Ecosystems

Question 1

An example of a small scale UK ecosystem

Answer 1

Avington Park Lake - lack of maintenance resulted in accumulation of silt and the growth of vegetation. Restoration involved destining and redefining the lake and creating new waterside habitats.

Question 2

What is the impact on the ecosystem of changing one component?

Answer 2

Woods cut down destroyed habitats for birds, affecting the nutrient cycle.
Eutrophication causes growth of algae which will deplete oxygen so fish die.
Hedgerows removed destroys habitats, altering the plant/animal balance.

Question 3

An overview of the distribution and characteristics of large scale natural global ecosystems

Answer 3

Rainforest - equator - covers 6% of surface, high temperatures, high rainfall, low pressure belt.
Desert - 30N&S of - 20% of surface, high daytime temp and low night temp due to sinking air stopping cloud formation
Coniferous/deciduous forest - 50-60N - shed leaves in winter / retain leaves
Grassland - 30-40N - warm, dry summers, cold winters.
Mediterranean - 40-45N - hot, sunny and dry summers, mild winters. Pressure belts migrate slightly north and south.
Savanna - 15-30N - Wet and dry seasons, wild fires, thunderstorms in wet season
Tundra - 60-70N - low growing plant, easily damaged by humans

Question 4

The physical characteristics of a tropical rainforest

Answer 4

Very tall trees
great variety of wildlife
Leaves have drip tip to allow heavy rain to drip off the leaf and are flexible so bases can turn to sun

Question 5

How plants and animals adapt to the physical conditions

Answer 5

Plants and animals found in canopy where there is most light. Enjoy close relationship with abiotic factors. Small changes can have serious knock of effects.

Question 6

causes of deforestation

Answer 6

Logging - Clea felling lead to total destruction of forest habitats.
Mineral - rainforest cleared for mining and road construction
Population - 15000 ha rainforest felled for settlers.
Commercial - Large areas of land were converted to palm oil plantations so land were destroyed
Subsistence - Slash and burn led to clear the land but creates valuable nutrients that help plants grow.

Question 7

Strategies used to manage the rainforest sustainably

Answer 7

Selective loggin - Identity what is there, trees marked for felling arrows indicate direction to avoid damaging other trees. Survey check what has been felled, replacement trees planted.
Conservation - preserved for education, tourism and scientific research.
Tourism - Income generated means everyone benefits from retaining and protecting rainforest trees.
Debt reduction - raise money for deforestation programmes, reduced debts in return

Question 8

Strategies used to manage the rainforest sustainably

Answer 8

Selective loggin - Identity what is there, trees marked for felling arrows indicate direction to avoid damaging other trees. Survey check what has been felled, replacement trees planted.
Conservation - preserved for education, tourism and scientific research.
Tourism - Income generated means everyone benefits from retaining and protecting rainforest trees.
Debt reduction - raise money for deforestation programmes, reduced debts in return for protecting rainforests.