Cold KQ2 Flashcards
What are the Ecosystem controls?
Climate - Precipitation, Temp, Sunlight, Wind
Edaphic - Soils
Topography - Altitude, Slope Angle, Aspect
Human Modification
Biotic - Living components
Define Ecosystems?
Set of living organisms and their interaction with their physical and chemical environments to produce a stable open system
What does self regulated mean?
In a state of equilibrium
What does resistance mean?
The ability for an ecosystem to withstand a disturbance
What does resilience mean?
The capability to recover
What does homeostasis mean?
The maintenance of an equilibrium
What does fragility mean?
Easy of disturbance
What are the 2 components of a ecosystem?
Biotic - living - producers and consumers
Abiotic - non living - climate and soils
What is biomass?
Total amount of living matter at any one time
What is dead organic matter?
Litter, twigs, leaves (decaying matter)
Explain the typical tundra soils?
Bottom to top Impermeable permafrost Angular rock fragments Waterlogged soil with slow deposition Peat bog
Why is the Tundra ecosystems so fragile?
Low availability to nutrients Short growing season Extreme weather Waterlogged soil Limited precipitation Low levels of resistance/resilience Short food webs Low productivity Low species diversity Permafrost
How have plants adapted to suit the alpine environments?
Grow within rock - algae
Tree with a lateral trunk (shelter from wind)
All nutrients used - egg decay of bone lead to miniature gardens forming
Insulated stems and flowers that track the sun - arctic sun
Why is a hummock shape a good adaption?
It is like a cushion plant and the shape conserve the energy and keeps in 7 degrees warmer
Explain the Tree Groundsel?
Their dead leaves stay attached and act as lagging on the plant protecting it from the frost
Explain Alpine Meadows?
Full of flowers, decay is slow and peaty soil forms over solid rock - trees would be swept away avalanches
So shallow rooted perennials dominate
Why are there low biodiversity?
Very harsh climate - low precipitation, low temp, limited sunlight & strong winds
Poor soils - lacking nutrients, top layer partially frozen, permafrost, waterlogged
Human Impacts - pollution associated oil industries
Is net primary productivity high or low?
Low meaning there is little energy made available to plants and animals
Are there many decomposers?
No it is limited
What happens to the soils in the summer?
They become very waterlogged and prevent maximum growth - no oxygen
Why are cold environments so fragile?
Harsh climate - preventing growth of plants Low resistance High disturbance Low resilience Short food chains
How many species of birds animals are found in the arctic?
70/8600 species of bird
23/3200 species of animals
What are the stores in the nutrients cycle?
Soil
Biomass
Litter
What are the inputs in the nutrients cycle?
Precipitation
Weathering rock
What are the outputs in the nutrients cycle?
Run off
Leaching
What are the processes in the nutrients?
Uptake path - Soil to biomass
Fall out path - Soil to litter
Decomposition path - Litter to soil
What is the climate like in the Tundra?
Long winters below freezing for up to 11 months
Little precipitation about 250mm p/a
Strong winds
What are the human impacts on the Tundra?
Oil drilling - Alaska Iron ore mining - Sweden Gold mining - Alaska Tourism - Alaska Transport - Alaska - Trans Alaska Highway Military Exercises - Norway
What are the animals like in the Tundra?
Pigmentation - colour changes - arctic hares, arctic foxes, weasels that turn white in winter then brown in the summer
Insulation - lots of fur
Small size - reduce heat and moisture loss
Migration - to find food supplies
What are the soils like in the Tundra?
They are: Shallow Infertile Acidic Waterlogged Peaty
What is the vegetation like in the Tundra?
Low lying plants
Wide roots
Coarse grass - herbs - lichen - moss
NPP is low
