Ecosystems, biodiversity and management Flashcards
How do local factors affect distribution?
- Altitude - higher altitudes are colder, so fewer plants grow there, which also limits the number of animal species.
- This means there isn’t much organic matter, so soils are thin or non-existant.
- Soil type - more nutrient-rich soils can support more plants. The acidity, drainage, and thickness of soils also varies, affecting the plants that can grow. E.g:
-Peat soils are very acidic, so only acid-tolerant plants such as conifers can grow in these soils.
- Clay soils are sticky, so water can’t flow through very easily, making it hard for plants that need weel-drained soils to grow.
- Thin soils (e.g. on mountain tops) do not have enough nutrients for large trees to grow.
Where are tropical forests found?
- Tropical forests are found in low-lying areas near the equator.
Climate of tropical rainforests?
- Tropical rainforests have a hot, wet climate.
- The climate doesn’t change throughout the year - it is always hot and rainy.
- The day length is the same all year (around 12 hours), so the forests get plenty of sunshine.
Characteristics of tropical forests?
- Plants - almost all trees are evergreen (they don’t drop their leaves). Plants grow quickly and are adapted to take in maximum light.
- Animals - dense vegitation provides lots of food and different habitats for animals, so lots of different species of animal.
- Soils - plants shed leaves all year round. These decompose quickly, so constant supply of nutrients in the soil, and these nutrients are cycled quickly.
Where are temperate forests found?
- Temperate forests are found in places with high rainfall and mild temperatures in the mid latitudes.
Climate of temperate forests?
- Mild, wet climate.
- Four distinct seasons. Warm summers and cool winters.
- Rainfall is very high (up to 1500mm per year), rain all year round.
- Days are shorter in the winter, longer in the summer - the hours of sunshine vary through the year.
Characteristics of temperate forests?
1, Plants - fewer plant species than tropical forests, but more than boreal forests. Forests often made of broad-leaved trees that drop their leaves in autumn, shrubs and undergrowth.
2. Animals - the mild climate and range of plants provides food and habitats for mammals, birds and insects.
3. Soils - plants lose their leaves in autumn, and leaf litter decomposes quickly, so soils are relatively thick and nutrient rich.
Where are boreal forests?
- Boreal forests are located in the high altitudes, where plants and animals are adapted to the cold climate.
Climate of boreal forests?
- Boreal forests have a cold, dry climate.
- Boreal forests hvae short summers and long winters. In winter, average temperatures are below -20 degrees celcius and can drop much lower. In summer, average temperatures are about 10 degrees celcius.
- Precipitation is low - generally less than 500 mm per year. A lot of this falls as snow.
- Boreal forests get lots of daylight during the summer months, but little or none during the winter. Skies tend to be clear, so during daylight hours there’s plently of sunshine.
Characteristics of boreal forests?
- Plants - most trees are evergreen, so they can grow whenever there’s enough light. Coniferous trees such as pine and fir are common, as are low-growing mosses and lichen.
- Animals - there are releatively few animal species in boreal forests compared to other forests, because there is less food available. Black bears, wolves, elk and eagles.
- Soils - Cool, dry climate means that needles from the trees decompose slowly, so soils are quite thin, nutrient-poor and acidic. In some areas the ground is frozen for most of the year.
Where are deserts?
- Found in a belt of high pressure and low rainfall between 15 degrees and 35 degrees north and south of the equator.
Climate of deserts?
- Hot, dry climates.
- Rainfall very low - less than 250mm per year. My rain once every two or three years.
- Very hot in day (e.g. 45 degrees celsius), cold at night (below 0 degrees)
- More daylight during summer than winter. Little cloud cover so lots of hours of sunshine every day.
Characteristics of deserts?
Plants - sparse growth due to lack of rainfall. Cacti and thornbushes. Short life cycle, only appear when it rains.
Animals - few animal species. They are adapted to live in harsh climate. Lizards, snakes, insects and scorpions.
Soil - sparse vegetation means little leaf litter. Dry climate means organic matter is slow to decompose. Soils are mostly thin and nutrient-poor.
Where are tropical grasslands?
- Near equator in places where there isn’t enough rain to support many trees.
Climate of tropical grasslands?
- Quite low rainfall (800-900mm per year) and distinct wet and dry seasons.
- Fires common during dry season.
- Temperatures highest (around 35 degrees celsius) before the wet season and lowest (around 15 degrees celsius) after it.
- Near the equator so lots of sunshine all year round. `
Charcteristics of tropical grasslands?
Plants - grass, scrub and small plants, few scattered trees. Plants adapted to recovery quickly after a fire.
Animals - lots of insects, grasshoppers, beetles etc. Lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras and antelope.
Soils - grass dies back or is burned during the dry season, thin nutrient rich soil, nutrients washed out of soil during wet season.
Where are temperate grasslands?
- Found at higher alititudes and higher latititudes than tropical grasslands.
Climate of temperate grasslands?
- Distinct hot and cold seasons.
- Hot summers (up to 40 degrees celsius) and cold winters (down to -30 degrees celsius)
- 250-500mm precipitation each year, mostly late spring and early summer.
- Light reception varies throughout the year.
Characteristics of temperate grasslands?
Plants - dominated by grasses and small plants. Rainfall too low to support large plants - few trees.
Animals - fewer animal species than than tropical grasslands - bison and wilde horses.
Soils - high temp. in summer means decomposition happens quickly, soils are relatively thick and nutrient rich.
Where are tundras?
- High latitudes (above 60 degrees north) in northern Europe, Alaska and northern Canada.
Climate of tundra?
- Cold, dry climate.
- Low temperatures, 5-10 degrees celsius during summer and lower than -30 degrees celsius in the winter.
- Very low precipitation, less than 250mm per year. Most of this falls as snow.
- Near continuous daylight in the summer and little or no daylight in winter.
Characteristics of tundra?
Plants - cold climate and lack of light in winter make it hard for plants to grow. Mosses, grasses, low shrubs.
Animals - cold climate and lack of vegetation - few animals. Arctic hares, arctic foxes, mosquitoes and birds.
Soil - sparse vegetation means little leaf litter, organic matter decomposes slowly. Soil is thin and nutrient poor.
What is the biosphere?
- The biosphere includes all parts of the earth that are occupied by living organisms.
What FOOD resources does the biosphere provide?
- Most people get their food from the biopshere indirectly e.g. livestock.
- Some people get food directly from the biosphere e.g. picking fruit and hunting and trapping animals.
- People also eat fish which are caught from rivers, lakes and the sea.
What MEDICINE resources does the biosphere provide?
- Lots of plants have medicinal properties and are used to cure illnesses and keep people healthy.
- Plant species in tropical rainforests have been used to create over 7,000 drugs.
What BUILDING MATERIALS does the biosphere provide?
- People get materials from the biosphere which are used for construction, e.g. trees are used for timber.
- Clay can be quarried directly from soil and made into bricks or tiles.
What FUEL does the biosphere provide?
- Wood, dried grass and dried animal dung are burnt as fuel.
- Fossil fuels are also extracted from parts of the biosphere.
How are humans exploiting the biosphere for ENERGY?
- Demand for energy in increasing as population grows.
- Large areas of forest are cut down to clear land for growing crops that can be used to make biofuels, or to make way for coal mines and power stations.
- Drilling for oil and gas in the tundra is damaging the biosphere (pipelines melting permafrost)
- Some areas of tropical forest have been flooded by the building of hydroelectric dams.
- Fracking can pollute the air and contaminate groundwater.
How are humans exploiting the biosphere for WATER?
- Demand for water increasing as population grows.
- Water resources can be over-exploited - this is happening in arid lakes like the sahara desert.
- This can cause damage to the biosphere, as plants and animals no longer have enough water to survive.
How are humans exploiting the biosphere for MINERALS?
- Minerals such as gold and iron are used in building, scientific instruments, electrical appliances etc. Demand for them is also increasing.
- Mines in tropical forests are responsible for lots of deforestation and toxic chemicals are washed into streams and rivers, killing wildlife.
- Open pit mining removes large areas of the land surface, reducing habitat for plants and animals.
What distinct ecosystems does the UK have?
- Heaths in southern England in lowland areas (below 1000m).
- Moorland in upland areas like Scotland, northern England and Wales.
- Wetlands found on floodplains and some upland areas.
- Woodlands throughout UK lowlands.
