Geography Paper 3

Question 1

Biosphere definition

Answer 1

The part of the Earth inhabited by living things

Question 2

Ecosystem definition

Answer 2

An area made up of living things and their non-living environment e.g. ponds, woods

Question 3

Biome definition

Answer 3

Large scale ecosystem e.g. rainforest, desert

Question 4

Biomass

Answer 4

The mass of living organic matter in a given area of an ecosystem or biome

Question 5

Tropical rainforest description

Answer 5

-High temperatures (25-30 degrees) due to being equatorial so solar radiation is more concentrated
-Low pressure and very high precipitation due to rapidly rising air
-High biomass as high temperatures, rainfall and sunshine hours are optimum growing conditions

Question 6

Desert description

Answer 6

-Very high temperatures due to being on the tropics so solar radiation is very concentrated
-High pressure and low precipitation due to descending air
-Low biomass due to very low precipitation limiting growth

Question 7

Tundra description

Answer 7

-Very low temperatures (mostly <0 degrees) due to high latitude so low concentration of solar radiation
-High pressure and low precipitation due to descending air
-Little biomass due to limited sunshine hours, rainfall and low temperatures