7.1 Flashcards

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1
Q

What is an ecosystem?

A

The study of the biotic and abiotic aspects of an environment such as a woodland where the living things interact between each other and also with the non-living environment they are found within

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2
Q

What is a biome?

A

A large scale ecosystem found across the globe across the globe; each biome has its own group of plants and animals and climate which makes it unique and distinctive.

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3
Q

How does latitude affect biomes?

A

Latitude affects temperature, hours of sunshine, and seasonality. Eg. Equatorial locations have warm climates throughout the year as they are near to the equator meaning they receive direct sun rays all year round, higher temp, and more hours if daylight.

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4
Q

What is precipitation affected by?

A

Latitude - desserts and tundra are found at high pressure as no clouds form so no rain hence less vegetation can form. Opposites for forests (both tropical and temperate)

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5
Q

What is the climate like in a Tundra

A
Low temp. (-5 to -10 in summer, -30 in winter)
Low rainfall (less than 250mm per year)
Most falls as snow
Almost 24hrs sunlight in summer, barely any in winter
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6
Q

What is the climate like in a Boreal forest

A
Short summers long winters
Winter temps - below -20
Summer temps - 10° average
Low precipitation
Clear skies 
Lots of daylight in summer, close to non in winter
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7
Q

What is the climate like in a temperate forest?

A

4 distinct seasons
Warm summers cold winters
High rainfall all year round
Short days in winter longer days in summer

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8
Q

What is the climate like in a temperate grassland?

A
Hot summers (up to 40°) and cold winters (down to -40)
250-500mm rainfall each year, most in late spring and early summer.
Further from equator means amount of sunlight varies through year
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9
Q

What is the climate like in a desert?

A

Low rainfall (less than 250mm per year)
Might only rain once every 2 or 3 years.
High temps in day (up to 45°) cold at night (0°)
More sunlight in summer as less cloud cover. Lots of sunlight in day

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10
Q

What is the climate like in a tropical grassland?

A

Quite high rainfall (800-900mm)
Distinct wet and dry seasons.
Temps highest before wet season (35°) and coldest just after it (15°)
Lots of sunlight

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11
Q

What is the climate like in a tropical forest?

A

Same climate all year round.
Hot as theyre near equator
Day length is same all year round
High rainfall (2000mm per year)

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12
Q

What is the vegetation like in a tundra?

A

Cold climate and lack of light make it hard for plants to grow.
Hardly any trees.
Vegetation includes mosses, grasses, and low shrubs.
Layer of permafrost below soil surface stopping water draining away
Soil is thin and nutrient poor

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13
Q

What is the vegetation like in a boreal forest?

A

Most trees are evergreen so grow whenever theres light
Coniferous trees (eg. Pine) are common as are low growing mosses and lichen
Needles from trees decompose slowly so soil so soils are quite thin and nutrient poor and acidic.
In some areas the ground is frozen

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14
Q

What is the vegetation like in a temperate forest?

A

Fewer plant species than tropical forests but more than boreal forests
Often made up of broad-leaved trees that drop leaves in autumn
Shrubs and undergrowth plants lose leaves in autumn and decompose quickly so soil is thick and nutrient rich

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15
Q

What is the vegetation like in a temperate grassland?

A

Dominated by small plants and grasses
Few trees
High temps in summer means soil is thick and nutrient rich

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16
Q

What is the vegetation like in a desert?

A

Plant growth is sparse - lack of rainfall.
Some do grow eg. cacti and thorn-bushes
Little leaf litter
Organic matter is slow to decompose so soils are thin and nutrient poor

17
Q

What is the vegetation like in a Tropical grassland?

A

Consist mostly of grass, shrub, and small plants with few scattered trees eg. Acacia
Grass dies back during dry season forming thin, nutrient rich soil
Nutrients are wasted in wet season

18
Q

What is the vegetation like in a tropical forest?

A

Mostly evergreen trees
Plants grow quickly and adapted to take in maximum light
Plants shed leaves all year round and decompose quickly so theres a constant supply of nutrients in the soil.

19
Q

How does altitude affect local biomes?

A

Higher altitude are colder - fewer plants grow - limits animal species. Not much organic matter, so soils are thin or non existent

20
Q

How does rock type affect local biomes?

A

Some rocks are easily weathered to form soils. Different rock types contain different minerals. Affects soil nutrient richness. Some rocks are permeable and impermeable

21
Q

How does soil type affect local biomes?

A

Nutrient rich soil support more plants. Acidity and drainage of soils varies, affecting plant growth.

22
Q

How does drainage affect local biomes?

A

If drainage is poor, soils get waterlogged and only water adapted plants grow there. Very wet areas may be home to aquatic species of plants and animals.

23
Q

In what way does water lead to abiotic and biotic factors interacting?

A

Water affects plants growth. If soil is dry, only wet desert plants such as cacti will be able to survive. Plants take in water from soil and release it into atmosphere, providing moisture for rainfall.