geo Climate Flashcards
What is a biome?
A large region of the world characterised by its environment and climate characteristics.
Define ecosystem.
The interactions between the biotic and abiotic aspects of an environment.
What is a habitat?
Where the population of a specific organism lives.
What does deciduous mean?
Trees which lose their leaves in the Autumn.
What is meant by tree line?
The transition of where trees can and can’t grow, or from one type of tree to another.
Define crop yields.
The amount of farm produce per unit of land.
What is desertification?
The process of land turning into desert as the quality of the soil declines over time.
What are limits of cultivation?
The extent of an area which can be successfully farmed.
Which biome is under the most threat?
Tundra and alpine, which will be replaced with Temperate mixed forests.
Which other biomes are under threat?
- Tundra and alpine
- Temperate grassland
Which biomes are set to expand?
- Tropical woodland
- Temperate shrubland
- Temperate broad-leaf forest
Why do we see both latitudinal shifts and elevation shifts?
Due to temperature change, with higher temperatures near the equator and decreasing temperatures at higher altitudes.
What causes habitat loss?
Increase in gasses like CO2 and methane, leading to rising global temperatures, melting glaciers, and rising sea levels.
What is the impact of warmer seas on marine ecosystems?
Increased acidity of water, weakening of shells, and mass coral bleaching.
What happens during seasonal shifts?
Disruption of natural cycles that animals follow for migration and reproduction, leading to decreased species survival.
What are the consequences of invasive species due to climate change?
Competition for food, shelter, and space between native species and invasive species.
Which species are at risk of extinction due to climate change?
Species with restricted habitats, such as polar bears and arctic foxes.
What is the impact of climate change on the tree line?
Habitats of animals are decreasing.
Why is the Arctic significant for studying climate change?
The climate is warming two to three times faster than the global average.
What will happen to tundra forests due to climate change?
They will be diminished, leading to potential extinction of animals in that area.
How does melting ice affect polar bears?
They need sea ice to hunt, and melting ice forces them to search for food in villages.
What patterns in crop yields are observed from the map?
Negative effects closer to the equator and positive impacts further away, with mountain regions benefiting.
What is the overall predicted trend in crop yields until 2050?
Reduction in yield of corn, wheat, rice, and potato cultivation.
What is soil?
Formed from rocks that have been decomposed slowly by the sun, wind, and rain.
