habitat conservation Flashcards
name the features of a temperate forest
-seasonal changes
-relativly mild climate
-no major extreme temperatures
-no pronounced dry season - water available all year
- soils = deep+ fertile ( trees die= dead organic matter = fertile, + trees = route binding)
- canopy layer is present spring to Autumn -> growth of plants under canopy = more difficult as a shaded, many plants overcome this by growing in the spring before trees grow leaves eg.British bluebells
- lack of available food in winter = animals = less active, hibernate or migrate
what is the importance of temperate forests
-high biodiversity -> higher ecological stability ( One change of species = relatively small impact)
-Woodlands resources:
eg. wood used for: construction, fencing, tools, fuel etc..
+also provides food resources from animals+ plants found there eg. deer, fruits, nuts, boar, herbs etc..
-carbon sequestration ( through photosynthesis)
- the hydrological cycle -> interception, transpiration, water in soil etc..
-reducces soil erosion
what are some threats to temperate forests
- woodland clearance -> woodland cleared for other land uses eg. Farmland, plantations, urban development, transportation, infrastructure, mineral extraction etc..
- habitat fragmentation -> woodland clearance may leave remaining areas isolated from each other
^ if animals cannot move between them, the separate populations may become more vulnerable to extinction
-plantations for monoculture and non-native trees
what are some ways to conserve temperate forests
historical management:
- no interference eg. hunting forests ( Wildwood areas)
- mature ‘standard’ trees eg. Oak for houses, furniture etc..
- coppiced Woodlands eg. Oak for charcoal, Hazel for fencing etc..
- pollarding ( similar to coppicing but cuts at a higher height to reduce the problem of animals eating regrowing branches)
modern methods:
- monoculture plantations of single age trees with low wildlife value
- new woodland areas with field margins
- community forests planting for recreational and amenity use
conservation management:
- coppicing to create wildlife habitats
- creation of woodland clearing to increase habitat diversity
- planting of mixed species Woodlands to increase biodiversity
-traditional harvesting practices eg. coppicing/pollarding
-disignated protected areas eg. SSSIs
-afforestation and creation of biological corridors
-removal of invasive species eg. rhododendrons
why is coppicing beneficial for species diversity
allows high species diversity
-prevents succession/ maintains plagioclimax
- different species= supported at different stages of the Coppice
no coppicing= greater uniformity= less diversity
+ change in abiotic factors eg. light levels
most competitive species dominate+ out compete other species eg. buy shading, deeper roots etc..
name some features of a tropical rainforest
- average daily temp 28 degrees + 2000mm rainfall /yr = hot and humid climate - high water availability
- stable conditions, no Seasons, consistent climate all year round
+ high light levels - thin layer of nutrients at top of soil ( nutrient cycle)
- rich in iron+ very fertile
= perfect conditions for plant growth
what are some of the importances of tropical rainforest
- wide range of Species- very biodiverse eg. mountain gorillas, sloths etc..
= lots of potential beneficial characteristics eg. disease resistant - carbon sequestration ( through photosynthesis)
- hydrological cycle ->transports water to where there are no seas or oceans, reduces desertification
+ nutrient cycle ( recycling of nutrients) - reduces local wind speed
- roots bind in soil = prevention of erosion and surface runoff
- many potential medicines
- resources eg. tropical timber
- food sources
- aesthetic Beauty
- ecotourism
- ecological stability eg. food chains
name some threats of tropical rainforests
- logging for timber
- space for agriculture eg. plantations
- population growth ( urbanisation, Road building etc..)
- commercial ( big) + subsidence farming (slash+burn)
- mining eg. gold copper iron
- dams
-DEFOreSTATION
-clearence for land use eg. agriculture, mining, urban development
-climate change = reducing humidity/ increaseing forest fires
-furlwood collection and unsustainable timber harvesting
name some impacts of the deforestation of tropical rainforests
- soil erosion+ more surface runoff
- desertification ( local water cycle break
- flooding ( interception of trees = gone)
- habitat loss = biodiversity decrease
- increased greenhouse gases ( no trees to store, absorb and convert CO2
name some ways to conserve tropical rainforest
- debt for nature -> paying another country’s debt in exchange for funding in conservation activities
- education
- ecotourism
-protected reserves and national parks
-international aggreements eg. COP26 commiting to halt deforestation
name some features of tropical coral reefs
- high light levels of sunlight
- shallow water ( deeper = lower light levels)
- Clear water/ low turbidity
- consistent correct salinity ->too salty kills corals
- pH = not acidic
-warm (NOT HOT) water -> 25-29 degrees
-hard surface/ substrate to grow on (eg. rock not sand)
why is high levels of sunlight, shallow,clear water necessary for tropical coral reefs
for photosynthesis!!!
why must the water of a tropical coral reef be not an acidic pH and be warm
to hot or acidic = algae dies = coral bleaching
why are tropical coral reefs important
-opportunities for Recreation, employment, tourism ( economic benefit) etc..
- medicines ( treatments for cancers, infections, heart disease etc..) , foods + future resources
- coastal protection -> buffer for waves, storms, floods, erosion etc..
- asthetic/ beauty
- breeding grounds
- high biodiversity -> 1 million+ species live there
- helps with pollution ( coral+ sponges filter pollutants not dissolved in water)
-CO2 absorption ( coral= exoskeleton made of calcium carbonate, absorb CO2+ help climate change)
name some threats of tropical coral reefs
-oceans warming
- sea levels Rising
- alterd currents
-more storms
- more rain
- pH decreasing/ Ocean acidification
- increased runoff from rivers
