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Geography > Theme 2 - Climate & Natural Vegetation > Flashcards

Theme 2 - Climate & Natural Vegetation Flashcards

(44 cards)

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1
Q

factors that affect climate

A
  • latitude (temperatures & sunshine hours decrease as you get further from the equator)
  • pressure systems (low pressure = cloudiness, wind, precipitation, high pressure = fair, calm weather)
  • distance from sea (closer to the sea = higher humidity, more frequent & intense precipitation)
  • prevailing winds (push the ocean in different directions, transporting warm and cold air to different regions)
  • altitude (as altitude increases, temperatures decrease due to thinner air)
  • ocean currents (act as a ‘conveyor belt’ to transport warm and cold water to different regions)
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2
Q

factors affecting climate

low pressure systems

A

more extreme weather
e.g. wind, precipitation

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3
Q

factors affecting climate

high pressure systems

A

mild weather

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4
Q

ecosystem definitions

abiotic

A

not living or composed of living things

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5
Q

ecosystem definitions

biotic

A

living beings

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6
Q

ecosystem definitions

biome

A

a large region of the planet with a distinct climate, vegetation, and animal life

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7
Q

ecosystem definitions

food chain

A

roup of organisms linked in order of the food they eat, from producers to consumers, and from prey, predators, scavengers, and decomposers

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8
Q

ecosystem definitions

food web

A

a diagram that consists of all the food chains in a single ecosystem

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9
Q

ecosystem definitions

energy pyramid / trophic levels

A

a diagram that shows the flow and quantification of energy transfer in an ecosystem

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10
Q

deserts

hot desert climate

A

a hot and dry area with very little precipitation and low biodiversity

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11
Q

deserts

why are deserts hot?

A

Desert humidity is low, meaning there is not eenough water vapour to form clouds

The sun’s rays beat down and bake the land.

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12
Q

deserts

why are deserts dry?

A

deserts are situated in “rain shadows”

they block moisture from reaching the area

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13
Q

deserts

hot desert locations

A

near the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn

between 15-30° north and south of the equator

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14
Q

desert flora & fauna adaptations

fennec fox adaptations

A
  • kidneys restrict water loss
  • thick fur insulates from cold desert nights
  • large ears dispel heat
  • sandy fur reflects heat & camouflages them
  • thick fur on soles of feet provides traction (like snowshoes)
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15
Q

desert flora & fauna adaptations

cactus adaptations

A
  • spikes (instead of leaves) protect from animals
  • thick waxy layer prevents water loss by evaporation
  • large stems act as containers to store water
  • striped white surface reflects heat
  • extensive root system close to surface allows water to be easily captured during rainfall
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16
Q

desert flora & fauna adaptations

camel adaptations

A
  • long eyelashes - protect eyes from dust
  • long tail -can swat mosquitoes away
  • large hump -stores fat for energy
  • flat feet -avoids sinking in the sand
  • rubbery lips -can eat prickly plants
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17
Q

desert flora & fauna adaptations

acacia tree adaptations

A
  • symbiotic relationship with ants - can fight off herbivore threats
  • large,sharp thorns - protects from animals
  • small leaves - reduce evaporation
  • long roots- can reach water buried deep in the ground
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18
Q

equatorial

equatorial climate

Study These Flashcards
A

hot and wet all year round

19
Q

equatorial

why is equatorial climate hot?

Study These Flashcards
A

The equator receives direct sunlight

20
Q

equatorial

why is equatorial climate wet?

Study These Flashcards
A

heavy rainfall throughout the year and high humidity

21
Q

equatorial

equatorial locations

Study These Flashcards
A

regions near the equator, between 0° and 10° latitude on either side of the equator

22
Q

equatorial

shrub layer characteristics

23
Q

equatorial

under-canopy characteristics

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A
  • little vegetation
  • bare trunks
  • no leaves
  • lianas grow
  • energy is focused on reaching canopy layer
  • snakes and insects
  • monkeys
24
Q

equatorial

canopy characteristics

Study These Flashcards
A
  • dark and humid
  • large leaves -> maximising photosynthesis
  • biodiversity
25
# equatorial emergent layer characteristics
* hot and windy * rapid evapotranspiration * small leaves * birds of prey - little animal life
26
# rainforest flora & fauna adaptations red-eyed tree frog adaptations
- **sticky pads on feet** - *climbing trees* - **green skin** - *camouflages with leaves* - **bright colours** - *defense mechanism to startle predators*
27
# rainforest flora & fauna adaptations buttress roots adaptations
- **spread over a large area** - *can absorb nutrients* - **wide** - *spread the trees weight and provide stability* - **can grow upwards** - *providing tree with oxygen in waterlogged soil*
28
# rainforest flora & fauna adaptations lianas adaptations
- **can wrap around trees** - *using them as support to grow upwards* - **sharp hooks or spines** - *attach to host trees* - **roots with adhesive properties** - *stick to host trees*
29
# rainforest flora & fauna adaptations sloths adaptations
- **clawed toes** - *attach to trees* - **strong arms** - *can hang for long periods of time* - **greyish brown fur** - *camouflage to trees*
30
# rainforest flora & fauna adaptations green tree python adaptations
- **bright green colour** - *camouflages * - **strong & muscular tail** - *grasp branches and anchor while climbing* - **can unhinge jaw at 180 degrees** - *swallow prey faster*
31
# rainforest flora & fauna adaptations pitcher plants adaptations
- **modified leaves** - *insects crawl in and cant escape* - **attractive features** - *attract insects to trap* - **adapted to low light** - *can thrive in the shrub layer*
32
# rainforest flora & fauna adaptations drip tip leaves adaptations
- **waxy surface** - *water easily drips off* - **big leaves, large SA:V ratio** - *photosynthesis* - **shaped so water can drip off**
33
# rainforest flora & fauna adaptations spider monkey adaptations
- **high agility** - *can climb & swing through trees* - **high speed dispersal** - **can survive in hot & humid weather**
34
# rainforest flora & fauna adaptations toucan adaptations
- **long beak** - *can reach fruit and veg for food* - **long beak** - *regulates body temperature* - **camouflage** - *protects from predators*
35
# deforestation causes of deforestation
- farming *(slash & burn)* - mining - infrastructure *(roads)* - logging - palm oil plantations - urbanisation / urban sprawl
36
# deforestation impacts of deforestation
- loss of indigenous lifestyle - increased flash floods - loss of carbon sink - loss of biodiversity
37
# CASE STUDY: Desertification in **SAHEL** Introduction
Sahel is the region between sahara desert & equatorial southern africa one of the poorest areas on earth
38
# CASE STUDY: Desertification in **SAHEL** Causes
- increased population -> overgrazing & overcultivation - unreliable rainfall & only 1-2 months a year - climate change has led to drier years
39
# CASE STUDY: Desertification in **SAHEL** Impacts
- Ground is drier -> soil is eroded more easily - fewer crops available *(soil is exhausted)* - farmers lose income - food shortages -> malnutrition & famine
40
# CASE STUDY: Deforestation in **MALAYSIA** Introduction
- country in south east asia - peninsular malaysia & east malaysia - 67% covered by natural tropical rainforest vegetation - 31% decrease in tree cover since 2000 - mostly affects borneo
41
# CASE STUDY: Deforestation in **MALAYSIA** Causes
- subsistence farming *(native tribes)* - commercial farming *(large companies)* - logging -> one of the largest tropical wood exports *(80% of deforestation is due to this)* - road building for wood exports - mineral extraction *(coal)* - settlement & population growth
42
# CASE STUDY: Deforestation in **MALAYSIA** Negative Impacts
- plants used for medicine go extinct - climate change -> warmer conditions affect tea, fruit, flowers - tourism decreases as biodiversity decreases - no canopy cover -> soil is washed away by rain -> infertile soil - trees absorb CO2 which slows down global warming
43
# CASE STUDY: Deforestation in **MALAYSIA** Positive Impacts
- development of land = job opportunities - improvement in transport opens up new areas - products e.g. palm oil & rubber provide raw materials - HEP = cheap & plentiful energy - minerals e.g. gold are valuable
44
# CASE STUDY: Deforestation in **MALAYSIA** Management
- selective logging -> experts choose trees to log, minimising damage - promotion of ecotourism - international agreements to control hardwood use - debt reduction, agreements to swap debts for protection of nature

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