy. A layer forms, causing leaves to fall, which enriches the soil as they decompose. Deep tree roots - Grow far into soil providing stability and access to deeper water sources. Withstand strong winds, prevents erosion, access nutrients that shallow rooted plants cannot.
32
Deciduous woodland animal adaptations?
Hibernation - state of reduced metabolic activity in animals during cold months, conserving energy and survive periods of food security. Migration - seasonal movement of animals from one region to another, for breeding or to find food and better living conditions.
33
What are two biotic factors that provide a role in the functioning of tropical rainforests?
Animals and plants - photosynthesis provides oxygen rich environment - removal of ground cover lead to leaching of nutrients. deforestation and harvesting crops. Nutrient cycle - nutrients from litter can be absorbed and broken down, nutrient rich soil, up-taken by trees and vegetation
34
What are two abiotic factors that provide a role in the functioning of tropical rainforests?
Temperature - key in rapid decomposition of dead plant material. Hot damp conditions are optimum. Faster plant growth/larger biodiversity (25 degrees Celsius) Precipitation - provides moisture for fungi and bacteria to break down litter. damp conditions. (2500mm precipitation)
35
Which ecosystem will see the greatest impact of climate change?
Deciduous woodland because the TR can function better in warmer conditions as it is the optimum temperature for decomposers to break down litter into the soil, so if temperature increases, trees get more nutrients.
36
How will structure of deciduous woodland be impacted by climate change?
Trees will keep their leaves to cope with milder winters and compete with new tree species which are adapted to colder winters.
37
How will function of DW be impacted by climate change?
Less nutrients in the soil because litter is less frequent and absorbed slower by decomposers because of drought.
38
What are the reasons for deforestation within deciduous woodlands?
Economic - Timber extraction, agricultural change Social - Urbanisation
39
What are the two case studies for Ecosystems?
Costa Rica (TRF) - Sustainable Rainforest Management UK (DW) - The New Forest
40
What is the main cause of deforestation in Costa Rica?
Shifting Agriculture
41
What is the main cause of deforestation in UK?
Forestry
42
What are the threats to the New Forest?
Visitors - Trampling, litter, one of the lowest 'easy to use' footpath network ratings compared to other national parks. Transport - 40% of New Forest carbon emission from road transport. Most people travel by car to New Forest. Climate change.
43
What are examples of Costa Rica's sustainable managements?
Ecotourism - shows rainforest as a valuable economic resource that should be protected. It is managed sustainably. Carbon Credits - Wealthy countries buy them to offset carbon emissions they produce. Costa Rica earns money from rainforest without cutting it down. Direct Government Action - Costa Rica passed legislation giving tax deductions and grants to owners of rainforest if they conserved forest area, used it to benefit society by protecting water resources. biodiversity and scenic beauty. Private reserves - Allows ecotourism but restricts number of tourists, one of the most outstanding wildlife sanctuaries in the world.
44
What is the most significant management strategy?
Direct Government Action - has most impact and large amounts of money can be used for the strategy. Government created 27 national parks which protect more than 20% of country's land area. Manage rainforest through monitoring of visitors and safeguarding land by making deforestation and logging illegal.
45
Why is the New Forest important?
Protects many species that are either threatened or near extinction.
46
How are they managing the visitors in New Forest?
'New Forest Code' - 9 steps to follow when in the New Forest e.g. keep distance, no fires, no wild camping, park only in car parks.
47
How are they managing the transport in New Forest?
Sustainable Transport e.g. 'New Forest tour', encourages people to leave cars at home, carries thousands of people around the park. Cycle hire and paths - provide bikes that fulfil peoples needs of getting around. paths provide easily accessible and safe route.
48
How are they managing the environment in New Forest?
'Not Zero with Nature' - supports low-carbon economy, providing highly sustainable hoems. Advocate for policy change and partnership working.
49
What is the New Forest 'Partnership Plan 2022-2027'?
Produced jointly by all main organisations with interests and responsibly in national parks, such as Environment Agency, Forestry England.

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