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Geography > Living World > Flashcards

Living World Flashcards

1
Q

Define ecosystem

A

A community of plants and animals that interact with each other in their physical environment

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2
Q

Define biotic

A

Relations to living things

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3
Q

Define abiotic

A

Relating to non-living things

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4
Q

Define producer

A

An organism or plant that absorbs energy through the sun

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5
Q

Define consumer

A

A creature that eats herbivores and or plant matter

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6
Q

Define Decomposer

A

An organism, such as bacteria or fungus, that breaks down dead tissue which is then recycled to the environment

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7
Q

What are some factors that would impact a fresh water pond?

A

-climate change (heating or cooling)
-increased number of heron
-people
-disease impacting trees

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8
Q

How can frost affect trees?

A

Frost could freeze the wood of the trees, this creates energy loss as the wood being frozen means it can’t produce energy

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9
Q

What are characteristics of a temperate grassland?

A

Location:
30-40 degrees north and south of the equator
Seasonal climate
Climate:
Hot summers
Cold winters

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10
Q

What are characteristics of a temperate/deciduous forest?

A

50-60 degrees is l north of equator
England,wales
Climate:
Four seasons
Cold winters and hot,wet summers

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11
Q

What are characteristics of a tundra region?

A

Location:
From the arctic circle to about 60-70
degrees north
Siberia,Russia
Climate:
little rainfall
Tundra environments are very cold with very little precipitation,which mainly falls as snow
Temperatures remain below 0
Layer of permanent frozen ground known as permafrost

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12
Q

What are characteristics of a Taiga/Boreal forest?

A

Location:
Roughly 50-60 degrees north of the equator
Climate:
They have four seasons
Cold winters and hot,wet summers
Trees are coniferous

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13
Q

What are characteristics of a tropical rainforest?

A

Location:
Close to equator
Brazil,peru
Climate:
High temperatures
Heavy rainfall
Hot and wet all year round

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14
Q

What are characteristics of a savanna?

A

Location:
Between 15-30 degrees North and south of the Equator (between the tropics)
South Africa
Dry and wet seasons rainfall is still relatively low
Climate:
Warm temperatures
20-30 degrees wet and dry seasons

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15
Q

What are characteristics of a desert?

A

Location:
30 degrees north or south from the equator
Algeria, Egypt
Climate:
Dry climate, less than 250ml of precipitation per year

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16
Q

Buttress roots

A

Rainforest soils are very thin and therefore shallow roots are needed to soak up nutrients in these thin soils.
Since trees in the rainforest grow very tall-many over 30m tall in the canopy layer- very wide roots form to give these tall trees extra stability in the shallow soils.

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17
Q

Stilt roots

A

In a similar way to buttress roots, these provide tall rainforest trees with support as they are anchored in the shallow rainforest soils.

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18
Q

Red leaves

A

Young rainforest plant saplings may have these to give them protection from the sunlight whilst their internal organs for photosynthesis are still developing. They act as a sunscreen by reflecting red light whilst the leaf is still young.

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19
Q

Lianas

A

These plants have their roots in the ground and use other trees to climb up into the rainforest canopy to maximise the sunlight they receive. Many start life in the canopy before sending roots down to the ground.

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20
Q

Leaf angling

A

Leaves are often arranged at different angles so that a plant avoids shading it’s own leaves- important in rainforests where competition for log by is intense.

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21
Q

Drip tips

A

Leaves are often have a waxy surface with pointed tops at the end to enable excess rainwater to run-off easily. This is important because it prevents the growth of algae, which if able to grow would block out sunlight and reduce a plants ability to photosynthesise.

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22
Q

Epiphytes

A

These plants live on the surface of other plants, mostly tree trunks and branches. This allows them to make the most of the sunlight in the canopy layer.

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23
Q

Thin bark

A

Rainforest trees don’t need thick bark to prevent moisture like those in temperate deciduous forests - there is always plenty of rain and this moisture is available. Therefore bark is often thin and smooth - the smoothness may also make it more difficult for other plants to grow on tree surfaces

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24
Q

High pressure down

A

Air sinks

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25
Q

High pressure up

A

Air rises

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26
Q

the global pattern of the tundra ecosystem

A

The global pattern of tundra ecosystems is that it’s from the arctic circle to 60-70 degrees north of it thus why temperatures in these biomes. Are typically below freezing. Tundra ecosystems also are biomes with high pressure, air sinks so there is less rainfall.

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27
Q

Pond food chain

A

Sun-pondweed-water insects- fish -heroine

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28
Q

Evapotranspiration

A

Heavy daily conventional rain - trees intercept rain - some rain reaches the ground - trees take up water - water evapotranspirates- heavy daily con…

(Loops)

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29
Q

Litter

A

Decomposes very quickly

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30
Q

Soil

A

Lots of litter decomposes into it

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31
Q

Emergent layer

A

-Top layer-
Trees can grow to around 35 - 65 metres
Examples of animals: Harpy eagle, scarlet macaw
Examples of trees: Jungle

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32
Q

Canopy

A

Second layer
Trees can grow from around 10-30 metres
Examples of animals:
Sloths,Orangutans,Toucans
Examples of trees:

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33
Q

Understory

A

Third layer
Most trees grow to around 14m
Examples of animals: Snakes,Jaguars
Examples of trees: palm trees

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34
Q

Forest floor

A

Bottom layer
Examples of animals: wild pigs, insects
Examples of trees: there are large leafed shrubs and saplings

35
Q

What’s the temperature like in deserts?

A

Temperatures are extreme because of the lack of cloud cover - it can reach 45 degrees then drop below 0 at night

36
Q

How much rainfall is there in deserts?

A

Less than 250 mm per year

37
Q

How has the poison dart frog adapted for the tropical rainforest?

A

Poison dart frogs have toxins in their skin to kill predators- large biodiversity = many predators

Poison dart frogs have green skin- to camouflage

38
Q

How has the spider monkey adapted for the tropical rainforest?

A

Long, strong limbs
Long tail

They use their strong limbs and long tail to swing from many trees to get around easier

39
Q

How have piranhas adapted for the tropical rainforest?

A

Piranhas have sharp teeth and travel in schools - eat/ hunt prey

40
Q

How have sloths adapted to the tropical rainforest?

A

Sloths have brown fur as camouflage and live in high trees- hide from predators

41
Q

How have giant ant eaters adapted to the tropical rainforest?

A

Giant anteaters have Long,spiky tongues and sling claws, to eat pret

42
Q

Where is the Amazon rainforest?

A

The Amazon rainforest is located in South America, in Brazil

43
Q

What is leeching?

A

The removal of soluble nutrients

44
Q

What is rapid decomposition?

A

Fast decomposition caused by a large biomass.

45
Q

What is deforestation?

A

Deforestation is the cutting down of trees

46
Q

What is commercial farming?

A

Large scale farming for profit

47
Q

What is subsistence farming?

A

Farming on a small scale to produce enough food for the farmer and their family.

48
Q

What does the tropical rainforest do for us?

A

Produces a 1/5 of the air we breathe
Contains 20% of the worlds fresh water

49
Q

What is the trans Amazonian highway?

A

A highway build on an area of deforestation that runs for 3200 kilometres.

50
Q

Amazon rainforest statistic on forest fires:

A

-In august 2019, over 30,000 fires were burning in the Amazon

51
Q

Fact about rainforest deforestation in the last 50 years:

A

In the last 50 years, 70% of the Amazon has been deforested

52
Q

How is soil being impacted?

A

Evidence:
Cultivated land loses 90 tonnes of soil per hectare (a hectare = 10,000m^2)

Explanation:
Fast water and run off causes flooding and Erosion.
Dust storms form and dry the soil

Evaluation:
Soil is being compromised due to agriculture,this will impact farmers negatively. But positively impact the economy

53
Q

How is climate change impacted?

A

Evidence:
20% of the Amazon has been cut down for agriculture
The captured carbon in the rainforest accounts for all of the carbon emitted on earth since 2009

Explanation:
Green house gases are released from the trees when they’re cut down so more solar radiation is being trapped causing the earth to get hotter.

Evaluation:
Deforestation has a large negative impact on climate change however positively impacts brazils economy

54
Q

How is loss of biodiversity impacted?

A

Evidence:
A tenth of the worlds species are thought to live in the Amazonia.
10% of the Amazon rainforest has been set on fire.

Explanation:
Many animals have died due to deforestation such as Orang-utans.

Evaluation:
Deforestation is having a negative impact on animals in the rainforest.

55
Q

Economic positives deforestation: (I)

A

Evidence:
In 2018, experts appealed 6.7 billion for the countries economy from beef

Explanation:
The production/export of beef from Brazil has earns them the title of the world largest beef exporter which greatly benefits the economy

Evaluation:
Exporting beef will positively impact the economy

56
Q

Economic positives deforestation: (II)

A

Evidence:
$8.2 billion a year from now inner and timber

Explanation:
Deforestation allows for profitable resources

Evaluation:
Exporting rubber and timber will positively impact the economy and make lots of money.

57
Q

Economic positives deforestation: (III)

A

Evidence:
204,000 jobs with 66,000 direct jobs produced

Explanation:
Deforestation creates jobs for people helping them to make a living

Evaluation:
Deforestation is having a positive impact on the economy and providing more jobs

58
Q

What is found at the pond margin of a pond ecosystem?

A

There is plenty of oxygen and light here. Plenty of shelter for the plants and insects, for small animals to eat here.

59
Q

What is found at the pond surface of a pond ecosystem?

A

Plenty of oxygen and light is here. Animals breathe through their gills,lungs or skin here.

60
Q

What is found above the pond surface of a pond ecosystem?

A

Birds and animals breathe oxygen. Food is found in or on the water, or in the margins.

61
Q

What is found on the pond surface of a pond ecosystem?

A

There is little oxygen or light here. There is plenty of shelter (rotting plants and stones) and food. Decomposes and scavengers live here.

62
Q

What is found mid-water of a pond ecosystem?

A

Animals breathe through gills or skin. Fish are the main predators. Food is found on the surface or in the pond.

63
Q

What is the nutrient cycle-model answer:

A

The nutrient cycle is the flow of nutrients between 3 stores in an ecosystem;the litter,soil and biomass. The biomass (abiotic features in the ecosystem) passes nutrients to the soil when it dies. Decomposes break down the nutrients in the litter and this gets passed into the soil. Through plant uptake, the biomass uses the nutrients for growth.

64
Q

Strategy: selective logging:

A

Positives:
-Helps maintain ecosystems of forest
-virtually no differences
-canopy is protected
-more valuable trees

Negatives:
-takes time to select trees
-less money is made

65
Q

Strategy: international agreements:

A

Positives:
-ensures sensitive rainforests are preserved
-sustainable wood
-rights of indigenous people
-countries must sign agreement

Negatives:
-less profit
-maintaining constantly
-doesn’t have a global impact

66
Q

Strategy:debt reduction:

A

Positives:
-protects atmosphere and hydrosphere
-incentive to conserve forest
-countries protect trees in order to pay off debt
Negatives:
-People may exploit
-expensive for government

67
Q

Strategy: eco tourism:

A

Positives:
-conserves environment and local economy
-promotes value of protection
-built from local resources (smart wood label)
-encourages tropical rainforest stewardship

Negatives:
-disrupts ecosystems
-environmental benefits outweighed by travel there

68
Q

What is depression

A

Low atmospheric pressure:
Areas of depression usually have chaneable weather

69
Q

What are anticyclones?

A

They are high pressure
-spin around in a clockwise direction
-cause different weather in winter and summer

70
Q

What is a desert?

A

An area that has less than 250mm of rainfall per year

71
Q

What are xerophytes?

A

Plants that have adapted to living in dry, hot desert environments.

72
Q

What are succulents?

A

Plants that have some parts that are more than normally thickened and fleshy, usually to retain water.

73
Q

What does the word arid mean?

A

Evaporation exceeds precipitated (it is dry)

74
Q

Describe deserts:

A

30 degrees north and south of the equator, dry continental interiors, mostly away from coasts

75
Q

Describe the air pressure in deserts:

A

The air pressure is high as the air is sinking so there are no clouds causing sun rays to be concentrated causing high temperatures at day. At night it’s very cold as there are no clouds to trap heat.

76
Q

How do mountains cause desertification?

A

Rain shadow means that mountains block areas from receiving moisture.

77
Q

What’s the soil in deserts like?

A

Desert soils are thin, sandy, rocky and generally grey in colour. Desert soils are very dry. When it does rain they soak up the water very quickly. The surface of the soil may appear crusty. This is due to the lack of rainfall. As it is so hot, water is drawn up to the surface of the soil by evaporation. As the water evaporates, salts are left behind on the surface of the soil.

78
Q

What are the adaptations of the jerboa for the desert climate?

A

-Jerboas have long ears to cook them down
-jerboas have long feet to move in the soil
-Jerboas have tails for balance on the sand

79
Q

What are the adaptations of the camel for the desert climate?

A

-camels have long eyelashes
-camels have rubber lips to eat prickly things
-camels have humps used to store fat
-camels have pods on their feet so they do not sink into the sand

80
Q

What are the adaptations of the cactus for the desert climate?

A

-Cacti have spikes instead of leaves so animals don’t eat it
-cacti have thick waxy skin to seal moisture
-cacti have a fleshy stem to store water

81
Q

What is zonation?

A

The change in species over space

82
Q

Human factors

A

How humans affect an ecosystem

83
Q

Biotic factors

A

-competition, interaction with other plants and animals

84
Q

Abiotic factors

A

-sunlight
-wind speed
-inundation
-soil pH
-soil fertility and humus

Geography (9 decks)

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