ecosystems and tropical rainforests (p1)

Question 1

what is nutrient cycling

Answer 1

the transfer of energy between living and non-living matters

Question 2

what is a biome

Answer 2

a global scale ecosystem such as rainforests

Question 3

definition of an ecosystem

Answer 3

a community of plants and animals that interact with one another and their physical environment

Question 4

examples of biotic features

Answer 4

insects, fungi, bacteria, plankton etc.

Question 5

examples of abiotic features

Answer 5

gases, soil, water, rocks etc.

Question 6

what is a producer

Answer 6

convert energy from environment into sugars

Question 7

what is a consumer

Answer 7

get energy from the sugars produced by the producers

Question 8

what is a decomposer

Answer 8

breakdown plant and animal material, returning nutrients back into soil

Question 9

CS: key features of epping forest

Answer 9

• several native tree species
• lower shrub layer of grass
• 700 species of fungi

Question 10

inter-relationships of animals/plants/soil in spring

Answer 10

bulbs flower like bluebells using sunlight to grow

Question 11

inter-relationships of animals/plants/soil in summer

Answer 11

broad tree leaves grow quickly from big SA maximising suns energy for photosynthesis

Question 12

inter-relationships of plants/animals/soil in autumn

Answer 12

trees shed leaves to conserve energy and moisture as sunlight and temperature decreases

Question 13

inter-relationships of plants/animals/soil in winter

Answer 13

bacteria and fungi decomposer leaf litter to release nutrients

Question 14

+ve impacts of humans on epping forest

Answer 14

• managed for recreation and conservation
• visitors pick fruit which helps disperse seeds

Question 15

-ve impacts of humans on epping forest

Answer 15

• initially used for hunting
• trees cut down to encourage straight growth

Question 16

main sources of nutrients in an ecosystem

Answer 16

• rainwater washing away chemicals
• weathering of rocks releasing chemicals

Question 17

distribution of TRFs

Answer 17

• cover about 2% of earth
• found in broad belt close to the equator

Question 18

climate of TRFs

Answer 18

• equatorial climate
• average 27 degrees throughout the year
• 2000ml of rain per year - ideal for plant growth

Question 19

water in TRFs

Answer 19

• have wet/dry seasons
• during wet season, rivers can flood and water soaks into soil

Question 20

soil in TRFs

Answer 20

• not very fertile
• nutrients are in topsoil
• plants have very shallow roots

Question 21

people in TRFs

Answer 21

• traditional tribes live in harmony with the environment
• many people are starting to exploit rainforests for wood

Question 22

what resources to species compete for in TRFs

Answer 22

sunlight, food, water

Question 23

how are lianas adapted to TRF conditions

Answer 23

grow up trees to access sunlight

Question 24

how are drip tips adapted to TRF conditions

Answer 24

allows water to run off quickly without damage

Question 25

how are buttress roots adapted to TRF conditions

Answer 25

large SA support large trees that grow up for sunlight

Question 26

how is the poison dart frog adapted to TRF conditions

Answer 26

- absorb toxins in their mucus - have extra strong suction cups to climb slippery branches

Question 27

how are three-toed sloths adapted to TRF conditions

Answer 27

- extra vertebrae in neck to turn 270 degrees - can swim in floods - brown green algae in fur to camouflage

Question 28

value of resources in TRFs (SE)

Answer 28

rich in wood and minerals

Question 29

value of medicine in TRFs (SE)

Answer 29

25% of all medicine comes from TRFs

Question 30

value of energy in TRFs (SE)

Answer 30

high rainfall can provide for hydroelectric power

Question 31

value of employment in TRFs (SE)

Answer 31

rainforests can provide employment in tourism, construction, mining or farming

Question 32

value of water in TRFs (E)

Answer 32

important source of freshwater - 20% of worlds comes from amazon

Question 33

value of climate change in TRFs (E)

Answer 33

rainforests are a carbon sink

Question 34

value of soil erosion in TRFs (E)

Answer 34

shelter and bind soil together which prevents erosion and soil ending up in rivers

Question 35

reasons for deforestation

Answer 35

- cattle ranching - commercial farming - mineral extraction - energy development - subsistence farming - road building - selective logging

Question 36

impact of local climate change

Answer 36

regional - less trees grow if theres less water

Question 37

impact of soil erosion

Answer 37

global - plants cannot regrow meaning loss of carbon sink affecting atmosphere

Question 38

impact of river pollution

Answer 38

regional - loss of biodiversity so loss of food source so could lead to hunger

Question 39

impact of decline of indigenous

Answer 39

local - loss of culture

Question 40

impact of climate change

Answer 40

global - constant increasing severity of global warming having knock on impacts

Question 41

impact of biodiversity loss

Answer 41

global - can affect food chains, losing more species in the forest and loss of medicine

Question 42

strategies in small scale forestry to reduce deforestation

Answer 42

- selective logging - agroforestry - replanting

Question 43

how do governmental agreements reduce deforestation

Answer 43

tries to remove the illegal side of logging but may not find everyone

Question 44

how does debt reduction reduce deforestation

Answer 44

helps remove economic issues like income

Question 45

how does ecotourism reduce deforestation

Answer 45

creates funding for conservation projects, keeps locals busy. educates people with minimal damage

Question 46

how does education and conservation reduce deforestation

Answer 46

aims to educate people in order to protect it