Ecosystems (theme 3) Flashcards
What is the climate in tropical rainforests?
-No seasons
-Temp in range of 21 to 30 degrees all year
-Lots of precipitation (rain) all year
What is the soil like in tropical rainforests?
-Heavy rain washes away minerals and nutrients meaning the soil left behind is infertile
-First layer of soil is fertile and nutrient rich but does not extend beneath the surface
What are the plants like in tropical rainforests?
-Plants grow all year
-Battle for sunlight so trees have to grow higher to not be put in the trees
-Interdependence between vegetation
-Vegetation cover is very dense
Soil in hot semi arid grasslands
-In dry season the grass dies
-Dead organic matter creates thin soil rich in nutrients
-Rainfall at start of wet season wipes nutrients away
Animals in hot semi arid grasslands
Large mammals like antelope, lions,rhinos
Lots of insects
Climate in hot semi arid grasslands
-Found close to the equator so lots of sunshine and high temps
-Wet and dry seasons
-Annual rainfall 600mm-900mm
Plants in hot semi arid grasslands
-specifically adapted trees
-Most plants are grasses or small plants
Animals in temperate grass lands
Bison wild horses gazelles
Plants in temperate grass lands
Grasses or small plants
Soil in temperate grass lands
Thick and rich in nutrients because hot summers mean decompisition happens more quickly
Biotic
Living components e.g animals and plants
Abiotic
non-living components e.g soil rock atmosphere water
Producers
Use light energy from the sun to make there own food
Consumers
Consumers can’t make their own food. Instead, they get their energy by consuming other organisms
Decomposers
Decomposers (e.g. bacteria, fungi) recycle organic matter within an ecosystem. They’re crucial for the ecosystem function of nutrient cycling:
Through decomposition, nutrients are put back into the soil.
Plants take up these nutrients as food. These plants may go on to be eaten by consumers.
When plants or consumers die, the nutrients are returned to the soil.
Food Chains
Show what eat whats in a biological society
Food Webs
Shows how several food chains overlap with each other
Adaptions of acacia
-Long roots to reach groundwater
-Fire resistant trunk
-Small leaves to reduce water loss
-Poisoness alkaloid in trunk that stops animals eating
Adaptions of Boabab tree
-Thick bark to prevent water loss
-Leaves only grow in wet season to prevent water loss via transpiration
-Ability to regenerate quickly
Adaptions of Grass in hot semi arid ecosystem
-Grow fast to meter high in wet season
-Dies in dry season to limit water loss
-Stores water and nutrients
Adaptions of Eucalyptus
-Leaves hang to reduce transpiration
-Lose leaves in dry season
-Fire triggers release of seeds to encourage growth
Example of small scale ecosystem
SAND DUNES
Newer sand dunes are called
Embryo dunes
Older sand dunes are called
Mature dunes
How are sand dunes formed
-Wind blows desposited sand to the back of the beach leading to hills of sand
-Hills of sand allow vegetation to grow
-So more sand gets trapped and builds up the dunes
Why are sand dunes a good defence
-Good for tourisum
-Protection from erosion and flooding
Limitations of dune defences
-invasive species need to be mechanically removed
-Walkways create gaps in defences where water can flood
Ways of maintaining dunes
-Re-route paths
-Fences to trap sand (using invasive species)
-Board walks to stop trampling and erosion
