Sustaining Ecosystems

Question 1

What is an Ecosystem?

Answer 1

An area where living organisms (biotic) & non-living material (abiotic) interact with each other

Question 2

What is a Biome?

Answer 2

A large scale ecosystem with unique plant & animal life

Question 3

What is Flora?

Answer 3

Plants & vegetation

Question 4

What is Fauna?

Answer 4

Animals

Question 5

What is Biodiversity?

Answer 5

The amount and range of species within an area

Question 6

What is Endemic?

Answer 6

Species only found in a certain area

Question 7

What is Sustainable Development?

Answer 7

Meeting the economic needs of today’s people in a way that protects the environment for future generations.

Question 8

What is Interdependence?

Answer 8

The reliance of life on other living things & the environment (water, air, soil)

Question 9

Where can you find Coral Reefs?

Answer 9

South East Asia, Caribbean

Found between 30˚N&S of the equator.

Question 10

How many countries have Coral Reefs?

Answer 10

109

Question 11

What is the average ocean temp in coral reefs?

Answer 11

18˚C

Question 12

What Flora is found in Coral reefs?

Answer 12

Sea Grasses

Question 13

What Fauna is found in Coral Reefs?

Answer 13

The reefs themselves are coral polyps, an animal related to jellyfish.
They feed on plankton and make their shells which form the reef.
A high variety of fish, eels etc.

Question 14

Where are Temperate Grasslands found?

Answer 14

Between 40˚and 60˚

E.g. North American Plains.

Question 15

What Climate do Temperate Grasslands have?

Answer 15

Very hot summers up to 38˚C
Cold winters (up to -40˚C in Eurasian Steppe).
75% of rain in the summer

Question 16

What Flora is found in Temperate Grasslands?

Answer 16

A range of grasses can grow up to 2 meters high.

Trees struggle except near rivers.

Question 17

What Fauna is found in Temperate Grasslands?

Answer 17

Depending on continent = Bison, kangaroos, rabbits, wolves

Question 18

Where are Tropical Grasslands found?

Answer 18

Between 5˚&30˚

E.g. African Savannah

Question 19

What is the Climate of Tropical Grasslands?

Answer 19

A long dry season and a short wet season (80% of rain).

High annual temperature (average 25˚C)

Question 20

What Flora is found in Tropical Grasslands?

Answer 20

Grasses that can grow up to 3 meters tall (elephant grass).
Limited trees except the well adapted Baobab or Acacia

Question 21

What Fauna is found in Tropical Grasslands?

Answer 21

Hoofed animals such as the gazelle.

Large herbivores such as elephants and giraffes. Carnivores such as lions and cheetahs.

Question 22

Where are Temperate Forests found?

Answer 22

Between 40˚ and 60˚

E.g. Western Europe, Eastern USA.

Question 23

What is the climate of Temperate Forests/

Answer 23

Warm summers and mild winters. Average annual temperature of 10˚C Rainfall throughout the year.
Four distinct seasons.

Question 24

What Flora is found in Temperate Forests?

Answer 24

Deciduous tress shed their leaves in autumn & winter.

Large trees such as oak and ash.

Question 25

What Fauna is found in Temperate Forests?

Answer 25

Squirrels, deer, owls, bears such as the grizzly or black.

Question 26

Where do you find Tropical Forests?

Answer 26

Within the Tropics of Cancer & Capricorn (23.5˚). | They now cover 6% of Earth’s land area.

Question 27

What is the climate of Tropical Forests?

Answer 27

Hot and Wet. AVG temperatures 27˚C with low range. Rainfall = over 2,000mm per year.

Question 28

What Flora is found in Tropical Forests?

Answer 28

Distinct layers from the forest flood to the emergents. | Flora race for sunlight by growing tall or adapting to a specific area.

Question 29

What Fauna is found in Tropical Forests?

Answer 29

Depending on continent = jaguar, monkeys, apes, birds of paradise, insects.

Question 30

Where do you find Hot Deserts?

Answer 30

30˚N&S of the equator.

Question 31

What is the climate of Hot Deserts?

Answer 31

``` Day = Hot (over 30˚C) Night = Cold (lack of cloud cover). Very low rainfall 40mm per year. ```

Question 32

What Flora is found in Hot Deserts?

Answer 32

Plants have to adapt to minimal water e.g. cacti.

Question 33

What Fauna is found in Hot Deserts?

Answer 33

Camels (store water & fat in humps). Snakes, meerkats, some giraffes.