5. Ecosystems Flashcards
1
Q
What is an ecosystem?
A
- a natural system made up of plants, animals and the environment
2
Q
What is a producer
A
- producers convert energy from the the environment (sun) to sugars
3
Q
What is a consumer
A
- consumers get energy from sugars produced by producers
4
Q
What is a decomposer
A
- decomposers break down plant and animal material and return nutrients to the soil
- e.g bacteria and fungi
5
Q
What is Nutrient Cycling
A
The cycling of nutrients from the atmosphere or the soil to the animals and plants, back to the soil via decomposers
6
Q
Whaat are 4 human effects that could occur on an ecosystem?
A
- agricultural fertilisers can lead to eutrophication and they run off into water and growth of algae is increased, which depletes oxygen and sunlight so fish and plants may die\
- Woods cut down destroying habitats
- Ponds may be used as agricultural drains
- hedgrows cut down which takes away habitats and reduces biodiversity
7
Q
What is the tropical rainforest like and where is it located?
A
- close to the equator
- high temp and heavy rainfall, ideal for plants to grow
- 6% of world
- half the species of animals and plants live here and a quarter of our medicines come from here
8
Q
What is the desert like and where is it located
A
- 30 degress north and south of the equator
- 20% of the world
- high daytime temp, low nightime temp, low rainfall
- sinking air stops clouds forming
9
Q
What are the polar regions like and where are they located
A
- Arctic/Antarctic
- cold air sinks at both poles which means low temperatures and dry conditions
- mainly Antarctica and Greenalnd
10
Q
What are the deciduous and coniferous forests like and where are they located
A
- 50-60 degrees north of equator
- coniferous trees are evergreen while deciduous shed leaves (to retain moisture), confierous in colder places such as Scandinivia and Canada, while deciduous is commonly in UK
11
Q
What is temperate grassland like and where is it located
A
- 30-40 degress north and south of equator
- hot summers and cold winters
- fast areas of grassland in North America and Eastern Europe
- used for grazing animals
12
Q
What is the Mediterranean like and where is it located
A
- 40-45 north of equator (also some isolated regions such as western aus)
- hot sunny and dry summers
- mild winters
- similar to California
13
Q
What is Tropical Grassland/Savanna like and where is it located
A
- 15-30 degrees north and south of equator
- distinct wet and dry seasons
- lions, lepaords
14
Q
What is Tundra like and where is it located
A
- Arctic Circle, 60-70 degrees North
- low growing plants adapted to cold and lack of moisture
- fragile ecosystem, threatened by oil extraction
