Ecosystems Flashcards
What are the planet’s natural systems?
Atmosphere, Biosphere, Hydrosphere and Lithosphere
Where the biosphere found between?
Between the lithosphere and atmosphere
What is the human value of the biosphere?
Used for materials, food, water and energy - valuable resources for economies
What is the natural value of the biosphere?
The planets’ animals, air, water, soils and minerals
What’s the climate like in tropical rainforests?
- Average temperature is 28°C
- 2000mm of rain per year
- No seasons
What’s the soil like?
- Red in colour and rich in iron
- Thick layer of litter, thin fertile layer
- Nutrients washed out due to heavy rainfall
What is an ecosystem?
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 that are found within
What are the biotic aspects of the rainforest?
- Animals
- Vegetation
- Detritivores - millipedes and worms
- Decomposers (bacteria & algae)
- Dead animals and plants
What are the abiotic aspects of the rainforest?
- Air
- Water
- Soil
- Climate (temperature, water, light)
What do leaves do?
Enable photosynthesis by using carbon dioxide, warmth and sunlight
What do trees do?
They produce their own energy from light for the whole ecosystem - producers
What does soil do?
It’s crucial for growth as it produces minerals for cell growth
What are the primary consumers?
Caterpillars, who eat the leaves/fruits (herbivores)
What are the secondary consumers?
Birds - they eat both animals and plants (omnivores)
What are the top consumers?
Jaguar - they only eat animals (canivores)
What happens when animals and plants die?
Bacteria, funghi and worms decompose them quicky due to the humid conditions
What happens to the minerals and where are they found?
They are found in dead animals and plants and returned to the soil where it’s used for growth by vegetation
What are some facts about the rainforest?
- 16,000 tree species
- 40,000 plant species
- 1,300 bird species
- 10,000 animal species
Why is there such high biodiversity in the TRF?
- The climate is perfect for year-round growth and reproduction
- Rainforests are ancient and have a stable climate, so thousands of different species have evolved
- The multiple layers in a tropical rainforest provide numerous different, specialised habitats so plants and animals have evolved to take advantage of these
Why are leaves on the forest floor dark?
Dark colours absorb more light so photosynthesis is more effective - more light is transformed into chemical energy
What are lianas and their adaptations?
They are climbing plants that loop around tree trunks to get to the light faster as they have no support other than the trees
What are emergents and their adaptations?
40m high trees with no branches so all their energy can reach the light through their height
What are Buttress roots and their adaptations?
3m wide roots which support the emergents but because the soil is poor, the roots must grow wide and shallow
What are epiphytes and their adaptations?
Plants that grow on trees’ branches so they can be above the canopy and also have aerial roots which take in nutrients from the air
