ECOSYSTEMS

Question 1

Define ecosystems

Answer 1

interpendent system containing biotic and abiotic, and interactions between them

Question 2

Distrubution and characteristics of of ecosystems (8 marker)

Answer 2

CLIMATE

1. temperature
   - earth is round, insolation approaches equator at high angle, more concentrated insolation–> regions close to equator have high temperatures and low seasonality due to receiving constant insolation

• temperature decreases as we move towards the poles

therefore TRF most be found near the equator as it needs high temperature and low seasonality o support its long growing season and high biodiversity

2. precipiation
   –> equator is a low pressure belt
   as air rises and cools, water holding capacity decreases, air condenses, leading to high precipitation near the equator

therefore TRF found near it as it needs 2000-3000mm of rainfall to support its hgih biodiversity

while tundras are found near equators as its low biodiversity doesn’t require much precipitation to support

HUMANS
- global warming means distribution of ecosystems are no longer up to climate, as humans have the ability to change the climate.

Question 3

explain how locals affect the distribution and characteristics of ecosystems

Answer 3

temperature decreases by 1 degree celcius ever 1000 m above sea level

deep soils cannot survive high, steep terrain

therefore different characteristics are exhibited in mountainous areas, even within the same biome
for example Mount Kilimanjoro has charactersitics of tundra even though it is situate in a tropical biome

Question 4

explain 2 resources biospheres provide.

Answer 4

1. food– fish/ meat for protein and human growth
2. timber– used as building materials for furniture

Question 5

explain 2 exploitations of the biosphere

Answer 5

1. water exploitation (increase human demand means decreased supply in biospheres for animal growth)
2. energy (increased production of biofuels decrease growth of food crops for local people)

Question 6

4 UK terrestrial ecosystems and their characteristics

Answer 6

moorlands– peat bogs/ rough grass
heathlands– marshy/ dry and sandy
woodlands– rich in plants and wildlife
wetlands– waterlogged soils are low in nutrients

Question 7

importance and degration of UK marine ecosytems

Answer 7

1. tourism
   *250 million people visit the UK coastline per year
   :( development of coastlines destroys plants and habitats
2. wind energy
   *London Array is the world’s largest OFFSHORE windfarm
   :(visual pollution/ harmful to birds
3. fishing
   * jobs in commercial fishing
   :(overfishing of COD disrupts food chain

:( fertilisers cause eutrophication