Living World - Ecosystems and Tropical Rainforests

Question 1

Define ‘ecosystem’

Answer 1

A natural system made up of plants and animals (biotic) that interact with non-living organisms such as soil, air and water (abiotic)

Question 2

What is a producer?

Answer 2

An organism that uses the sun to produce energy. e.g. green plants

Question 3

What is a consumer?

Answer 3

An organism that gets its energy by eating another organism i.e. it eats other producers or consumers.

Question 4

What is a decomposer?

Answer 4

An organism that gets its energy from breaking down dead material (dead plants and animals). An example of a decomposer is bacteria and fungi

Question 5

What is a food chain?

Answer 5

A food chain shows what eats what in an ecosystem.

Question 6

What is a food web?

Answer 6

A food web is a series of food chains within an ecosystem and how they overlap. It shows the interconnections between producers and consumers in an ecosystem.

Question 7

Describe a nutrient cycle in simple terms

Answer 7

• When plants and animals die, they decompose into the soil.
• They add nutrients back to the soil
• These nutrients are then taken back up by plants
• These plants may be eaten by consumers, therefore the nutrients are received by the consumer
• The consumer eventually dies and nutrients are added back to the soil.
• The cycle repeats

Question 8

Name some changes that can impact an ecosystem

Answer 8

1. Extreme weather - e.g. droughts
2. Trimming hedgerows
3. Draining ponds
4. Deforestation
5. Fertilizers used in farming

Question 9

What is eutrophication and what causes it?

Answer 9

The use of fertilizers on farms leads to eutrophication.

1. Nutrients from fertilizers end up in water systems
2. Plants grow quickly because of the nutrients
3. Algae grows quickly, using up oxygen in water
4. Plants and animals in water then die due to lack of oxygen
5. Decomposing animals use further oxygen
6. Eventually no life possible

Question 10

Give an example of how one change can impact an ecosystem

Answer 10

• Higher temperatures and less rain = less plants grow = less food for consumers = consumer numbers fall
• Vegetation removed = less habitats for animals = alters animal/vegetation balance in ecosystem
• Deforestation = destorys birds habitats and alters nutrient cycle

Question 11

Describe the characteristics of the tundra?

(location, climate, plants, animals?)

Answer 11

• Location - high latitudes ~60°N
• Cold temperatures
• Little rainfall
• Limited vegetation
• Lots of permafrost

Question 12

What determines the ecosystem found in a place?

Answer 12

Climate

Climate is influenced by: latitude, air pressure (high or low pressure) and winds.

Question 13

Name the 8 main global ecosystems

Answer 13

1. Hot desert
2. Tropical rainforest
3. Polar
4. Tundra
5. Temperature deciduous forest
6. Tropical grassland (savanna)
7. Temperate grassland
8. Coniferous forest (taiga)

Question 14

Describe the characteristics of tropical rainforests?

(location, climate, plants, animals?)

Answer 14

• Found around equator
• Hot temperatures (around 28°-30°c)
• Wet all year around (average 2,000mm per year)
• Lots of vegetation
• Variety of animals

Question 15

Describe the characteristics of hot deserts?

(location, climate, plants, animals?)

Answer 15

• Location: 15° and 35° north and south of the equator
• Very hot
• Very dry
• Sandy soil.
• Some cacti

Question 16

Describe the characteristics of deciduous forests?

(location, climate, plants, animals?)

Answer 16

*This the biome of the UK*

• Location; ~40°-50° north of equator
• Warm summers, cold winters
• Leaves fall off during winter to retain moisture
• Variety of woodland animals

Question 17

Describe the characteristics of coniferous forests (taiga)?

(location, climate, plants, animals?)

Answer 17

• Location:~50°-60° north of equator
• Cool temperatures
• High rainfall
• Animals: Moose, reindeer, shrews
• Plants: evergreen trees

Question 18

Describe the characteristics of tropical grassland (savanna)?

(location, climate, plants, animals?)

Answer 18

• Location: 15°-30° north and south of equator
• Wet and dry seasons
• Temperature: 20-30°c
• Animals: lions, elephants

Question 19

Describe the characteristics of tundra?

(location, climate, plants, animals?)

Answer 19

• Location: 60°-70° north equator (lack of land in southern hemisphere for tundra to be here)
• Cold (Max 10°c, min -50°c)
• Dry (less than 380mm pear year)
• Limited vegetation
• Animals: caribou

Question 20

Where are tropical rainforests located?

Answer 20

Generally around the equator - South America, South East Asia, Central Africa.

Question 21

Describe the climate in the tropical rainforest

Answer 21

• Constantly high temperatures throughout the year (28-30°c)
• High levels of rainfall (~2000mm per year)

Question 22

Why is it hot and wet in the tropical rainforest?

Answer 22

• Hot temperatures: Toprical rainforests are found around the equator where the suns rays are most concentrated
• High rainfall: low pressure cell means air can rise, creating lots of clouds

Question 23

Describe the soil in the tropical rainforest

Answer 23

Infertile. Very top layer of soil is where nutrients are. Due to high levels of rainfall, nutrients are washed away (leaching).

Question 24

Describe the plants and animal life in the tropical rainforest

Answer 24

Very diverse. Huge biodiversity. Range of plants, insects, reptiles, mammals and rodents.

Question 25

What does '**biodiversity**' mean?

Answer 25

The variety of plants and animal species in a given location

Question 26

Give 3 examples of how the **tropical rainforest** is highly **interdependent**

Answer 26

1. **Climate is warm and wet** which makes it ideal for **decomposition** of leaf litter, adding nutrients to the **soil which sustains dense vegetation** 2. Plants are a vital source of animal food 3. **Loss of vegetatio**n in rainforests has a knock on impact on food supplies, habitats, water interception and the atmosphere

Question 27

Name the **four** layers of the rainforest

Answer 27

1. Shrub layer 2. Lower canopy 3. Upper canopy 4. Emergent layer

Question 28

Identify some **tropical rainforest** plant adaptations

Answer 28

1. Liana 2. Buttress roots 3. Epiphyte 4. Drip tips 5. Waxy leaves

Question 29

What is a **buttress root**?

Answer 29

* Large tree roots that help stabilise the tree in the ground. * They also facilitate the exchange of oxygen and CO₂.

Question 30

What is a **liana**?

Answer 30

Climbing vines that start life on the forest floor. They grow upwards, around trees to reach sunlight.

Question 31

What is an **epiphyte**?

Answer 31

Plants that grow on tree branches high in the canopy. They **do not** require soil to gain nutrients.

Question 32

What is a **drip tip**?

Answer 32

Leaves have adapted to deal with high levels of rainfall. The drip tip allows rainfall to run off the leaf surface.

Question 33

Describe how animals have **adapted** to the rainforest

Answer 33

* Most animals live in the canopy so they have **long limbs** to help climb * **Camouflage** - many animals blend in with the colours of the forest floor * Many animals have **good hearing** as the forest floor is so dark. * **Suction cups** for climbing trees * **Nocturnal** - sleep at night to avoid heat of the day * Many can **swim** due to large amounts of rivers in the rainforest

Question 34

What is '**deforestation**'?

Answer 34

Removal of trees from the earth's surface

Question 35

What are the main **causes** of **deforestation** in tropical rainforests?

Answer 35

1. To make space for housing 2. To mine 3. Build dams to generate energy 4. Farming / Cattle Ranching 5. Road building

Question 36

What is happening to the **rate** of deforestation?

Answer 36

High but slowing down.

Question 37

Why has the **rate** of **deforestation** in Malaysia increased?

Answer 37

* Malaysia now export large amounts of tropical wood * Oil mining developments in Borneo has led to the need for more roads * Dams have been developed to improve Malaysia's energy supply * Farmers received 10 year tax incentives to set up palm oil plantations so more were developed.

Question 38

What are the effects of **deforestation**?

Answer 38

1. Trees remove CO₂ from the atmosphere so with less trees, there is **more CO₂ in the atmosphere**. 2. Soil is more exposed to rainfall which means valuable **nutrients in the soil are washed away** 3. More **landslides** and **flooding** as a result of less roots holding soil together.

Question 39

What are the **environmental** impacts of deforestation in _Malaysia_?

Answer 39

* Loss of soil due to increased soil erosion * Loss of biodiversity * Threat to large area of biodiversity in the 'Main Range' * Contributing to climate change - warmer, drier temperatures * Increased pollution in rivers * Lower water supplies * Extinction of plants

Question 40

What are the **economic** impacts of deforestation in _Malaysia_? (+ and -)

Answer 40

+ Increased profit from mining + Development of more industries linked to mining, farming and energy - Tourism decreases + Increased energy provision + Improved infrastructure i.e. roads - Loss of valuable resources e.g. medicines

Question 41

Why do rainforests need **protecting**?

Answer 41

1. 'Green lungs of the earth' - they provide a large proportion of the Earth's **oxygen** 2. They are home to many **indigenous** **tribes** 3. Rainforest provide a wealth of important nature **resources** e.g. wood, fruits medicines 4. Source of **clean** water

Question 42

List some strategies used to **protect** tropical rainforests

Answer 42

1. Selective Logging 2. Replanting trees 3. Conservation/education 4. Ecotourism 5. International agreements

Question 43

How does **'selective logging'** protect the tropical rainforest?

Answer 43

A strategy used to protect tropical rainforests. Only the **oldest or poor condition** trees are removed meaning large amounts of trees are not removed, maintaining the forests structure. -horse logging or helicopter logging are least damaging form.

Question 44

How does '**replanting**' protect the tropical rainforest?

Answer 44

Replanting trees when others are cut down means that trees are available in the future.

Question 45

How does '**ecotourism**' protect the tropical rainforest?

Answer 45

Ecotourism **educates** tourists about **protecting** the natural environment. It only allows a **few visitors** to an area at one time, encourages **use of local tour guides** so **money stays in area** and encourages **reduction of litter and pollution**. 21% of costa rica protected by this *_(Socially, economically and environmentally sustainable)_*

Question 46

How do '**international agreements**' protect the tropical rainforest?

Answer 46

Hardwood is tree species that is dense and for furniture. High demand mean it becomes rare The FSC (*Forest Stewardship Council*) is an organisation that encourages manufacturers and consumers about building sustainable hardwood by marking products with a FSC logo.

Question 47

How does '**education**' protect the tropical rainforest?

Answer 47

Educating the **global community** about the **impacts** of **unsustainable** use of the rainforest encourages individuals to **change their consumer habits** (i.e. buying sustainable hardwood). It may also change the local communities strategies to make money without destroying the forest. -showing alternative methods that do not damage

Question 48

How does '**debt reduction**' protect the tropical rainforest?

Answer 48

Many tropical rainforests are found in LICs. By reducing debt, these countries are less likely to use the rainforest for economic gain. Allow farming loggins and mining in rainforest to make money to pay debt but reducing debt means they don't have to. Eg:2008 USA reduced Peru debt by 25 million in exchange for rainforest conservation