Land Cover Change Flashcards
(31 cards)
Define Biome.
A large geographical area of distinctive plant and animal groups, which have adapted to the particular environment.
What are two factors that determine the type of biome that exists in a location?
Climate and geography.
Define biodiversity.
The variety of organism and the way they interact and depend on each other in a biome.
What is biomass?
The actual amount of organisms within a biome or an individual ecosystem.
What are 5 different biome types?
Forest Grassland Desert Tundra Aquatic
Define environment.
The living and non-living elements of the earth’s surface and atmosphere. It includes human changes to the earth’s surface.
Define anthropogenic biomes.
The result of sustained direct human interactions with the ecosystems.
Define abiotic.
Without life, components; climate factors (sunlight, precipitation, humidity, wind), inorganic substances (carbon cycles), organic substances (lipids, proteins, carbs).
Define biotic.
With life, components; producers (plants), consumers (herbivores, carnivores, omnivores), decomposers (fungi, bacteria).
What is biodiversity loss?
The loss of species, genetics and ecosystem diversity.
Define climate change.
The long-term change of global/regional/local climates.
Define sustainablitity
Meeting the needs of current and future generations, through simultaneous environment, social and economic adaptation and improvement.
What are populated forests? What do they include? What are some factors that may modify the natural ecosystem?
Forest near agricultural lands or urban settlement. Reserves where roads, picnic areas and tourist accomodation are found. Logging, introduction of plants and animals.
What are remote forests? Examples of remote forests? Why are these forests likely to get exploited?
Forests that are located far from large populations and are largely untouched. Forests in northern Canada, Russia and the core of the Amazon. They get exploited because of their high biodiversity and resource potential (e.g. mining, timber).
What are wild forests? Examples?
Forest that have vast tree cover and total lack of civilisation and human interaction. Equatorial and boreal forests of the northern hemisphere.
What did Australian forests look like before colonisation? How much have these forests changes? Why has this change occurred? What happened to the rest of the forests?
Mainly native vegetation.
Around 85% of Australia is vegetated by native species (in arid and semi-arid areas)
Forests and woodlands used to cover 55% of Australia but now only 42%.
This has a correlation to the intensively used rural and urban land use zones.
Large areas of remaining forests and woodlands are now protected as national parks and reserves.
What are the two levels of agriculture?
Intensive and extensive. The more intensive the activity the more changes to the natural environment.
What are the two types of agriculture?
Croplands and rangelands.
What are croplands? What do they involve? What are some examples?
They include irrigated and rain-fed farming systems. intensive populated cropping systems and remote extensive cropping systems.
SE Asia - rice farming - village based, intensive, food production for locals, large rural communities
Europe, North America, Australia - moderate intensive cropping - near large populations - intensive dairying, market gardens, vineyards, orchards
Australia (WA, SA VIC NSW) - Extensive cropping - far away from urban settlements - wheat-sheep belt
What can rangelands be divided into? What do they often rely on? Examples? Is biodiversity here low? Why is stock management vital?
Populated and remote systems.
Natural pastures to support herds of domesticated animals (cattle, sheep, goats, camels)
The Maasai and Zulu in Africa
Australia: found in the semi-arid area, often grazing of sheep (for wool) or cattle (for meat), found on large pastoral properties
Yes (overgrazing is a serious issue in some countries)
To ensure retention of a reasonable level of biodiversity
What does urban regions include? What dominates the landscape? How much of the worlds population live in these settlements?
Major cities, regional towns, and urban villages.
Densest biome.
Human structures and built land cover
Over 50% of the human population
What type of biomes do most major cities occupy?
Temperate forest biomes, e.g. central park, New York.
What are 5 things that influence the location of urban land use?
- Resources
- Accessibility
- Defence
- Government
- Cultural values
What is the urban land use like in Australia? How did it alter the natural environment?
It reflects a European history (e.g. sea travel, exploration of coast). The use of resources (timber/stone) for building and water for population.
