Ecosystems And Rainforests Flashcards
Learn all about the components of ecosystems and rainforests, the interdependence of those components and causes and effects of deforestation.
What is an ecosystem?
An ecosystem includes all of the biotic members (living things) in a given area, interacting with each other and also with abiotic factors (their non-living environment).
What is a producer?
An organism that makes its own food. Such as, plants which use photosynthesis to get energy.
What are food chains and how do they work?
A food chain is a network of organisms where each member survives by consuming other members lower in the chain. For example, grass seeds are eaten by a vole which is eaten by a barn owl. The arrows between each item in the chain point in the direction of energy flow -in other words, from the food to the feeder. A food chain shows the direct links between organisms.
What are food webs?
A food web is a formation of food chains to make a more complex network. For example, grass is eaten by insects which are eaten by voles and frogs. Voles are eaten by hawks and foxes whereas frogs are just eaten by the fox.
Describe the nutrient cycle.
Nutrients are dropped from trees in to the soil which are brought up by plants. These are then eaten by other organisms. These creatures may be eaten, but will eventually excrete the nutrients(or die causing them to decompose) resulting in the nutrients going back into the ground. The cycle will repeat with plants sucking up nutrients.
Identify 3 factors affecting freshwater and wetland wildlife.
Water pollution- The glutinous snail was found in clean unpolluted lakes, ponds and ditches. It now survives in just one site in Wales and was declared extinct in England in 2010.
Introduced species- White clawed crayfish have been eliminated from large parts of southern Britain by crayfish plague.
Lack of active management- Without active management, such as grazing and cutting, fens, feedbacks and other early successional habitats will turn to scrub and woodland.
Describe the biome of “Hot desert”.
Example: Cairo, Egypt
Extreme hot climate, very dry with cayotes.
Temperature in June is 27° and in December it is 14°. Rainfall in June is 0mm and in December it is 3mm.
Describe the biome of “Tropical Rainforest”.
Example: Manaus, Brazil
Continous rainfall and ample sunlight. Highest biodiversity (70% of animal species).
In June and December the temperatures are both 28°. The rainfall in June is 110mm and in December it is 220mm.
Describe the biome of “Taiga”.
Example: Kahmo, Finland
Forest with waxy, coniferous trees. Conifer cones are food for squirrels, who are eaten by weasels, foxes and lynx.
Describe the carbon cycle.
Though the natural course of life and death in rainforests carbon moves through the environment in a process known as the carbon cycle. Burning fossil fuels unbalances the cycle resulting in build ups of carbon in the atmosphere, causing climate change.
What is the management method of replanting?
Replanting is the practice of replanting forestry where forest used to stand. This is encouraged through a variety of projects globally, normally the inititives are run by charities. In Borneo “Save the orangutan” will plant 110,000 trees in 4-5 years. The trees are orangutan friendly so they can live there. Also it reduces carbon dioxide.
What is the management method of Ecotourism?
The practice of directing tourism towards exotic natural environments intended to support conservation efforts and observe wildlife. Volanoes tourism company in Rwanda do this.
What is the management method of Debt reduction?
This is when a country allows another country to be free of debt in order that they use the reduced debt money for conservation projects. For example, the US and Brazil have signed an agreement converting 21 million dollars of Brazilian debt into a fund to protect ecosystems. Brazil will conserve it’s Atlantic coastal rainforest. Similar agreements have totalled at $240 million with other countries.
