7 People and the biosphere Flashcards
What does the biosphere contain?
The biosphere contains all living organisms
Where is the biosphere located?
between the lithosphere and the atmosphere
What is the biosphere divided into?
9 major biomes (e.g. tropical
rainforest and taiga)
What are biomes?
biomes are large-scale ecosystems.
What are the location and characteristics of biomes influenced by?
- temperature
- precipitation
- sunshine
All are controlled by
latitude
What are some local factors that can alter the biome distribution?
- Rock and soil type (acidity and nutrients affect plant
growth) - Water availability and drainage (some pants prefer wet
soil, others dry soil) - Altitude (temperature decreases with height, rainfall
increases)
What do biomes consist of?
- the biotic (living) part e.g.plant and animal life
- the abiotic (non-living) part e.g. the atmosphere, water, rock
and soil.
What do biomes provide to humans?
Biomes provide humans with different goods and services
What is the
importance of ecosystem services varies
- Provisioning services (goods) e.g. food, fuelwood, timber,
chemical materials - Supporting services e.g. nutrient cycling, photosynthesis, soil formation
- Regulating services e.g. carbon storage and the hydrological
cycle - Cultural services e.g. tourism, education, science, and wellbeing
What are large areas
of biomes being cleared for?
- commercial farming
- mining metal ores
- timber
- construction of dams for HEP and water supply.
What is a carbon sink?
Where carbon is stored. They maintain healthy air, soils and the hydrological cycle
What leads to an increase in demand for natural resources?
- Population growth
- Industrialisation
- Urbanisation
- Rising wealth
What is the result to an increase in demand for natural resources?
- Biomes are destroyed for farming
- Species are threatened
- Rivers and atmosphere are polluted
