Living world case studies

Question 1

What are the abiotic factors in a pond ?

Answer 1

• Light
• Water
• Oxygen

Question 2

What are the biotic factors in a pond?

Answer 2

• Producers
• Consumers
• Micro-organisms
• Decomposers

Question 2

What is a producer in the pond ?

Answer 2

Algae and microscopic plants

Question 3

What are primary consumers in the pond ?

Answer 3

Midge larvae eat algae

Question 4

What are the secondary consumers in a pond ?

Answer 4

Fish eat midge larvae

Question 5

What are decomposes in the pond ?

Answer 5

Bacteria, worms & maggots

Question 6

What is the food chain in the pond ?

Answer 6

Algae -> midge larvae –> small fish –> carnivorous fish —> Heron

Question 7

What are the economic impacts of deforestation ?

Answer 7

• Short-term profit
  Logging, farming, and mining create jobs and bring money to the economy.
• Long-term losses
  Once the forest is gone, the land can become useless (especially if it’s degraded).

Question 7

What are the causes of deforestation ?

Answer 7

Farming - Clearing land for cattle or to plant crop
Logging - Using wood to make things
Road building- Roads need to be built to access places so they have to cut trees
Population growth & settlement -More people means more living space

Question 7

Where is the amazon rain forest located ?

Answer 7

It is located in South America (mainly in Brazil but also in Peru, Colombia & more)
- 5.5 million square meters-largest in the world

Question 8

What are the impacts of deforestation on the environment ?

Answer 8

• Decreased biodiversity- Many animal & plant species are lost
• Climate change - More CO2 is being released into the atmosphere
• Disruption of water levels- Less evapotranspiration means less rainfall, which can cause droughts.
• Soil erosion and degradation
  Tree roots help bind the soil. Without them, rain washes the topsoil away.
  This reduces soil fertility and leads to desertification in some areas.

Question 9

What are the social impacts of deforestation ?

Answer 9

• Impact on indigenous people
  Traditional tribes lose their homes, land, and way of life.
• Health issues
  Smoke from forest fires causes air pollution, leading to breathing problems.

Question 10

Where is the Thar desert located ?

Answer 10

India - in the state of Rajasthan
Near Jaisalmer

Question 11

What are challenges in the Thar desert ?

Answer 11

• Extreme temperatures - 50 degrees in day, very low at night, hard working conditions
• Water shortages - Very little water falls (less than 250mm /year)
• Inaccessibility - Poor roads & transport links
• Soil erosion - desertification

Question 11

What are opportunities for development in the Thar desert ?

Answer 11

• Mineral extraction
• Tourism
• Energy production (wind & solar)
• Farming (wheat & cotton )