7.1

Question 1

Ecosystem

Answer 1

The study of how the biotic/living aspects of the environment interact with each other and the abiotic features of the non-living environment they are found in

Question 2

Biome

Answer 2

Large-scale ecosystems over a country/continent with distinct plants/animals/climate

Question 3

Tundra climate

Answer 3

Cold dry climate(5-10C) and low precipitation(less than 250mm a year)

Question 4

Tundra vegetation

Answer 4

Mosses, grasses and low shrubs, lack of vegetation due to cold and lack of light

Question 5

Boreal forest climate

Answer 5

Cold, dry climate, less than 500mm precipitation a year, short summers and long winters

Question 6

Boreal forest vegetation

Answer 6

Lack of trees due to lack of light
Lack of animal species due to less food available and poor climate
Soils are thin and nutrient-poor since trees decompose slowly
Coniferous trees like pine and fir

Question 7

Temperate forest climate

Answer 7

High rainfall(up to 1500mm per year)
Warm summers with longer days
Cool winters with shorter days

Question 8

Temperate forest vegetation

Answer 8

Mild, wet climate supports less plant species than tropical forests, but more than boreal forests.
Rich soils due to plants decomposing quickly.
Wider range of plants provides habitats for animals

Question 9

Temperate grasslands climate

Answer 9

Hot summer(up to 40C)
Cold winters(down to -40C)
Precipitation in late spring and early summer

Question 10

Temperate grasslands vegetation

Answer 10

Few trees
Fewer animal species than tropical grasslands
High temperatures increase decomposition - soils are rich in nutrients

Question 11

Desert climate

Answer 11

Low rainfall- less than 250mm a year
Hot temperatures a day

Question 12

Desert vegetation

Answer 12

Lack of rainfall means plant growth
High temperatures mean few animal species
Soils nutrient-poor due to lack of vegetation decomposing

Question 13

Tropical grassland climate

Answer 13

Low rainfall(800-900mm per year)
Distinct wet + dry seasons
Temperatures highest before wet season and lowest after it

Question 14

Tropical grasslands vegetation

Answer 14

Many grass, scrub and small plants
Home to lots of insects
Grass dies back during dry season forming nutrient-rich soil

Question 15

Tropical forest climate

Answer 15

High temperatures(20-28C)
High rainfall - 2000mm a year

Question 16

Tropical forest vegetation

Answer 16

Quick plant growth - plants adapted to absorb light
Dense vegetation provides food and habitats for lots of species
Plants grow and decompose quickly, meaning rich soil

Question 17

How do biomes change with altitude on mountain sides?

Answer 17

The higher the altitude, the lower the temperatures of the biome and mountains are more exposed to the wind,so slopes are steeper and soils are thinner. Biomes decrease in size and are replaced by species like grasses.

Question 18

How do alkaline rocks change the vegetation type in the UK?

Answer 18

Alkaline rocks like limestone rocks are dry,
meaning more beech trees than oak trees
in certain areas and limestone pavements reduce tree growth.

Question 19

How does rock type affect drainage of soil and vegetation?

Answer 19

Permeable rocks(which let water soak through them) increase soil drainage but could cause drought due to being dry and prevent vegetation, however impermeable rocks don’t let water soak through them and water drainage reduces, but these rocks hold nutrients and maintain vegetation.