Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

year 9 > Geography > Flashcards

Geography Flashcards

(56 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

what is an ecosystem

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

what are biotic elements

A

the living elements of an ecosystem

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

what are abiotic elements

A

the non living elements of an ecosystem

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

examples small scale ecosystems

A
  • hedgerows
  • ponds
  • woods
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

examples global ecosystems

A
  • rainforests
    -hot deserts
  • tundras
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

what are global ecosystems also called

A

biomes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

what is a habitat

A

the place where an organism lives. Must provide food, shelter and a place to reproduce

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

what does a food chain show

A

the feeding relationship between organisms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

what do arrows represent in a food chain

A

the flow of energy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

what is first in a food chain

A

a producer which uses photosynthesis to create food

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

what are consumers

A

organisms that directly depend on producers for food. Further categorised as herbivores, carnivores, omnivores and parasites

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

what are decomposers

A

organisms that break down dead matter and decay for nutrition

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

what does a food web show

A

lots of food chains within an ecosystem and how they overlap

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

what are nutrients

A

foods that are used by plants/ animals to grow

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

what are the 2 main sources of nutrients

A

rainwater (washes chemicals out of atmosphere) and weathered rock (releases nutrients into the soil)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

what is a biome

A

a large scale ecosystem. They are defined by factors such as climate, soils and vegetation. The world’s major biomes include rainforest, desert, savanna grassland and tundra

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

what is the tropic of cancer

A

northernmost latitude at which the sun can be directly overhead (23.4 degrees north)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

what is the tropic of capricorn

A

southernmost latitude where the sun can be directly overhead (23.4 degrees south)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

where are tropical rainforests mainly found

A

between the Tropic of Cancer and Capricorn

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

what factors affect the distribution of global biomes

A

altitude- increase in height above sea level leads to decrease in temperature
ocean currents- cold ocean currents create dry conditions from lack of evaporation
mountain ranges- force air upwards leading to relief rainfall over mountainous areas causing dry land on the other side (rain shadow)
latitude- temperatures and sunshine decrease with distance from equator
precipitation- areas of high pressure- low rainfall, areas of low pressure- high rainfall

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

why does the amount of energy decrease as you move up the food chain

A

much of the energy from prey is lost through excretion, energy is being used for important functions (e.g. respiration, digestion)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

what is biodiversity

A

the variety of living species on Earth

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

what does bad land management lead to

Study These Flashcards
A

drought, soil erosion and desertification

24
Q

how do human activities affect ecosystems

Study These Flashcards
A

factors such as deforestation, overgrazing and overfarming reduce the productivity of land meaning it can no longer support plant growth. This results in difficulties to farm, creating economic challenges and erodes the soil on which primary producers grow, coincidently affecting food sources of dependant consumers

25
what is the climate of TRFs like
-very warm as sun is directly overhead at the equator for a longer period of time meaning less radiation is absorbed and is concentrated in a smaller area at the equator
26
what is the soil of TRFs like
-infertile soil -thin layer of fertile soil at the surface where dead leaves decompose -nutrient cycling is rapid due to humidity which helps dead matter decompose -nutrients are quickly washed out of soil from heavy rainfall
27
what is biodiversity like in TRFs
-warm and wet climate provides perfect conditions for plant growth -wide range of plant species support different animals -adapted species
28
what are the layers of the TRFs
emergent canopy under canopy forest floor
29
why is the TRF important
. Life support systems: - regulate the atmosphere by absorbing CO2 through photosynthesis and releasing oxygen - rapid leaf fall/ decomposition creates fertile soil which supports organisms and agriculture - trees store/release water through evapotranspiration which contributes to consistent rainfall . Goods: -food sources -cash crops - medicines -raw materials . Crucial habitats . Reduce Climate change
30
what is an adaptation
a change is structure/function to improve chances of survival in particular environments
31
why must organisms in TRFs adapt
organisms must adapt/develop specialised traits to compete for environmental resources and protect themselves from predators
32
what is deforestation caused by
agriculture, logging and infrastructure projects
33
why is deforestation an issue
leads to habitat loss, soil erosion and ecosystem disruption
34
why is climate change an issue
rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns increase drought, forest fires and affect biodiversity
35
why are illegal activities an issue
illegal logging- strips forest of valuable trees illegal mining- pollutes rivers poaching- threatens species
36
why are threats to indigenous communities an issue
loss of culture exposure to diseases
37
why are weak environmental policies an issue
prioritise economic development over conservation, allow illegal activities to continue, insufficient funding for conservation
38
what is arid
very low rainfall, such as deserts (many are hot, causing water to evaporate faster than it can be replaced)
39
what is high pressure
descending air that produces no clouds/rain
40
what is altitude
height of object from sea level
41
what is latitude
north-south position of a point on the Earth's surface
42
what is rain shadow
reduced rainfall behind a mountainous region, on the side facing away from prevailing winds (leeward side)
43
what is the hadley cell
the neverending cycle of air rising from the Equator
44
where are hot deserts generally found
around the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, between 15 and 30 degrees North and South of the Equator
45
what are conditions like in hot deserts
very dry areas with a significant diurnal temperature range of around 45 degrees celcius on the high end
46
how does atmospheric circulation work
-air between Hadley and Ferrell cells sinks -air warms as it sinks -more water vapour is evaporated into the air that can condense -cloud formation is limited -areas are dry as a result
47
what is transpiration
moisture given off by plants through their leaves
48
what are xerophytes
drought-resistant, small leaves that reduce transpiration
49
what is irrigation
redirecting/channelling water for use elsewhere
50
how is an arid desert environment formed
air cools and condenses as it rises, meaning the water vapour becomes liquid and results in precipitation. The air is now dry as it has lost its moisture and descends
51
what is groundwater
water that exists underground beneath the land surface
52
what is desertification
land becomes drier and degraded as a result of climate change/human activities
53
what is bottom up technology
local scale projects that aim to help a small community develop
54
what is ecotourism
type of nature based tourism that emphasises reducing your environmental impact
55
what is soil erosion
gradual process from impact of water/human activities detatching and removing soil particles, causing the soil to deteriorate
56
what is nutrient cycling
the cycling of minerals from soil and water up through the food chain before returning to the soil and water

year 9 (11 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions