Ecosystems Flashcards
What are the characteristics of the tundra?
- arctic tundra - located between arctic polar ice cap and strip of boreal forest
- alpine tundra - located in extreme mountainous regions
- cold treeless area (coldest biome)
- low temperatures
- very little precipitation
- short growing season
- low biological diversity
What are the characteristics of the desert?
- cover 20% of earth’s land
- very little rainfall
- extreme temperatures
- region which gets less than 200mm of precipitaion per year
- limited plant and animal life
What are the characteristics of the savanna grassland?
- hot, seasonally dry
- scattered trees
- extended dry season + rainy season
- animals migrate in herds because of this
What are the characteristics of the coniferous (boreal) forest?
- cold woodland
- cold, harsh climate
- low precipitation
- some animals can cope with the winter environment, but many migrate south or hibernate
What are the characteristics of the temperate forest?
- cool, rainy areas
- trees lose leaves in autumn and grow back in spring
- found in middle latitudes around the globe
- four distinct seasons
- soil is fertile - often enriched with falling leaves, twigs, logs + dead organisms
What are the characteristics of the tropical rainforest?
- 23.5° north - 23.5° south of equator
- hot - wet all year
- 12 hours of sun all year
- rich in plants + animals
- all plants are evergreen
- plants grow quickly + are adapted to take in max light
- dense vegetation- probides food+ habitats for animals
- leaves decompose quickly, providing constant supply of nutrients to soil
- 1/5 of all insects live in rainforests
How are the ecosystems distributed globally?
- earth’s climate is driven by sun’s energy
- temperature decreases with latitude
- equator recieves most heat - sun is directly overhead
- hot air rises and forms convection rainfall - forming tropical rainforests
- cool, dry air falls at 30°N/S of equator forming deserts
What is the distribution and characteristics of the moorlands?
- found in upland areas that are too high to be used for crops
- rough grassland + peat bogs; low growing plants
- plants + animals include: heather, rare birds
- managed for grouse shooting
What is the distribution and characteristics of the heathlands?
- scattered across the UK in lowland locations
- some are dry and sandy, others are marshy
- plants + animals include: unique species rarely found elsewhere (eg marsh gentian, sand lizard)
What is the distribution and characteristics of the wetlands?
- only a small amount of wetland is left in the UK - they can be drained to make fertile land
- low nutrient, waterlogged soil
- plants + animals include: bog mosses, wading birds, dragonflies
What is the distribution and characteristics of the woodland?
- 40° - 60° north/south of equator
- mostly deciduous
- plants + animals include: oak trees, grass, birds, deer
Give examples of threats / uses of moorlands
- T: grouse shooting
- U: recreational use, nation trust locations
Give examples of threats / uses of heathlands
nature conservation
Give examples of threats / uses of woodlands
- T: increase in visitors - can damage it
- U: timber, fuelwood, space for leisure, habitats for plants / animals
Give examples of threats / uses of wetlands
- U: habitatas for wildlife, store water, absord wind, space for recreational activities
