Sustaining Ecosystems

Question 1

Biome definition?

Answer 1

Area that exhibits same characteristics e.g. climate, flora, fauna, landscape

Question 2

What are 2 characteristics of polar/arctic flora and explain?

Answer 2

Shallow roots - minimal nutrients in thin soil
Small leaves - limit transpiration and water loss

Question 3

Ecosystem definition

Answer 3

Natural area where plants, animals and other abiotic/biotic components interact with each other

Question 4

Biotic meaning

Answer 4

Living organism or deriving from living organism e.g. dead carcass or faeces

Question 5

Abiotic meaning

Answer 5

Not derived from living organism e.g. rocks/sunlight/weather

Question 6

Tropical rainforest definition

Answer 6

Area of abundant forest growth with annual rainfall exceeding 2000mm

Question 7

Explain stages of nutrient cycle?

Answer 7

Question 8

Why is nutrient cycle important in rainforest? (3)

Answer 8

Ensures that all layers of rainforest receive necessary nutrients allowing for interdependence.
Speed of cycle allows for survival - poor soil quality
Also necessary to ensure plant growth continues for animals to eat.

Question 9

How are climate and plants interdependent in tropical rainforest systems? (3)

Answer 9

2000mm annually, 27 degrees and 80% humidity all year round (because no seasons)
Creates large water supply for photosynthesis
Causes fast evapo-transpiration
Creates convection rainfall - hot air rises, cools, condenses and precipitation
Creates cumulonimbus clouds - thunderstorms and intense rainfall
Warm temp and humidity allows quick decomposition of litter
Plants grow quickly and tall - emergent layer lots of sunlight for photosynthesis

Question 10

Explain soil in tropical rainforests?

Answer 10

Poor quality:
Latosol soil (red/brown containing iron oxide, slightly acidic, very permeable allowing for leaching)
Low levels of nutrients (quickly decomposed organic matter does not remain in soil - surface runoff and leaching)

Question 11

What are the 5 layers to a tropical rainforest?

Answer 11

Ground layer
Shrub layer
Under canopy
Canopy
Emergent layer

Question 12

What latitude are rainforests found at?

Answer 12

Near the equator

Question 13

Difference between rainforest goods and services?

Answer 13

Goods are tangible products which can be taken
Services are essential for life to survive

Question 14

How do rainforests provide valuable services?

Answer 14

Source of freshwater
Carbon sink
Tree and plant roots hold soil together slowing soil erosion

Question 15

How are rainforests valuable to humans?

Answer 15

Contain valuable goods such as:
Rainforest plants and herbs used in medicines
Contain valuable minerals such as gold and iron ore
Everyday products such as timber, sugar and rubber

Question 16

Explain human activity/impact in Arctic

Answer 16

Arctic tourism: income and jobs but littering, revenue outflow and trampling
Arctic fishing: global market and income from exporting but overfishing making species endangered and illegal fishing operations
Mineral extraction: income from exports but revenue outflow, oil spills and impact migration routes

Question 17

Reasons for Arctic and Antarctic climates being different?

Answer 17

Currents - Arctic receives some Gulf Stream
Size - Antarctica is much bigger so no moisture when reach centre
Altitude - Antarctica is thick ice above continental land mass while Arctic is at sea level
Winds - katabatic winds on Antarctica (from high pressure on plateau down steep cliffs to low pressure at end of ice sheets)

Question 18

What defines a biome?

Answer 18

Areas that exhibit same characteristics including climate, landscape, flora and fauna

Biomes are large ecological areas on the Earth’s surface, with flora and fauna adapting to their environment.

Question 19

What are the characteristics of polar regions (tundra)?

Answer 19

Latitude of 65 degrees, cold and dry, mosses, grasses, and dwarf shrubs, Arctic fox

Tundra ecosystems are known for their extreme cold and short growing seasons.

Question 20

What type of forests are found at latitude 60 degrees?

Answer 20

Boreal (coniferous) forests, cold and relatively dry, coniferous trees such as spruce and pine, wolf, bear, owl

Boreal forests are characterized by their dense coniferous trees.

Question 21

What defines temperate forests?

Answer 21

Latitude of 55 degrees, moderate climate with 4 seasons, deciduous trees such as beech and maple, badger

Deciduous trees in temperate forests lose their leaves in autumn.

Question 22

What are the characteristics of deserts?

Answer 22

Latitude of 25 degrees, arid, very hot during day, very cold at night, xerophytes such as cactus and drought-resistant shrubs, meerkat, camel

Deserts have low precipitation and extreme temperature variations between day and night.

Question 23

What is the climate like in tropical rainforests?

Answer 23

Equator, latitude of 0 degrees, hot and wet, humid climate, dense varied foliage, gorilla, frog

Tropical rainforests are known for their biodiversity and dense vegetation.

Question 24

What defines coral reefs?

Answer 24

Latitude of 35 degrees, tropical regions with warm water, algae and seagrasses, wide range of fish, sea anemones

Coral reefs are vital marine ecosystems that support a diversity of marine life.

Question 25

How does deforestation affect interdependence in rainforests?

Answer 25

Less biomass containing nutrients so less fallout to litter so less nutrients in the soil. More water reaches floor so more surface runoff and leaching. Less trees evapo-transpirating so less water in the cycle and climate changes.