Living World: Ecosystems

Question 0

What is an organism?

Answer 0

Producer, consumer and decomposer

Question 1

What is an ecosystem?

Answer 1

An ecosystem is all the living and non living parts in an area.

Question 2

What is the nutrient cycle?

Answer 2

This is where dead matter is decomposed and the nutrients is released into the soil. This is then taken up by plants. They may be eaten my consumers and when they die its returned back to the soil.

Question 3

What are the three types of ecosystem?

Answer 3

• Tropical rainforest (Amazon)
• Hot desert (Australia)
• Temperate deciduous forest (Epping Forrest)

Question 4

What factors determines what type of Eco system is formed?

Answer 4

Climate.

Question 5

Where on a map are tropical rainforest a found?

Answer 5

At the equator.

Question 6

Where are hot deserts found and why?

Answer 6

They are found between 15-30 degrees north and south of the equator as there is less rainfall.

Question 7

Where are temperate deciduous forests found and why?

Answer 7

Between 40-60 degrees north and south of the equator. This is because there are four distinct seasons.

Question 8

What is the soil like in a tropical rainforest?

Answer 8

The soil isn’t very fertile as the heavy take washes away the nutrients. The top nutrient layer is very thin.

Question 9

What are the 4 layers in the rainforest?

Answer 9

• Shrub layer
• Under Canopy
• Canopy
• Emergents

Question 10

How high are the trees in the canopy layer?

Answer 10

30m

Question 11

In comparison to the canopy layer, how tall are the under canopy layer?

Answer 11

Half as tall

Question 12

How tall are the emergent trees?

Answer 12

40m

Question 13

How tall is the shrub layer?

Answer 13

10m

Question 14

How are the leaves adapted for heavy rainfall?

Answer 14

• Thick waxy leaves

- Pointed tips (drip tip)

Question 15

How are the roots in the rainforest adapted?

Answer 15

Tall trees have buttress roots to support their trunks in shallow soil.

Question 16

What is the name of the climbing plants in the rainforest?

Answer 16

Lianas. They use tree trunks to climb up to the light.

Question 17

Why are the trees deciduous? (Drop leaves in drier periods)

Answer 17

To reduce water loss.

Question 18

What three things are temperate deciduous forests used for?

Answer 18

• Timber (wood is then sold)
• Timber products (fencing)
• Recreation (walking and cycling)

Question 19

Give three sustainable managements strategies to conserve deciduous rainforests for the future.

Answer 19

• Controlling felling
• Replanting
• Planning for recreational use

Question 20

What is felling?

Answer 20

Felling is clearing trees in an area.

Question 21

What is the deciduous forest case study?

Answer 21

New forest in Hampshire.

Question 22

How much area does the New forest cover?

Answer 22

375km

Question 23

What is the New Forest used for?

Answer 23

• Timber
• Timber products
• Farming
• Recreation

Question 24

What much timber does the New Forest produce each year?

Answer 24

50,000 tons.

Question 25

What do local mills to the New Forest make with the timber?

Answer 25

Fencing products.

Question 26

How is the New Forest managed?

Answer 26

- Areas cleared of trees are replanted or restored to habitats - Walkers and cyclists are encouraged to stick to cycle paths - Dogs aren't allowed near wildlife breeding sites

Question 27

What are the 5 main causes of deforestation?

Answer 27

- Farming - Commercial logging - Mineral extraction - Road building - Population pressure

Question 28

What is commercial logging?

Answer 28

Trees are felled to make money.

Question 29

What is subsistence farming?

Answer 29

Farming for yourself only.

Question 30

What political pressures are there towards deforestation?

Answer 30

Foreign governments pressure to stop deforestation.

Question 31

What 2 economic impacts does deforestation have?

Answer 31

- Logging and farming create jobs | - A lot of money is made from selling timber, mining and commercial farming.

Question 32

What environmental impacts are there in the tropical rainforest due to deforestation?

Answer 32

- Fewer trees... Fewer habitats and food sources. - Reduction in biodiversity, organisms may move or die - Soil erosion as trees aren't holding soil together - Soil kills fish as it is washed into the rivers and makes the water undrinkable - No trees means no leaf fall which means no nutrient supplied to the soil which makes it less fertile - Less canopy layer means more water hits the ground which increases the risk of flooding - Less photosynthesis

Question 33

What is the case study for deforestation of tropical rainforests?

Answer 33

The Amazon

Question 34

Since 1960 how many square kilometres have been destroyed?

Answer 34

600,000km2

Question 35

What percent of the Amazon was removed for cattle ranching?

Answer 35

60%