biomes and ecosystems

Question 1

biome

Answer 1

large region of the earth that has a specific climate along with distinct types of plants and animals adapted to that environment

Question 2

southern africa’s seven terrestrial biomes

Answer 2

fynbos
forest
savanna
grassland
desert
succulent karoo
nama karoo

Question 3

difference between a biome and an ecosystem

Answer 3

a biome is a wide region with similar climate and dominant life forms, while an ecosystem is a smaller area within a biome where living organisms interact with each other and their environment

Question 4

stepps

Answer 4

another word for a grassland

Question 5

another term for a savanna

Answer 5

bushveld

Question 6

what three factors determine the existence of grasslands

Answer 6

altitude
longitude
moisture

Question 7

where are grasslands found

Answer 7

where altitude, longitude and moisture overlap

Question 8

why did farmers burn the grass

Answer 8

to get new grass shoots for their livestock, stopping the growth of trees

Question 9

why is it important for grasslands to undergo fires

Answer 9

fires play a role in maintaining the health and balance of grassland ecosystems

Question 10

physical weathering

Answer 10

breaking down rocks and minerals into smaller pieces without changing their chemical composition

Question 11

biological weathering

Answer 11

the breakdown of rocks and minerals by living organisms

Question 12

chemical weathering

Answer 12

the breakdown and alteration of rocks and minerals through chemical reactions

Question 13

what is responsible for the low to no rainfall in the west of Africa

Answer 13

the cold Benguela Sea current

Question 14

Benguela Sea current

Answer 14

it causes a cloud of fog that covers the coastal area over a 50km wide strip. no perennial rivers or lakes are found in this area. the tropical sun has caused this area to become drier and drier through the years.

Question 15

succulent xerophytes

Answer 15

stores water in fleshy stems, leaves and/or roots.
thick cuticle
leaves are thorns or spikes to restrict transpiration
stems photosynthesize

Question 16

non-succulent xerophytes

Answer 16

leaves are small to decrease the total evaporation surface
usually survive dry seasons underground as bulbs or corms that can also store water

Question 17

drought-escaping plants

Answer 17

very short and brief lifespan
seeds germinate, plants grow and produce in the short period after a good rainfall
survive dry conditions

Question 18

xerophyte

Answer 18

a plant adapted to conditions of drought or seasonal water scarcity

Question 19

hydrophytes

Answer 19

have the ability to grow in water or swampy conditions

Question 20

mesophytes

Answer 20

adapted to average conditions of sufficient water, with water stress only at times, because of too little or too much.

Question 21

why are adaptations in plants important

Answer 21

cope with environmental changes
make use of resources
protect themself
reproduce.

Question 22

why are rivers and streams in the desert seldom perennial

Answer 22

when the rivers are in flood after good rains they take along large quantities of sand.

Question 23

fynbos

Answer 23

small leaves are the biggest part of the vegetation

Question 24

what extreme climatic conditions do the fynbos have to survive

Answer 24

summers are dry with strong winds and winters are cold (snow can occur) with heavy rainfall

Question 25

what does the Benguela current cause in a fynbos biome

Answer 25

relatively low rainfall

Question 26

4 aspects when the influence of fire in fynbos are described

Answer 26

often
season
intensity
size of area

Question 26

what does the fire do to the fynbos’ biome

Answer 26

plants develop protective mechanisms to grow and reproduce

Question 27

three categories of aliens

Answer 27

category 1- must be destroyed immediately, may not be planted in other areas, may not be sold
category 2- commercial value, may only be planted for agricultural purposes, a permit is necessary.
category 3- decorative value, not necessary to remove them but no new plants may be planted.

Question 28

difference between indigenous and endemic

Answer 28

indigenous species are species that naturally occur and are found in a particular region/ecosystem. endemic species are species that are unique to a specific geographic location.

Question 29

organisms in aquatic ecosystems are divided into three ecological categories/groups

Answer 29

plankton
nekton
benton

Question 30

two types of plankton

Answer 30

phytoplankton and zooplankton

Question 31

plankton

Answer 31

tiny organisms that float or drift in water which can be plants (phytoplankton) or animals (zooplankton) and form the base of the aquatic food web, providing essential nutrients for larger marine creatures.

Question 32

nekton

Answer 32

aquatic animals that can swim and move independently of water currents.

Question 33

benton

Answer 33

organisms that live on, in, or near the bottom of water bodies playing crucial roles in the ecosystem by recycling nutrients and serving as food for other marine animals.

Question 34

what are estuaries

Answer 34

formed where freshwater and seawater meet (river mouths)
undergo daily, seasonal, and annual changes in temperature, salinity, and water depth.