Battle for the Biosphere

Question 1

Define a biome and give examples

Answer 1

A large plant and animal community (ecosystem) covering a large area of the Earths surface
E.g: rainforests, deciduous forest, sahara desert, tundra

Question 2

Define a biosphere

Answer 2

Living part of the Earth

Different biomes make up the biosphere

Question 3

How does latitude affect the distribution of biomes?

Answer 3

The sun is concentrated near the equator and spread more lightly near the poles
At the poles there is less energy for photosynthesis

Question 4

Describe the climate of deserts

Answer 4

Highly concentrated sunrays
Hot, arid, dry
Air loses moisture after rising over the equator

Question 5

Describe the climate of coniferous forests

Answer 5

Cold, snowy

Question 6

Describe the climate of deciduous forests

Answer 6

Rainfall is high
Sun rays less strong
Cooler winter temperatures

Question 7

Describe the climate of tropical rainforests

Answer 7

Moist air rising
Concentrated sun rays
Heavy rainfall
Hot, humid

Question 8

Describe the climate of tundra

Answer 8

Cold desert
Sun rays have little strength
Temperatures are below freezing

Question 9

Describe the vegetation and animals in deserts

Answer 9

Cacti, short grasses, Sagebrush etc.
Very little vegetation

Camels, Kangaroos, Mice, Scorpions, Boa Constructors etc.

Question 10

Describe the vegetation and animals in coniferous forests

Answer 10

Fir trees, Poison Ivy, Mosses etc.
Trees evolved with needle leaves that reduce moisture and heat loss
Snow easily slides off branches

Arctic fox, Beavers, black bears, Moose, Squirrels etc.

Question 11

Describe the vegetation and animals in deciduous forests

Answer 11

Oak trees, Birch trees, Beech trees
Trees shed leaves at end of autumn

Eagles, beavers, fox, squirrels, raccoon, skunk etc.

Question 12

Describe the vegetation and animals in tropical rainforests

Answer 12

Evergreen rain-forests
Orchids, Brazil nut trees, Bromeliad, Poinsettia etc.

Butterflies, Ants, Parrot, Iguana, Lizards, Mosquitos etc.

Question 13

Describe the vegetation and animals in deserts

Answer 13

Tough short grasses, mosses, Dwarf shrubs, Lichen
Not much can survive

Arctic fox, Moose, Polar bear, Reindeer, Snowy owl, squirrel etc.

Question 14

Name some local factors affecting biomes.

Answer 14

Altitude - temp fall 1/2 degree for every 100m
Distance Inland - areas isolated from sea have low rainfall
Geology - limestone bedrock is permeable so dry soil conditions
Poor drainage - high rainfall means water can’t soak through the soil - thicker soil is better for plants

Question 15

What three things make up the biosphere

Answer 15

Atmosphere - plants absorb CO2 and produce oxygen
Hydrological cycle - trees act as natural flood control by slowing flow of rainwater to rivers
Soil health - dead leaves and plants add nutrients to the soil and insects and animals burrow helping the soil to breathe

Question 16

Name 4 goods or services the biosphere provides.

Answer 16

Food - fish, meats, fruits etc.
Medicines - natural substances have medicinal qualities (Quinine)
Raw materials - wood for construction of houses and boats
Services - Helps businesses through ecotourism

Question 17

What is an ecosystem?

Answer 17

Community if plants and animals that interact with each other and their physical environment

Question 18

Define degradation

Answer 18

Social, economic and environmental decline of the forest

Question 19

Summarise the Windsor forest case study

Answer 19

Before: deciduous forest, 900 Beech trees over 500years old
Became: overused, more farmland required for food demand, wood needed for ships, 1919 5% left
Now: Trying to protect and restore, Natural England manage it

Question 20

Why is the rapidly increasing population putting pressure on the biosphere?

Answer 20

More people - need more homes

Cut down trees and forests for more space to build homes

Question 21

Name 4 large scale land uses and why they clear rainforests.

Answer 21

Mining - clear space for iron mines in Grand Carajas Brazil
Timber - mahogany and teak from trees for furniture and flooring
Agricultural land - need more space for farmland for crops
Soya Craze - more meat wanted, more soya needed to feed cows, forest cut down to grow soya

Question 22

Name 5 global biosphere conservation projects.

Answer 22

Wetland management - Ramsar (Iran) treaty with 162 countries
Rainforest conservation - Debt for nature agreements (reduce if save)
National parks - 13% of Earths national parks protected
CITES - harsh penalties for poachers
World Heritage Sites - over 950 sites since 1972

Question 23

Summarise the Caledonian Forest case study.

Answer 23

Destroyed by humans
E.U given funding to restore
Bring back lost animal habitats and animal populations
Reintroduced Wild Boar
Some people living nearby don’t want dangerous animals

Question 24

Define a wetland

Answer 24

Wet area of land

Rich in biodiversity

Question 25

Define sustainability

Answer 25

Ability to keep something going so that it doesn’t threaten future generations

Question 26

Name 3 issues with being sustainable

Answer 26

Population increase -higher demand and consumption of resources
Stakeholder conflict - some people don’t want dangerous animals
Economic progress - e.g. Brazil clear the rainforest as it provides jobs and money