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rainforests and hot deserts > ecosystems + rainforests > Flashcards

ecosystems + rainforests Flashcards

1
Q

define ‘ecosystem’:

A

the interaction of living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) elements in a given area.

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2
Q

give examples each of biotic and abiotic elements:

A

biotic:
- plants
- animals

abiotic:
- climate
- soil
- water

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3
Q

what is the difference between a food web and a food chain?

A
  • a food chain outlines who eats whom, moving from the producers to the quaternary consumers.
  • a food web is all of the food chains in an ecosystem, and how they are interlinked.
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4
Q

give an example each of a producer, a primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary consumer in the Frensham Ponds ecosystem:

A

producer: algae
primary consumer: water flea
secondary consumer: dragon fly
tertiary consumer: perch
quaternary consumer: heron

overall, plants act as producers at the start of all food chains, and herbivores then eat these plants - these are the first consumers. the second consumers are the carnivores who eat the herbivores.

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5
Q

what is a nutrient cycle?

A

moves valuable minerals (e.g. nitrogen, magnesium, calcium) through an ecosystem. plants and animals consume nutrients found in the soil, and decomposers such as small bacteria and fungi break down dead vegetation and animals and return these nutrients back to the soil.

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6
Q

how can fishing affect the Frensham Ponds ecosystem?

A

fish is added to ponds for fishing, subsequently, there’ll be a massive increase in the perch and stickle-back population, meaning more secondary consumers will be consumed (e.g. newts, dragonflies). Primary consumers will now have less to eat, resulting in a significant decrease in primary and secondary consumers.

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7
Q

how can a rise in silt input affect the Frensham Ponds ecosystem?

A

ponds have an input of silt, which is a dust-like material, transported by water and wind. ponds gradually get shallower with time, resulting in an increase in producers. this means all consumers will be fed better, and the ecosystem will thrive (however, it may get too crowded, and the species could begin to feel stressed)

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8
Q

what is eutrophication?

A
  • when too many nutrients are added to a water body, there’s an increase in water nutrient concentration.
  • these nutrients (commonly nitrate and phosphate) are ‘food’ for algae, causing a thick green bloom on the water surface.
  • this algal bloom absorbs sunlight, meaning it can’t reach the bottom - plants who need this sunlight in order to photosynthesise die.
  • bacteria then breaks down the plants and algae, releasing nutrients back into the water.
  • bacteria then multiplies rapidly due to the nutrients in the water, consuming oxygen as they grow and respire.
  • this causes the oxygen in the water to potentially run out completely , turning the water anoxic. this means that all non-bacterial life in the water (e.g. fish and other animals) will die.
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9
Q

what is a biome?

A

a biome is a large ecosystem. it’s an area on the Earth’s surface that has a similar climate, and biotic and abiotic elements.

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10
Q

describe tundra:

A
  • north and south poles.
  • very few animals and plants can survive.
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11
Q

describe coniferous forest (taiga):

A
  • scandinavia, russia, canada
  • evergreen trees thrive
  • cool, temperate climate
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12
Q

describe temperate deciduous forest:

A
  • found across Europe and in the USA
  • trees lose their leaves every year and thrive in mild and wet conditions (temperate maritime climate)
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13
Q

describe temperate grassland:

A
  • hungary, south africa, argentina, USA
  • grass and trees that thrive in a temperate continental climate
  • moderate rainfall, mild conditions
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14
Q

describe desert:

A
  • near tropics of cancer and capricorn
  • very hot and dry
  • plants and animals specially adapted to survive in these harsh conditions
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15
Q

describe savannah grassland:

A
  • central africa, southern india, northern australia, central south america
  • long grasses, few scattered trees
  • hot and dry conditions
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16
Q

what are the characteristics of a tropical rainforest biome?

A
  • close to the equator
  • high temperatures, heavy rainfall
  • ideal conditions for plants, over 1/2 of the world’s biotic elements live in this ecosystem
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17
Q

describe the relationship between the climate and the soil in a rainforest:

A
  • decomposition happens rapidly because of the humid, warm, and moist climate
  • this rapid decomposition creates a nutrient-rich layer of soil, allowing plants to grow fast
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18
Q

describe the relationship between humans and the forest:

A
  • humans are impacting plant and animal life by deforestation (exposes the forest floor to sunlight, reduces number of trees).
  • fewer trees absorb CO2 through photosynthesis.
  • soil erosion increases, reducing quality of soil and reducing ability of rainforests to support large animal populations.
  • trees that used to catch rainwater and protect the soil have been removed, exposing the soil.
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19
Q

what are some facts about rainforests (including the climate)?

A
  • 6% of the world’s land surface is rainforest
  • rainforests have a high biodiversity. 50% of the world’s plants and animals are situated there
  • the climate is roughly the same throughout the year, averaging at 28 degrees celsius. rainfall is heavier towards the beginning of the year - the average rainfall is 175.25mm
  • HOT, MOIST BIOME, RAINS ALL YEAR LONG
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20
Q

describe the location of tropical rainforests:

A

mainly distributed along the equator, in several African, South American and Asian countries - between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn

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21
Q

describe convectional rainfall:

A
  • sun’s rays heat the ground
  • the ground heats up the surrounding air
  • warm air rises, and as it rises, water vapour cools and condenses to form clouds
  • further cooling leads to heavy precipitation
22
Q

how can a warm and wet climate affect the rainforest?

A

a warm and wet climate means that dead plant material is quickly decomposed by the fungi and bacteria on the forest floor.
- the surface soil is high in nutrients, so plants can grow easily

23
Q

explain how plants and animals have a symbiotic relationship?

A
  • most rainforest plants rely on animals (mainly insects, but also birds and mammals) for pollination
  • plants then pass on their nutrients when eaten by animals, and this means that animal populations are high
24
Q

describe the rainforest water cycle:

A
  • heavy convectional rain falls every afternoon
  • most of this rain is intercepted by leaves in the canopy, and evaporates from the leaf surface
  • very little reaches the forest floor, but any that does is taken up by plant roots
25
Q

describe the different layers of a rainforest:

A

SHRUB LAYER:
- largest animals, and spiders/insects. decomposers such as bacteria and fungi. very very little to no plants grow here.

UNDER-CANOPY:
- little light, so fewer plants grow there.

CANOPY:
- where the tops of most trees are, and where most of forest life exists.

EMERGENT LAYER:
- where the tallest trees are. these receive the maximum amount of sunlight.

26
Q

describe drip-tip leaves and fan leaves:

A

drip-tip leaves:
- approximately 90% of plants have adapted to the heavy rain with waxy coatings and drip tips which allow water to run off easily.

fan leaves:
- leaves in the under-canopy and shrub layer are broader and and larger to absorb as much sunlight as possible in the gloomy conditions.

27
Q

describe buttress roots, lianas, and epiphytes:

A

buttress roots:
- tree roots which are spread out to provide stability and to absorb water and nutrients which are found in the top soil layers.

lianas:
- long-stemmed, woody vines that are rooted in the soil at ground level and use trees to climb up to the canopy to get access to the sun.

epiphytes:
- these plants grow on the branches of trees, rather than rooted in the soil. they obtain water and nutrients from dew, air moisture, and rainwater.

28
Q

describe the adaptations of a harpy eagle:

A
  • a top predator in the food chain.
  • long curved talons (same size as grizzly bear claws). this helps grasp large prey (e.g. sloths, monkeys), but also to perch securely on branches.
  • powerful, hooked beak to tear food with.
  • relatively short wings allow them to manoeuvre swiftly and silently through thick forests and vegetation.
  • their vision is magnificent; they’re able to see something smaller than an inch from almost 70 metres away.
29
Q

describe the adaptations of a canopy-spider monkey:

A
  • spends its life in the canopy, almost never coming to the ground.
  • they have long limbs which are ideal for swinging and climbing through the trees.
  • they have a long, strong tail, which is used for climbing, like a fifth hand. this means they can hang on their tail, leaving their hands free to gather fruits.
  • hook shaped hands are also ideal for swinging.
30
Q

what are rainforests’ global importance?

A
  • rainforest plants and animals hold many medicinal properties, which could provide for the planet. 25% of all medicines come from rainforest plants. 2000 rainforest plants have anti-cancer properties. only 1% have been tested for medicinal use.
    > e.g. bat saliva helps prevent heart
    attacks.
  • rainforests are nicknamed, ‘the lungs of the Earth’, as they provide 28% of the world’s oxygen. they also absorb carbon dioxide, so they help prevent the enhanced greenhouse effect and global warming.
  • half of all the world’s plants and animals live here - but many are yet to be discovered. plant and animal habitats are being lost forever and extinction is commonplace.
  • it’s believed that the Amazon rainforest alone stores over half of the Earth’s rainwater. water is drawn from the forest floor by trees, and is released back into the air. without this constant recycling of water, droughts would be more common, ultimately leading to global widespread famine and disease.
31
Q

describe the country of Peru:

A
  • on the continent of South America, to the east of the Pacific Ocean. borders Brazil, Ecuador, etc.
  • Peru is an NEE (newly emerging economy).
  • 2/3 of Peru is covered by the Amazon rainforest.
  • 30% of people live below the poverty line.
  • 50% of people in the country are considered poor.
32
Q

what are rainforests’ national importance?

A
  • soya, which is produced in rainforests, is used by the farming sector as livestock feed for chickens, pigs, etc.
  • palm oil is used in the production of foods (e.g. cake, chocolate). it’s also used in cosmetics, soap, and shampoo.
  • pulp plantations are used to produce fibre for wood-pulp and paper, which can be exported internationally. this provides jobs, improves relationships with other countries and increases income - it’s overall good for the economy.
33
Q

how can exports and trade create wealth and development in Peru?

A
  1. soy, beef, palm oil is exported to richer countries, who pay money to Peru’s companies, promoting the production of more products.
  2. the production of soy, beef and palm oil creates jobs in Peru. the government can tax these workers, meaning they’re richer and can spend money on schools, hospitals roads, electricity, etc. meaning Peru develops.
34
Q

what is the value of the rainforest to the Jacuna Tribe?

A
  • made a canoe from a whole tree. no tools needed apart from an axe. their houses are built from the forest, using wood, leaves, and vines.
  • fish is the main protein in their diet, and they use poisonous roots to stun fish and catch them.
35
Q

what is the value of the rainforest to the Kayapo Indians?

A
  • the Indians have a use for 90% of forest plants (e.g. for use in face and body paints)
  • body ornaments are made from animal bones and teeth, bird feathers and tree bark. musical instruments are also made from animal bones and skin, bamboo and nutshells.
  • nine species of stingless bees are used to make honey.
36
Q

there are 7 causes of deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest. describe logging:

A

3% of deforestation in Brazil is caused by logging. trees like mahogany and teak are valuable, but to get them, more trees are destroyed.

37
Q

there are 7 causes of deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest. describe mining:

A

50,000 hectares of the Amazon rainforest is used for gold, silver and oil mining. these mines employ many people who’re homeless. this has led to the growth of many settlements in the rainforest, leading to further deforestation.

38
Q

there are 7 causes of deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest. describe cattle ranching:

A

the cause of 80% of the deforestation in Brazil is cattle ranching. the cattle, which are then exported, provide cheap meat for the USA and income for Brazil.

39
Q

there are 7 causes of deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest. describe commercial crop farming:

A

large plantations growing bananas, sugar canes, tea, and coffee are responsible for around 10% of the destruction. Brazil is set to become the biggest growers of soybean in the world.

40
Q

there are 7 causes of deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest. describe road building:

A

the dense vegetation makes the Amazon rainforest inaccessible. in order to exploit the forest, roads are needed to make it more accessible for machinery.

41
Q

there are 7 causes of deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest. describe energy production:

A

currently, there are plans for 45 new hydro-electric power plants, such as dams, in the Amazon basin. the hope is to increase Brazil’s energy production by 50%.

42
Q

there are 7 causes of deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest. describe population growth and migration:

A

population growth in south-east Brazil is high. the Brazilian government encourage people to migrate to the Amazon, to prevent overcrowding. new towns and farms have grown in the forest, destroying more of this ecosystem.

43
Q

what are the global impacts of deforestation?

A
  • reduced biodiversity and extinction: many plant and animal species are yet to be discovered. many of these plants may have medicinal properties.
  • global warming and less oxygen: trees absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen. sow with fewer trees, carbon dioxide levels will increase and oxygen levels will decrease.
  • less rainfall: rainforests generate higher levels of rainfall through evaporation and transpiration. if these are deforested, the world will experience lower rainfall.
44
Q

what are the local impacts of deforestation?

A
  • soil erosion: once the rainforest is removed, the soil is degraded so that nothing can grow.
  • river pollution: the mercury used to separate the gold after mining pollutes rivers.
  • amazonian tribes: in 1990, there were 400 tribes. now, there are only 240.
45
Q

what’s the issue of deforestation, and what’s the general solution?

A

issue:
rainforests are being deforested far too quickly, as it provides jobs, profits and development for Brazil. however, this is bad for the planet as it relies on the ecosystem for medicine and oxygen.

solution:
sustainable management - ideas that ensure the rainforest stays, but also creates jobs, money and profit.

46
Q

describe the selective logging model:

A

2 YEARS BEFORE:
identify trees to log.

1 YEAR BEFORE:
paint arrow on tree, showing direction it needs to be chopped to avoid damage.

NOW:
tree felled by licensed company.

3-6 MONTHS LATER:
check that the correct trees have been felled.

2 YEARS LATER:
draw up plan for the forest area.

3-10 YEARS LATER:
replant new trees.

30-40 YEARS LATER:
cycle starts again.

47
Q

explain how debt reduction works:

A

some countries have previously borrowed money from companies (e.g. world bank). all loans come with interest payments. to repay these debts, countries have raised previously raised money from massive deforestation programmes. some organisations and countries who are owed money have begun to reduce debt and interest payments in return for an agreement that the paying countries won’t deforest their rainforests.

48
Q

explain how international agreements help sustain rainforests:

A
  1. a legal, controlled, sustainable logging company, that are an FSC member cuts down select trees.
  2. FSC monitors the logging and carries out spot checks.
  3. legal logging wood is registered and stamped with the FSC logo.
  4. the wood is then exported, and once at its destination, is checked by countries who have signed up to the 2006 international agreement.
  5. intelligent shoppers then only buy wood from shops that are registered with the FSC.
49
Q

what is the 2006 International Agreement?

A

the International Tropical Timber Agreement was set up in 2006, which 71 countries have signed up to. it’s organised by the United Nations.

50
Q

explain how education and conservation works:

A

rainforests can be preserved in conservation areas (e.g. national parks, tourism areas). these areas can be used for education, scientific research and tourism. recently, large international businesses have supported conservation projects in exchange for carrying out scientific research, or carrying out the provision of raw materials.

51
Q

describe the benefits of ecotourism:

A

environment:
- looks after the environment.
- caring for the plant and animals is essential to attract tourists.

social:
- the small developments are run and controlled by local people.
- preserves local culture.
- educates local people and tourists on how important rainforest conservation is.

economic:
- provides jobs and income for local people.
- profits stay in the local community and directly benefit local people.
- local produce (i.e. food) is used, benefitting local farmers.

rainforests and hot deserts (2 decks)

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