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shitty geography > P1 ecosystems > Flashcards

P1 ecosystems Flashcards

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1
Q

what is the definition of an ecosystem

A
  • a natural system that is made up from plants, animals and the environment in which they live.
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2
Q

what are the components of an ecosystem and how are they linked

A
  • climate, water, soil, plants, animals and people
  • they are closely interlinked and depend on each other for survival
  • if one component changes there will be knock on effects within the ecosystem
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3
Q

what are the two types of components in an ecosystem

A
  • biotic- such as plants animals and bacteria
  • abiotic- such as climate, water and soils
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4
Q

what is the case study for a small scale ecosystem

A
  • Epping forest or Reigate heath
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5
Q

give information on Epping forest in Essex

A
  • ancient deciduous woodland in the northeast of London
  • several native species including oak, elm, ash and beech
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6
Q

what are the main producers of the Epping forest

A
  • a lower shrub layer of grasses, brambles, and bracken
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7
Q

what are the main consumers of the Epping forest

A

many insects, mammals, amphibians and birds

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8
Q

what are the main decomposers of the Epping forest

A

over 700 species of fungi

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9
Q

how do people have a role to play in the Epping forest

A
  • Epping forest has been managed for centuries, initially as a hunting forest for royalty, then for its timber, and now for recreation and conservation
  • many trees have been coppiced ( cut down to ground level) or pollarded ( cut down to shoulder level) to encourage new straight growth of timber
  • visitors pick fruits and berries, helping to disperse the seeds
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10
Q

what is the definition of a food web

A

a complex hierarchy of plants and animals that rely on each other as a source of food within an ecosystem

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11
Q

what is the definition of a food chain

A

the direct links between different organisms that rely on each other a source of food

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12
Q

what is nutrient cycling

A
  • there are 3 main nutrient stores
  • and several flows responsible for transferring nutrients between he stores
  • there are also flows to and from the abiotic components, such as a rock
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13
Q

what 2 sources are nutrients derived from

A
  • rainwater, washing chemicals out of the atmosphere
  • weathering of rocks, releasing chemicals into the soil
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14
Q

why are food chains and food web extremally important

A
  • help understand the possible impacts of change within an ecosystem
  • the sudden removal of one species or massive growth of another can have huge impacts on other components within the ecosystem
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15
Q

what are the natural impacts of change on an ecosystem

A
  • extreme weather events such as floods and droughts
  • fires caused by lightening strikes
  • climate change and global warming
  • spread of invasive species or introduction of alien species
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16
Q

what are the huma impacts of change of an ecosystem

A
  • land use change, such as deforestation and hedgerow removal
  • alteration to water and soils, such as land drainage or adding fertilisers
  • hunting or trapping of animals or birds
  • introduction of alien species
17
Q

what is the primary factor affecting the pattern of global ecosystems

A
  • climate
  • this is why most global ecosystems form latitudinal belts across the world
18
Q

what is a variation in the pattern affecting global ecosystems

A
  • reflect other factors such as warm and cold ocean currents, the distribution of land and sea, and the pattern of surface winds
  • these factors result in small scale variations in weather and climate, which impact on ecosystems
  • e.g the UK experiences a temperate maritime climate, due to the prevailing southwest winds and the presence of the north Atlantic drift.
19
Q

what is the location and characteristics of a coniferous forest

A
  • roughly 60 deg north
  • cold and dark winters
  • warm summers
  • coniferous trees are cone bearing and many are evergreen so that they can photosynthesise immediately after the winter
20
Q

what is the location and characteristics of a deciduous forest

A
  • roughly 50 deg north, natural ecosystem for the UK and western Europe
  • deciduous trees shed their leaves in winter to retain moisture
  • climate is more moderate
  • mostly mild and moist condition with some extremes of temp
21
Q

what is the location and characteristics of a desert

A
  • roughly 30 deg north and south of the equator close to the tropics of caner and Capricorn
  • sinking air in these latitudes suppresses rain formation, leading to arid conditions
  • hot in the daytime and cooler and night, due to lack of cloud cover
  • plants and animals have to very well adapted to deal with these conditions
22
Q

what is the location and characteristics of the Mediterranean

A
  • roughly 40-45 deg north , centred on the Mediterranean, isolated pockets in south Africa and Australia
  • hot and dry summers
  • wet and mild winters
  • vegetation includes citrus fruit trees, olives and oaks
23
Q

what is the location and characteristics of a polar/tundra

A
  • arctic and Antarctic and high latitudes such as Canada and Siberia
  • extremally cold throughout the year in polar regions
  • cold winter but quite warm brief summers in tundra regions
  • limited precipitation
  • tundra is very fragile and easily damaged by human activities e.g oil exploration
24
Q

what is the location and characteristics of temperate grasslands

A
  • roughly 30-40 deg north and south of the equator in continental interiors
  • continental conditions result in hot summers and cold winters
  • low rainfall
  • ideal conditions for grasses and grazing animals
25
Q

what is the location and characteristics of a tropical rainforest

A
  • close to the equator, widespread across Asia, Africa and south America
  • concentrated energy from the sun heats the moist air
  • which rises to produce rainfall
  • along with high temps means ideal conditions for plant growth
  • rainforests cover 6% of the earths land surface
  • over 50% of the worlds plants and animals live in this ecosystem
26
Q

what is the location and characteristics of a tropical grassland (savanna)

A
  • between 15-30 deg north and south of the equator
  • distinct wet and dry seasons
  • fires are common in the dry seasons usually ignited by lightening strikes
  • herds graze these areas, along with predators such as lions

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