Ecosystems Flashcards
Why is the phrase for trees ‘lungs of the earth’ true ?
Because trees absorb CO2 for us which saves the planet
What is the biosphere’s human value ?
Human value: Around the world people directly use the biosphere for materials, food, water, and energy.
What is the biosphere’s natural value ?
Natural value The natural value of the planets’ animals, air, water, soils and minerals is huge.
What percent of medicine comes from the rainforest ?
75% of all cancer treatments come from the rainforest. 150 prescription drugs in the UK originate in some way from the TRF. Periwinkle - child Leukaemia; Digitalis - heart failure; Chinchona tree - heart problems.
What do slash and burn farmers do to the rainforest ?
- Farmers clear small areas (2 hectares) by
cutting and burning the trees. - The ash from burning adds nutrients to the
soil - The land is farmed for food for 5 years but
after that the soil becomes infertile and the farmers move to a new area.
What do the Efe tribe of Ituri do to the rainforest and its resources to live ?
• Houses are made out of wood and leaves
• Wood for cooking comes from the forest
• Efe hunt monkeys and antelope for meat and
fish the rivers too
• They gather yams, nuts, berries from the
forest
• They hunt giant forest hog and sell its meat to
other people in the region in exchange for
cooking utensils etc.
• They use plants to make medicines
• The Efe worship the forest and believe it as
being sacred. They call it ‘father’ or ‘mother’ and making offerings to the forest for protection
What are the largest areas of the rainforest cleared for ?
- Pasture land for commercial farming of cattle
- Large-scale agriculture for commercial crops, such as palm oil or cocoa, and soy to feed
cattle - Small-scale agriculture for subsistence farming
- Logging woods for paper, furniture etc
- Mining metal ores (copper and iron)
- Dams and reservoirs
What is the definition of an ecosystem ?
An ecosystem is the study of the living and non living things in an environment where the living things interact between each other and also with the non living environment they are found within.
What is biodiversity ?
The variety of animals, plants, fungi and mircro-organisms like bacteria that make up our own world.
What is a biome ?
A biome is a large collection of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat.
What are national parks and how do they protect the rainforest ?
National parks setting up parks and reserves to try and preserve the unique flora and fauna for conservation purposes. All development in the forest is restricted to preserve natural systems in the soil and climate and to protect animals and plants.
What is monitoring and why soes it help protect the rainforest ?
monitoring through satellite technology and photographs to check all activities are taking place legally and follow the guidelines for sustainability. The size and poor accessibility of the rainforest makes it difficult for accurate tracking of illegal activities even with the best technology.
What are conservation swaps and why do they help the rainforest ?
a way of reducing a countries debt and benefiting nature and conservation at the same time.
What is ecotourism and why does it help the rainforest ?
Tourism that minimises damage to the rainforest and its people resulting in money going to protect the rainforest even more. Local people are employed to help.
The trees transpire (give off) huge amounts of water through transpiration. This provides water for cloud formation. When the trees are cut down, the local climate becomes drier and hotter. THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL OR ECONOMIC ?
Environmental.
