Ecosystems, Biodiversity and Management Flashcards
What is an Ecosystem
This is a community of living organisms and non-living organisms
What affects the distribution of Ecosystems
Climate, such as temperature, rainfall, and sunlight. But also nutrients in the soil and different altitudes.
What is the Climate like in Tropical Rainforests
Hot but rainy and humid. This is because they are near the equator and in between the Hadley cells.
What are the Characteristics of a Tropical Rainforest
The trees are evergreen meaning they don’t drop their leaves in a particular season.
Wide range of animals due to the dense vegetation
Leaves decompose and release nutrients into the soil however there washed way quickly due to the heavy rain.
What is the Climate and Characteristics like in a Temperate Forest
They are found in places with high rainfall and mild temperatures:
Climate - they have four seasons, there’s rain all year round, and the hours of sunshine vary throughout the year
Characteristics - plants such as oak have broad leaves, and shrubs grow underneath, there are a variety of animals, and the soil is nutrient-rich due to the decomposing go the leaves.
What is the Climate and Characteristics like in a Boreal Forest
They are found in high altitudes with cold weather:
Climate - they hack short summers and long winters, not a lot of rainfall but there is snow.
Characteristics - the trees are evergreen meaning they grow when there’s enough light, less animals due too the low vegetation, soils are nutrient-poor due to the dry floor which make it long for leaves to decompose.
What is the Climate and Characteristics like in a Desert
Found in high-pressure and low rainfall areas, between 15 and 35 north and south:
Climate - very low rainfall and high temperatures in the morning but cold at night
Characteristics - plant growth is sparse due to the low rainfall, there are only cacti and thorn bushes. There are not many animals due to the low vegetation. The soil is nutrient-poor because of the little leaf litter
What is the Climate and Characteristics like in a Tropical Grassland
Found near the equator where there isn’t a lot of rain for trees to grow:
Climate - have wet and dry seasons, the grass is vulnerable to fires. They get a lot of sunshine.
Characteristics - not many trees due to the low rainfall, mainly grass. Many animals feed on the grass. The soil is nutrient-rich because of the fires on the grass. However, there washed away quickly when rainfall occurs.
What is the Climate and Characteristics like in a Temperate Grasslands
Found in high altitudes above Tropical Grasslands:
Climate - low rainfall, but they have hot seasons and very cold seasons. There sunlight varies due to where they are on the earth
Characteristics - Not many trees due to the little rainfall but mainly grass and small plants. The soil is nutrient-rich especially in the summer due to the high temperatures.
What is the Climate and Characteristics like in a Tundra
Found at very high latitudes:
Climate - the temperatures are very low, and the rainfall is low as it is mainly snow.
Characteristics - they have a cold climate and a lack of light which makes it hard for plants to grow, not many animals due to the lack of vegetation. The soil is nutrient-poor due to the slow decomposition and little leaf litter.
What does the Biosphere provide for Humans
Food - vegetables and fruits come from plants which we farm. Fish are also caught from the ocean to eat.
Medicine - lots of plants have cures in them such as penicillin from willow trees.
Materials - trees can be farmed to get timber but clay can also be farmed underground.
Fuel - Plants are used for fuel. Fossil fuels are also extracted from the biosphere.
How do Humans exploit the Biosphere
Energy - increase in energy demand means more resources are need like fossil fuels, for example in the tundra this melts the permafrost damaging the Biosphere.
Water - increase in population means more water is needed which makes people clear land to make dams or forests have been flooded due to this.
What are the four different UK Ecosystems
Moorland - found ink upland areas such as Scotland
Wetlands - found in some upland areas but mainly near floodplains
Heaths - found in lowlands near the South
Woodlands - found mostly everywhere in the UK but mainly in the South
What are the Characteristics of a Heath
Dry and Acidic Soil, which makes the soil nutrient-poor.
What are the Characteristics of a Moorland
They have acidic soils due to the layer of peat.
What are the Characteristics of a Wetland
They have bogs which decompose plants very slowly forming peat bogs. There soils are waterlogged most of the time meaning only few plants can be grown here.
What are the Characteristics of a Woodland
They are mainly deciduous meaning the trees lose their leaves in Autumn. Trees grown here are Oak, Ash etc. The soil here is very nutrient-rich as when they leaves fall they decompose and mix with the soil which make small plants grow underneath.
However, there are Coniferous Woodlands which are evergreen and don’t drop their leaves.
How does the Marine Ecosystem provide for us
Economy - they attract tourists to visit.
Energy - the sea provides fossil fuels and Natural Gas used for fuel. They also have tidal and wind-powered stations which generate electricity.
Fishing - people catch fish to sell and eat which provides Jobs
How are Humans damaging the Marine Ecosystem
Pollution - plastic pollutes the sea and damages fish. Run-off from farms contains fertilisers which damage corals.
Seabed Damage - trawl nets damage the seabed as they catch onto plants
Fishing - demand for fish makes some fish extinct due to overfishing, which creates a knock-on effect.
