Living world

Question 1

Ecosystem

Answer 1

A community in which all living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) things work together,

Question 2

Biome

Answer 2

A global scale ecosystem (e.g. Rainforests, Tundra and Deciduous forests)

Question 3

Nutrient cycle

Answer 3

The continuous cycling of nutrients within an ecosystem. Often assisted by decomposers such as bacteria or earthworms, without this process there would be no soil nutrients available.

Question 4

Decomposition

Answer 4

A part of the nutrient cycle where dead organic material is broken down into nutrients which are added to the soil ready to be reused.

Question 5

Food web

Answer 5

A layout of all species in an ecosystem showing how they are connected through consumption. Each arrow shows the direction of energy flow.

Question 6

Food Chain

Answer 6

A sequence of what eats what. The arrows show the flow of energy through the chain.

Question 7

Producer

Answer 7

An organism which gets energy from the sun (plants). They are at the bottom of the foot chain.

Question 8

Primary consumer

Answer 8

An animal which only eats producers (A Herbivore)

Question 9

Secondary consumer

Answer 9

An animal which each primary consumers. By eating other animals they are carnivores (or omnivores if they also eat plants)

Question 10

Tertiary consumer

Answer 10

An animal which eats the secondary consumers, these are the top predators in an ecosystem. By eating other animals they are carnivores (or omnivores if they also eat plants)

Question 11

Tropical Rainforest

Answer 11

A biome found between the equator and the tropics. Characterised by heavy rainfall (over 2000mm annually) and consistently high temperatures of around 28 degrees all year.

Question 12

Tundra

Answer 12

A biome found in high latitude (polar) areas and around the coasts of Antarctica and Greenland. Generally cold, but with a summer ‘melt season’ which allows for limited plant growth.

Question 13

Permafrost

Answer 13

Soil which is frozen for at least two consecutive years. The top may melt in the summer, this is known as the active layer.

Question 14

Musk Oxen

Answer 14

An animal adapted to the Tundra by having this fur and short legs to retain as much heat as possible.

Question 15

Bearberry Bush

Answer 15

A plant adapted to the Tundra by growing low to the ground to avoid strong winds, having bright coloured berries to attract birds to spread seeds, waxy leaves which are resistant to the cold and weight of snow on top of them.

Question 16

Arctic Hare

Answer 16

An animal adapted to the Tundra. It is white in winter to blend in but becomes brown in spring as the snow melts. It also has shorter than normal ears to retain heat.

Question 17

Buttress roots

Answer 17

An adaptation of tall rainforest trees. These triangular shaped root systems ensure that the tree is stable despite its height.

Question 18

Lianas

Answer 18

Vine like plants which grow up other plants in the rainforest. This means they reach the sunlight quickly and without needing to grow strong enough to support themselves.

Question 18

Emergent layer

Answer 18

The tallest layer of plants in the rainforest. They grow so tall in search of light.

Question 18

Canopy layer

Answer 18

Dense vegetation layer in the rainforest which blocks out most light. The second tallest layer, this is where trees aspire to reach.

Question 18

Understory (under-canopy)

Answer 18

Sits below the main canopy, largely made up of younger trees which are trying to reach the canopy or emergent layer.

Question 19

Forrest floor (shrub layer)

Answer 19

Lowest level within the rainforest structure. Plants here often have large leaves to try and capture the limited available light.

Question 20

Afforestation

Answer 20

The process of planting trees to counteract the impacts of deforestation.

Question 21

Selective logging

Answer 21

Rainforest management method where only some trees are removed based on key characteristics.

Question 22

Eco-tourism

Answer 22

Rainforest management method where people pay to visit the forest and conduct rainforest management (e.g. wildlife rescue/conservation) whilst they are there.

Question 23

Conservation swaps

Answer 23

An agreement between a country with debts and rainforest and the nations they owe money to which means the debt is cancelled provided a certain area of rainforest is protected.

Question 24

Education (for forest management)

Answer 24

Ensures that people are aware of the risks associated with deforestation and therefore encourages them to avoid it.

Question 25

Wilderness

Answer 25

An area untouched by humans (e.g. Antarctica)

Question 26

Cattle Ranching

Answer 26

Largest cause of deforestation. Responsible for around 70% of all rainforest loss.

Question 27

Government agreements

Answer 27

Way of stopping the destruction of cold environments through climate change. These work by imposing targets on nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.