Cyles In Nature Flashcards
What is an open loop?
Waste from one part of the process leaves the loop: cannot be used again
Crude oil from wells: crude oil is process to make plastic for pen: pen is thrown away after use.
What is a closed loop?
Waste from one part of the process becomes the raw materials for the next part
Tree grow in taking in CO2 to produce wood: paper made from wood pulp: paper is recycled.
Name the 6 R’s:
Reduce: possible way to reduce material used
Rethink: better way to solve problem
Refuse: no accepting things that are not the best option
Recycle: could recycled materials be used?
Repair: is the product easy to repair?
Explain the Carbon cycle:
Plant respiration, burning of wood/fossil fuels lead to CO2: photosynthesis: decomposition (dead animals): plant/animal respiration: cycle continues.
Explain the Nitrogen cycle:
Nitrogen in atmosphere: 1) nitrogen fixing bacteria in roots: nitrogen fixing bacteria in soil: nitrogen fixation. 2) amino acids/proteins in plants/animals: detritus: detritivores: ammonium: nitrifying bacteria: denitrifying bacteria: cycle continues.
What helps plants grow in the tropics?
The warm, wet and sunny environment.
What does the climate mean for fungi and microorganisms?
They can break down dead plants and animals very quickly to release minerals.
What happens with cycling in a tropical forest?
Lots minerals built into plants: break down by microorganisms: less mineral nutrients in soil.
Minerals that usually make soil fertile are contained within growing plants rather than remaining in soil.
What happens with cycling in a temperate forest?
Less minerals built into plants: breakdown by microorganisms: lots mineral nutrients in the soil
Plants grow more slowly so minerals stay in the soil for a long time.
Why is it important for the plant that have fruits to have a good store of energy?
As it helps the seeds to germinate: also food source.
Why do animals and plants need to produce more offspring?
To give the maximum possible chance to produce seeds and offspring: also for mineral nutrients to be recycled.
What happens at different rates in the tropical and temperate forests?
The cycling of minerals.
What is equal in both ecosystems?
The inputs to the soil and outposts from it to plants: input-output balance gives a stable ecosystem.
What is slash and burn?
It’s agriculture is widely used method of growing food in which wild or forested land is clear cut and any remaining vegetation burned.
What does the resulting layer of ash provide?
A newly-cleared land with a nutrient rich layer to help fertilise crops.
How does the slash and burn process affect the ecological services?
The warm, wet tropical climate is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and other microorganisms, which decompose or break down much of the organic matter in tropical soils.
What does soil provide?
Minerals and water that are essential for plant growth: stores water: anchors plant in the ground.
What is the best way to protect soil?
Through vegetation: foliage intercepts rainfall reducing the effect of rain splash which causes soil to compact and lose its oxygen and structure.
What is leaching?
Is where minerals are washed out of the soil and erosion in where the soil is washed away: roots bind soil particles together, reducing erosion.
What reduces the risk of flooding?
Healthy soil which absorbs water.
When does a dustbowl occur?
When people plough up the land thinking it was good but the soil was poor ditche crops were washed or blown away.
