Fragile Ecosystems Flashcards
What is meant by the term fragile ecosystems?
They are important ecosystems with unique features and resources.
Examples of fragile ecosystems
Deserts, semi-arid lands, mountains, wetlands, small islands, forests and tundras
What can cause an ecosystem to become fragile?
Due to climate change and human activities
Locations of some Tropical rainforests around the world
Amazon - South America
Congo - central Africa
Borneo - southeast Asian countries on the equator
What is the climate like in rainforests?
There is a high amount of rain and the climate is very humid(hot and wet).
What is the four layer structure of a rainforest?
Emergent, canopy, understory and forest floor
Why should the rainforest be protected?
Trees are the lungs of the earth.
They take in CO2 and give out oxygen.
How can we protect the rainforest?
Conservation = protection
Replanting
Why do rainforests get destroyed?
Food and medicines are made from ingredients found only in rainforests.
What are the effects of deforestation?
Lost species, extinction, global climate change, forest people losing their homes
How do plants adapt to the climate?
They drop their leaves gradually throughout the year, meaning they can grow all year round.
Deforestation definition
It is the large scale cutting down of trees
Global impacts of deforestation
Climate change - removal of trees by deforestation removes the valuable carbon sink meaning there is more carbon dioxide in the air contributing to global warming
Local impacts of deforestation
Conflict - there is conflict between loggers, miners etc. and the indigenous people. Many have been forced from their land and same have been killed.
