Environmental Studies Flashcards
Environmental Studies
Interactions between living and non living on earth
Ecology
Study of relationships between living organisms and environment in which they live in
Biosphere
Sustains all life on earth
Atmosphere (air)
Gasses Rainfall Humidity Sunlight Temp
Lithosphere (soil)
Nutrients Water content pH Texture Composition Temperature Gradient / slope
Hydrosphere (water)
Nutrients Salinity pH Oxygen content Water temp Light penetration
Most important gasses required to sustain life
Co2: photosynthesis [0.03%]
O2:respiration [21%]
N2:manufacture of proteins [78%]
Water vapour:phase in water cycle - no life without water
Explain the lithosphere
Top layer soil and rocks earth crust make up lithosphere
Top layer - weathered rock,stones,decaying vegetation that can support life
Soil-nutrients for plant growth + habitats for animals living below soil
Explain the hydrosphere
Oceans , streams , lakes and pond makes up hydrosphere
Covers 70% of earths surface
Habitat to many plants and animals
97% of water on earth in ocean
remaining 3% = glaciers , ice caps , groundwater , lakes , soil + within body of organisms
Biome
Distinct geographical region w a characteristic climate and vegetation + includes animals suited to that area
Ecosystem
Defined part of biome abiotic and biotic depend on each other and interact closely
Community
Populations of plant and animal living in ecosystem that interact
Name the 7 South African terrestrial biomes
Savannah Nama-Karoo Desert Grassland Forest Fynbos Succulent Karoo
