Earths ecosystems Flashcards
realm
major component of biosphere that differ from each other
biome
part of a realm
factors affecting biome distribution
light/temp/water
what causes biome distribution
humans/resources/distrubance
tropics
highly productive, high temp/rain, around equator, not limited by 3 factors
threats to tropics
deforestation, over exploited animals
dry tropical forest
same as tropic but more threatened
temperate (boreal forest/woodland)
moderate-high productive, trees, seasonal, light limited in winter
threats to temperate
deforestation, fires
shrublands
limited productivity due to lack of nutrients/water, high levels of endemism (species found no where else)
threats to shrublands
grazing, invasive species
savannas/grasslands
hot, limited water, lots of grass species
threats of savannas
poaching, droughts
deserts/semi deserts
low rain/productivity, plants are specifically adapted
threats to deserts
climate change
poles/alpines
low productivity, low light, artic/antarctic
threats to poles
permafrost melting, bacteria being released
intensive land use
entirely humans, urban/farming/industrial
threats to land use
unsustainable agriculture affecting soil health
fire return interval
how often things burn, humans increase it, having right fire return interval is needed for biomes
COP/kyoto protocol
conference of parties, kyoto protocol sets binding emission reduction targets, for countries
problems with protocol
caps carbon production not footprint/ companies cause more problems than countries
paris agreement
allows countries to determine own contributions but sometimes countries may not do enough
