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
What are vegetation leaves and their adaptations?
Due to large amounts of water, having a drip tip allows the leaf to photosynthesise and create energy
What does the Efe tribe do?
- Gather yams, nuts, berries from the forest
- They hunt monkeys and antelope for meat and fish the rivers
- They hunt giant forest hog and trade its meat for utensils
What do ‘slash and burn’ farmers do?
- Farmers clear small areas 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
How sustainable is ‘slash and burn’ farming?
- When it’s done by small amounts it’s sustainable
- Too many farmers can destroy the land
What is the definition of sustainable?
Meeting the needs of the present population without compromising it for the next generation. To ensure sustanability, environment, people and money should be considered equally.
What do TNCs do?
Clear large areas to:
- Commercially farm beef, or to grow soy
- Grow commercial crops such as palm oil or cocoa
- Mine metal ores
- Timber
How do TNCs exploit the forest?
Although it provides profits for them, jobs for people and income for government, it can lose natural services from the ecosystem such as the carbon store and water cycle
How does economic development attribute to deforestation?
- Devloping countries’ economies are boosted through the building of roads, cities and damming rivers
- The Tacuri Dam flooded 1750km^2 of water
How does debt play a part in deforestation?
- Countries are driven to cut down forests to export timber or cash crops
- 6 million hectares of palm oil cut used as a biofuel, cosmetics and foodstuff
How has Brazil played a part in deforestation?
- Cattle ranches have earned money from internal exports to pay off debt
- The grass is grazed by cattle and the meat sold
How has the middle class played a part in deforestation?
- Its growth is biggest in South America and Asia - where the world’s rainforests are
- Bigger houses, more furniture
How has global economy played a role in deforestation?
25% of the world lives in informal settlements (1.8bn) - a big challenge for communities and governments
What can TNCs do with departments in many different countries?
- Lower production costs
- Increase sales income
