CPG 7 Flashcards
Characteristics of vegetation in tropical rainforests
Large, waxy leaves – Help shed water quickly and prevent damage from heavy rain.
Tall trees - grow up to 30–45 metres tall and keep their leaves all year due to the warm, wet climate.
3 FEATURES of tropical rainforest climate
High temp (Around 27c)
ALL year round
High rainfall
TWO ways animals in rainforests are adapted to their environments
- nocturnal behaviour to avoid daytime heat
- camouflage to blend in and protect themselves from predators
Definition of biodiversity
Biodiversity refers to the variety of living organisms
Form in which most nutrients in tropical rainforests are stored
organic matter/ organic compounds
Why do rainforests have high biodiversity?
- Optimal conditions for photosynthesis
- Fast nutrient cycling (fast decomposition)
Why are rainforests considered a valuable resource?
Biodiversity – untapped potential for medicine and food.
Carbon storage – carbon sinks/ absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to mitigate climate change.
Wood and resources – They provide valuable resources like timber, fruits, nuts, and plants, used for food, shelter, and industry.
Water cycle regulation – Rainforests help regulate the water cycle, maintaining rainfall patterns and preventing soil erosion.
FOUR stages of soil formation in deciduous woodlands
- Leaf litter (autumn)
- Decomposition
- Mineral weathering (minerals from underlying rock that are broken down by weathering)
- Layering - distinct layers - humus on top, mineral-rich soil beneath
Two Features of the Biotic Components of Deciduous Woodlands
- Trees that lose their leaves in autumn and regrow in spring (oak, beech).
- Herbaceous plants - flowering plants that grow in the dappled sunlight on the floor of the forest/ the understorey (bluebells etc).
Features of deciduous woodland climate. THREE
Moderate temperatures
Moderate rainfall
Seasonal changes
Ways in which deforestation disrupts components of a deciduous woodland ecosystem
- Less nutrient cycling/ less leaf litter
- animals lose food and habitat - decreasing population and biodiversity
- Quicker soil erosion - roots bind the soil/ increased flooding.
How do trees in deciduous woodland conserve water?
- Lose leafs to reduce transpiration
- Deep roots - to reach water supplies
How are animals in deciduous woodlands adapted for their environment
- Hibernation - lower metabolism and store fat for periods of low food source
- camouflage.
Why do deciduous woodlands have a moderately diverse ecosystem
- Seasonal variations - plants that thrive in both cold and warm conditions
- Varied habitats (canopy, understory and forest floor) providing different animals, insects and plants.
why is demand for timber from deciduous woodlands going up? THREE
- Growing population - construction materials
- Is a renewable resource - so a more eco option
- Rise of ecommerce - for packaging and cardboard.
