ecosystems and tropical rainforests (p1) Flashcards
what is nutrient cycling
the transfer of energy between living and non-living matters
what is a biome
a global scale ecosystem such as rainforests
definition of an ecosystem
a community of plants and animals that interact with one another and their physical environment
examples of biotic features
insects, fungi, bacteria, plankton etc.
examples of abiotic features
gases, soil, water, rocks etc.
what is a producer
convert energy from environment into sugars
what is a consumer
get energy from the sugars produced by the producers
what is a decomposer
breakdown plant and animal material, returning nutrients back into soil
CS: key features of epping forest
- several native tree species
- lower shrub layer of grass
- 700 species of fungi
inter-relationships of animals/plants/soil in spring
bulbs flower like bluebells using sunlight to grow
inter-relationships of animals/plants/soil in summer
broad tree leaves grow quickly from big SA maximising suns energy for photosynthesis
inter-relationships of plants/animals/soil in autumn
trees shed leaves to conserve energy and moisture as sunlight and temperature decreases
inter-relationships of plants/animals/soil in winter
bacteria and fungi decomposer leaf litter to release nutrients
+ve impacts of humans on epping forest
- managed for recreation and conservation
- visitors pick fruit which helps disperse seeds
-ve impacts of humans on epping forest
- initially used for hunting
- trees cut down to encourage straight growth
main sources of nutrients in an ecosystem
- rainwater washing away chemicals
- weathering of rocks releasing chemicals
distribution of TRFs
- cover about 2% of earth
- found in broad belt close to the equator
climate of TRFs
- equatorial climate
- average 27 degrees throughout the year
- 2000ml of rain per year - ideal for plant growth
water in TRFs
- have wet/dry seasons
- during wet season, rivers can flood and water soaks into soil
soil in TRFs
- not very fertile
- nutrients are in topsoil
- plants have very shallow roots
people in TRFs
- traditional tribes live in harmony with the environment
- many people are starting to exploit rainforests for wood
what resources to species compete for in TRFs
sunlight, food, water
how are lianas adapted to TRF conditions
grow up trees to access sunlight
how are drip tips adapted to TRF conditions
allows water to run off quickly without damage
how are buttress roots adapted to TRF conditions
large SA support large trees that grow up for sunlight
how is the poison dart frog adapted to TRF conditions
- absorb toxins in their mucus
- have extra strong suction cups to climb slippery branches
how are three-toed sloths adapted to TRF conditions
- extra vertebrae in neck to turn 270 degrees
- can swim in floods
- brown green algae in fur to camouflage
value of resources in TRFs (SE)
rich in wood and minerals
value of medicine in TRFs (SE)
25% of all medicine comes from TRFs
value of energy in TRFs (SE)
high rainfall can provide for hydroelectric power
value of employment in TRFs (SE)
rainforests can provide employment in tourism, construction, mining or farming
value of water in TRFs (E)
important source of freshwater - 20% of worlds comes from amazon
value of climate change in TRFs (E)
rainforests are a carbon sink
value of soil erosion in TRFs (E)
shelter and bind soil together which prevents erosion and soil ending up in rivers
reasons for deforestation
- cattle ranching
- commercial farming
- mineral extraction
- energy development
- subsistence farming
- road building
- selective logging
impact of local climate change
regional - less trees grow if theres less water
impact of soil erosion
global - plants cannot regrow meaning loss of carbon sink affecting atmosphere
impact of river pollution
regional - loss of biodiversity so loss of food source so could lead to hunger
impact of decline of indigenous
local - loss of culture
impact of climate change
global - constant increasing severity of global warming having knock on impacts
impact of biodiversity loss
global - can affect food chains, losing more species in the forest and loss of medicine
strategies in small scale forestry to reduce deforestation
- selective logging
- agroforestry
- replanting
how do governmental agreements reduce deforestation
tries to remove the illegal side of logging but may not find everyone
how does debt reduction reduce deforestation
helps remove economic issues like income
how does ecotourism reduce deforestation
creates funding for conservation projects, keeps locals busy. educates people with minimal damage
how does education and conservation reduce deforestation
aims to educate people in order to protect it
