Sustaining ecosystems

Question 1

What is an ecosystem?

Answer 1

A self-regulating community in which living things interact with each other and their environment.

Question 2

What does interdependence mean?

Answer 2

All living factors are reliant on each other.

Question 3

What are biotic factors?

Answer 3

The living parts of an ecosystem.

Question 4

What are abiotic factors?

Answer 4

The non-living parts of an ecosystem.

Question 5

What is biomass?

Answer 5

The total mass of plants and animals in an ecosystem or trophic level.

Question 6

What is a biome?

Answer 6

A world scale ecosystem identified by vegetation type.

Question 7

What is flora?

Answer 7

All plants in a community.

Question 8

What is fauna?

Answer 8

All animals in a community.

Question 9

Where are polar regions located?

Answer 9

In the north (Arctic) and south pole (Antarctica).

Question 10

What is the climate like in polar regions?

Answer 10

Long, cold winters and short, cool summers; temperatures rarely rise above freezing.

Question 11

Why do polar regions experience half the year in darkness?

Answer 11

Due to the tilt of the earth.

Question 12

How does the climate differ between the Arctic and Antarctica?

Answer 12

The Arctic is much warmer than Antarctica due to the Gulf Stream.

Question 13

What types of flora are found in the Arctic?

Answer 13

Low shrubs, mosses, grasses, and alpine-like flowering plants.

Question 14

What mammals are found in the Arctic?

Answer 14

Polar bears, wolves, foxes, reindeer, walruses, and whales.

Question 15

What is the plant life like in Antarctica?

Answer 15

Much less than the Arctic, with only 1% of the continent being ice-free.

Question 16

What mammals are found in Antarctica?

Answer 16

Penguins and seals.

Question 17

Where are tropical rainforests located?

Answer 17

Within the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.

Question 18

What is the climate like in tropical rainforests?

Answer 18

High temperatures and constant conditions throughout the year, with no seasons.

Question 19

What is the annual rainfall in tropical rainforests?

Answer 19

Very high, due to the meeting of trade winds at the ITCZ.

Question 20

What is the vegetation like in tropical rainforests?

Answer 20

Mainly consists of trees, with layers including emergent, canopy, under canopy, and shrub layer.

Question 21

What adaptations do trees in tropical rainforests have?

Answer 21

Thin trunks, buttress roots, dark green leaves with drip-tips, and vine-like plants called lianas.

Question 22

Where are coral reefs located?

Answer 22

Within 30° north and south of the equator, in tropical oceans.

Question 23

What is the climate like in coral reefs?

Answer 23

Warm water all year round, needs to be clear and shallow.

Question 24

What types of flora are found in coral reefs?

Answer 24

Algae on coral and sea grass.

Question 25

What fauna are found in coral reefs?

Answer 25

Thousands of coral polyps, fish, starfish, turtles, and eels.

Question 26

Where are tropical grasslands located?

Answer 26

Between 5° and 30° north and south of the equator.

Question 27

What is the climate like in tropical grasslands?

Answer 27

High temperatures with a longer dry season and a shorter wet season.

Question 28

What flora is found in tropical grasslands?

Answer 28

Baobab trees with large swollen stems and trunk to retain moisture.

Question 29

What fauna are found in tropical grasslands?

Answer 29

Hoofed animals like gazelles, elephants, giraffes, and predators like cheetahs and lions.

Question 30

Where are temperate grasslands located?

Answer 30

In the center of continents.

Question 31

What is the climate like in temperate grasslands?

Answer 31

Cooler than tropical grasslands, with very hot summers and very cold winters.

Question 32

What flora is found in temperate grasslands?

Answer 32

Shorter vegetation with some trees along river valleys.

Question 33

What fauna are found in temperate grasslands?

Answer 33

Bison, kangaroos, and antelopes.

Question 34

Where are temperate forests located?

Answer 34

Between 40° and 60° north and south of the equator.

Question 35

What is the climate like in temperate forests?

Answer 35

Four seasons of equal length with high rainfall throughout the year.

Question 36

What flora is found in temperate forests?

Answer 36

Deciduous trees like oak, elm, and sycamore.

Question 37

What fauna are found in temperate forests?

Answer 37

Black bears, squirrels, owls, and pigeons.

Question 38

Where are hot deserts located?

Answer 38

Around the tropic of Capricorn and Cancer.

Question 39

What is the climate like in hot deserts?

Answer 39

High temperatures during the day and freezing at night.

Question 40

What flora is found in hot deserts?

Answer 40

Cacti and yucca, which are resistant to lack of water.

Question 41

What fauna are found in hot deserts?

Answer 41

Small nocturnal animals, camels, meerkats, and rattlesnakes.

Question 42

What is nutrient cycling in rainforests?

Answer 42

Rapid cycling due to hot and damp forest floor, enabling quick decomposition.

Question 43

What is the water cycle in rainforests?

Answer 43

Rainforests produce their own rainfall through convectional rainfall.

Question 44

What is the soil profile in tropical rainforests?

Answer 44

Soils called latosols, generally shallow and lack nutrients.

Question 45

What are goods produced by tropical rainforests?

Answer 45

Fruits, nuts, oils, flavourings, fibres, wood, gums, and medicine.

Question 46

What are services provided by tropical rainforests?

Answer 46

Carbon sink, water cycle maintenance, flood risk reduction, and habitat provision.

Question 47

What are the pros and cons of logging?

Answer 47

Pros: money and timber production. Cons: deforestation and habitat damage.

Question 48

What are the pros and cons of cattle ranching?

Answer 48

Pros: low risk and high demand. Cons: deforestation and CO2 emissions.

Question 49

What are the pros and cons of palm oil plantations?

Answer 49

Pros: money and goods production. Cons: deforestation and land destruction.

Question 50

What are the pros and cons of mineral extraction?

Answer 50

Pros: money for infrastructure. Cons: soil and water contamination.

Question 51

What are the pros and cons of tourism?

Answer 51

Pros: income for indigenous people. Cons: deforestation and harm to organisms.

Question 52

What are the pros and cons of dam building and hydroelectric power?

Answer 52

Pros: renewable energy. Cons: displacement of people and flooding.

Question 53

What are the pros and cons of road construction?

Answer 53

Pros: improved living standards. Cons: deforestation and habitat destruction.

Question 54

What is the case study of sustainable management in Costa Rica?

Answer 54

Donations improve living conditions, laws prevent deforestation, and ecotourism provides income.

Question 55

Where is Antarctica located?

Answer 55

In the south pole, mainly covered in ice.

Question 56

Where is the Arctic located?

Answer 56

In the north pole, with a vast ocean in its center.

Question 57

What are the impacts of human activity on Antarctica?

Answer 57

Scientific research and whaling have significant effects.

Question 58

What are the impacts of human activity on the Arctic?

Answer 58

Indigenous exploitation, mineral extraction, and illegal fishing affect the ecosystem.

Question 59

What are the guidelines for sustainable tourism in polar regions?

Answer 59

Bio-secure ships, distance from wildlife, and visitor limits to protect the environment.