Paper 1: Living World Flashcards
1
Q
What does abiotic mean?
A
Relating to non-living parts of an ecosystem.
2
Q
What does biotic mean?
A
Relating to living parts of an ecosystem.
3
Q
What is a consumer?
A
An animal that eats animals and/or plant matter.
4
Q
What is a decomposer?
A
An organism such as a bacterium or fungus that breaks down dead tissue, which is then recycled to the environment.
5
Q
What is an ecosystem?
A
A community of plants and animals that interact with each other and their physical environment.
6
Q
What is a food chain?
A
The connections between different organisms (plants and animals) that rely on one another as their source of food.
7
Q
What is a food web?
A
A complex interconnection of all the food chains in an ecosystem.
8
Q
What is nutrient cycling?
A
A set of processes whereby organisms extract minerals necessary for growth from soil or water, before passing them on through the food chain - and ultimately back to the soil and water.
9
Q
What is a global ecosystem?
A
A very large ecological area on the earth’s surface, with fauna and flora (animals and plants) adapting to their environment. Examples include tropical rainforest and hot desert.
10
Q
What is a producer?
A
An organism that produces its own food, typically through photosynthesis.
11
Q
What is biodiversity?
A
The variety of life in the world or a particular habitat.
12
Q
What is commercial farming?
A
Farming to sell produce for a profit to retailers or food processing companies.
13
Q
What is debt reduction?
A
A political agreement where countries are relieved of some of their debt in return for protecting their rainforests.
14
Q
What is deforestation?
A
The chopping down and removal of trees to clear an area of forest.
15
Q
What is ecotourism?
A
A type of tourism that involves responsible travel to natural areas, conserving the environment and sustaining the wellbeing of local people.
16
Q
What is logging?
A
The business of cutting down trees and transporting the logs to sawmills.
17
Q
What is mineral extraction?
A
The removal of solid mineral resources from the earth, including ores, precious stones, building stones, and solid fuels.
18
Q
What is selective logging?
A
The cutting out of trees which are mature or inferior, to encourage the growth of the remaining trees in a forest or wood.
19
Q
What is soil erosion?
A
Removal of topsoil faster than it can be replaced, due to natural, animal, and human activity.
20
Q
What is subsistence farming?
A
A type of agriculture producing food and materials for the benefit only of the farmer and his family.
21
Q
What is sustainability?
A
Actions and forms of progress that meet the needs of the present without reducing the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
22
Q
What is appropriate technology?
A
Technology suited to the needs, skills, resources, knowledge, and wealth of local people in their environment.
23
Q
What is desertification?
A
The process by which land becomes drier and degraded due to climate change or human activities.
24
Q
What is a hot desert?
A
An ecosystem characterized by high average temperatures and very low precipitation.
25
What is over-cultivation?
Exhausting the soil by over-cropping the land.
26
What is overgrazing?
Grazing too many livestock for too long, depleting vegetation cover and preventing recovery.
27
What is a fragile environment?
An environment that is easily disturbed and difficult to restore if disturbed. Plant communities in fragile areas have evolved in highly specialized ways to deal with challenging conditions.
28
What is infrastructure?
The basic equipment and structures (such as roads, utilities, water supply, and sewage) needed for a country or region to function.
29
What are the polar regions?
The regions of Earth surrounding the North and South Poles, dominated by Earth's polar ice caps.
30
What is tundra?
The flat, treeless Arctic regions where the ground is permanently frozen. Lichen, moss, grasses, and dwarf shrubs can grow here.
31
What is a wilderness area?
A natural environment that has not been significantly modified by human activity, remaining intact and undisturbed.
32
What is landscape?
The visible features of an area of land, including physical elements like landforms and vegetation.
33
Q: Where is the Sahara Desert located?
A: The Sahara spans North Africa, covering parts of 11 countries including Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Sudan, Chad, Mali, and Morocco.
34
Q: What is the climate like in the Sahara?
A: It is hot and arid, with less than 250mm of rainfall per year and temperatures exceeding 50°C during the day
35
Q: What mineral resources are found in the Sahara?
A: The Sahara is rich in phosphates, iron ore, oil, and natural gas. Algeria is one of Africa’s leading gas producers.
36
Q: How does mining benefit the Sahara region?
A: Mining provides jobs, boosts exports, and contributes to GDP growth, especially in countries like Algeria and Morocco
37
Q: What type of farming happens in the Sahara?
A: Irrigated farming near oases and river valleys (like the Nile) grows crops like wheat, barley, and vegetables
38
Q: How is solar energy being used in the Sahara?
A: Projects like the Noor Solar Plant in Morocco use the vast sun exposure to generate renewable energy for export and local use
39
Q: How does tourism create opportunities in the Sahara?
A: Adventure tourism (e.g., camel trekking, sandboarding, desert safaris) provides income and jobs in countries like Tunisia and Morocco
40
Q: What are the main challenges of working in the Sahara?
A: Extreme heat, lack of water, isolation, and limited infrastructure make development difficult and expensive
41
Q: How does water scarcity limit farming?
A: The Sahara has very low rainfall, and aquifers are being overused, which threatens the long-term sustainability of irrigation
42
Q: Why is accessibility a major issue in the Sahara?
A: Remote locations, sparse road networks, and harsh terrain make transport and trade difficult and costly
43
Q: What are the risks to people working in the Sahara?
A: Heat exhaustion, dehydration, and sandstorms pose serious health and safety risks, especially for outdoor labourers
44
Q: How can sustainable development be supported in the Sahara?
A: Through renewable energy, careful water management, and investment in infrastructure and climate-adapted technology
45
Q: Where is the Amazon Rainforest located?
.
A: The Amazon is in South America, mainly in Brazil, but also spreads into countries like Peru and Colombia. It is next to the Atlantic Ocean
46
Q: What is the climate like in the Amazon?
A: The Amazon has a hot, wet, and humid climate, with high rainfall (over 2,000 mm/year) and temperatures around 27°C all year
47
Q: How does logging contribute to development in the Amazon?
A: Logging, especially for valuable hardwoods like mahogany, creates jobs and supports exports but is a major cause of deforestation.
48
Q: What kind of farming is common in the Amazon?
A: Cattle ranching and slash-and-burn agriculture are widespread, especially in Brazil, where land is cleared for pasture.
49
Q: How is commercial farming used in the Amazon?
A: Large-scale farming of soybeans, palm oil, and sugarcane brings income and exports, but involves clearing vast areas of forest
50
Q: How does mining contribute to development in the Amazon?
A: The Amazon has valuable minerals like gold, iron ore, and bauxite, with open-cast mining providing jobs and boosting the economy.
51
Q: How does hydroelectric power (HEP) support development in the Amazon?
A: Dams like the Belo Monte Dam provide renewable energy but can flood large areas and displace people and wildlife
52
Q: How is tourism an opportunity in the Amazon?
A: Ecotourism attracts visitors to see wildlife and indigenous culture, providing sustainable income and jobs for local communities
53
Q: What are the environmental impacts of deforestation in the Amazon?
A: Deforestation leads to loss of biodiversity, soil erosion, and contributes to climate change through the loss of carbon sinks
54
Q: How does deforestation affect the global carbon cycle?
A: Trees absorb CO₂, so when they’re cut down or burned, carbon is released, contributing to the greenhouse effect
55
Q: How does development affect indigenous peoples?
A: Indigenous groups such as The Achuar Tribe or the Kapoyo may be forced from their land, lose access to resources, and have traditional lifestyles disrupted by roads, logging, or farming
56
Q: Why is managing the rainforest sustainably a challenge?
A: Balancing economic development with conservation is difficult, especially in LICs where poverty drives deforestation
57
Q: What international strategies help protect the Amazon?
A: Debt-for-nature swaps, international funding, and sustainable certification schemes (e.g., for timber or palm oil) support conservation.
58
Q: How is Brazil trying to reduce deforestation?
A: Brazil has used satellite monitoring, created protected areas, and worked with NGOs to promote sustainable land use and enforcement
59
Q: Why can slash and burn farming be considered a sustainable use of the rainforest?
A: When done on a small scale by indigenous communities, slash and burn is sustainable because it returns nutrients to the soil, allows forest regeneration, and supports traditional, low-impact lifestyles without large-scale deforestation
60
Q: How do cactus plants survive with very little water?
A: They have thick, waxy skin to reduce water loss through evaporation, and swollen stems to store water for dry periods.
61
Q: Why do some desert plants have small or no leaves?
A: Small or no leaves reduce surface area, which minimises transpiration, helping conserve water in hot, dry conditions
62
Q: What is the role of deep taproots in desert plants?
A: Deep taproots can reach underground water sources that surface roots cannot access, helping plants survive long droughts
63
Q: Why do some plants rely on a dormant seedbank in desert conditions?
A: These plants lie dormant as seeds until rare rainfall, then germinate, grow, flower, and seed rapidly before dying again
64
65
Q: How are camels adapted to desert conditions?
A: Camels have thick fur on top for shade, long eyelashes and closable nostrils to protect from sand, and fat stores in their humps for energy and insulation as there is little food to found in deserts
66
Q: Why do many desert animals such as mice stay active at night?
A: Being nocturnal helps them avoid extreme daytime temperatures, conserving energy and water
67
Q: How are desert foxes adapted to heat?
A: Animals like the fennec fox have large ears to release heat and light-coloured fur to reflect sunlight.
68
Q: How are reptiles like desert lizards adapted to dry conditions?
A: They have scaly skin to reduce water loss, are cold-blooded to regulate body temperature using the environment, and can burrow to avoid heat.
69
Q: Why do many rainforest trees have buttress roots?
A: Buttress roots provide stability in the shallow, nutrient-poor soil, and help absorb nutrients from the surface.
A: Buttress roots provide stability in the shallow, nutrient-poor soil, and help absorb nutrients from the surface.
70
Q: How do drip tips help rainforest plants survive?
A: Drip tips on leaves help shed excess rainwater quickly, preventing fungal growth and damage from heavy rainfall
71
Q: Why do some plants grow on other trees instead of the forest floor?
A: Epiphytes grow on tall trees to access sunlight, avoiding the dark, competitive understory.
72
Q: What is the role of fast growth in rainforest trees?
A: Emergent trees grow tall rapidly to reach sunlight in the dense canopy, essential for photosynthesis
73
Q: How do lianas adapt to rainforest conditions?
A: Lianas are climbing vines that use other trees to support their growth, allowing them to reach light without investing energy in thick trunks
74
Q: How is the pink river dolphin adapted to its environment?
A: It uses echolocation to navigate murky, flooded waters, and its flexible neck helps it move around submerged tree roots and branches
75
Q: How are sloths adapted to rainforest life?
A: Sloths have slow movements to avoid predators, algae in their fur for camouflage, and strong limbs for hanging in the canopy
76
Q: Why do many rainforest animals have strong limbs or tails?
A: Animals like howler monkeys have prehensile tails and strong limbs to swing and move through the canopy safely
77
Q: How do poison dart frogs avoid predators?
A: They have bright warning colours and toxic skin, deterring predators in the humid understory
78
Q: How are rainforest birds like toucans adapted to their habitat?
A: Toucans have large, lightweight beaks to reach and eat fruit from narrow branches, and bright colours for mating or camouflage in the dense foliage
79
Q: How does a camel’s hump help it survive in the desert?
A: The camel’s hump stores fat, which is used as an energy source when food is scarce, helping the camel survive without eating for long periods
80
Q: How do camels regulate their body temperature in the desert?
A: Camels can allow their body temperature to rise during the day (up to 41°C) and then cool down at night, reducing water loss from sweating.
81
Q: How are a camel’s feet adapted to walking on sand?
A: Camels have wide, padded feet that help them distribute their weight and prevent sinking into the hot sand
82
Q: How do camels protect themselves from sandstorms?
A: Camels have long, thick eyelashes, closeable nostrils, and extra-large ears to protect their eyes, nose, and ears from blowing sand
83
Q: What is a deciduous woodland?
A: A deciduous woodland is a forest that is dominated by deciduous trees, which shed their leaves in the autumn to conserve water and energy during the winter
84
Q: What is a tropical rainforest biome?
A: A tropical rainforest is a dense, hot and wet biome located near the equator, with high biodiversity and year-round rainfall (over 2000 mm annually).
85
Q: What is the tundra biome?
A: The tundra is a cold, treeless biome found in regions with low temperatures, short growing seasons, and permafrost. It is characterized by low vegetation like mosses, lichens, and small shrubs, and is found in areas like Arctic regions and high mountain tops
86
Q: What is the difference between a food chain and a food web?
A: A food chain is a simple, linear sequence. A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem
87
Q: What is a producer in a pond ecosystem?
A: A producer is an organism, such as plants or algae, that makes its own food through photosynthesis and provides energy for other organisms in the food chain.
88
Q: What is a primary consumer in a pond ecosystem?
A: A primary consumer is an organism that eats producers (plants or algae). In a pond, examples include herbivorous insects or fish that feed on plants
A: A primary consumer is an organism that eats producers (plants or algae). In a pond, examples include herbivorous insects or fish that feed on plants
89
Q: What is a secondary consumer in a pond ecosystem?
A: A secondary consumer is an organism that eats primary consumers. Examples in a pond could include frogs or small fish that eat insects or smaller fish
90
Q: What role do decomposers play in a pond ecosystem?
A: Decomposers like bacteria and fungi break down dead organisms and waste, returning important nutrients to the soil and water
91
Q: What is the main human cause of climate change?
A: The burning of fossil fuels (like coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy and transport releases carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect
92
Q: How does deforestation contribute to climate change?
A: Deforestation reduces the number of trees that can absorb CO₂, and when trees are burned or left to decay, they release more carbon into the atmosphere
93
Q: What is the role of methane in climate change?
A: Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is released by activities like livestock farming, landfills, and the extraction of fossil fuels. It traps more heat than CO₂ over a short period.
94
Q: What are the main impacts of climate change on global temperatures?
A: Climate change is leading to an increase in global temperatures, causing more heatwaves, higher global average temperatures, and changing weather patterns
95
Q: How do industrial processes contribute to climate change?
A: Industrial activities release greenhouse gases, including nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases, which are by-products of manufacturing, chemicals, and agriculture.
96
Q: What are the main impacts of climate change on global temperatures?
A: Climate change is leading to an increase in global temperatures, causing more heatwaves, higher global average temperatures, and changing weather patterns
97
Q: How does climate change impact sea levels?
A: Climate change causes glaciers and polar ice caps to melt, and thermal expansion of seawater, which leads to rising sea levels, threatening coastal areas and islands
98
Q: How does climate change affect weather patterns?
A: Climate change leads to more extreme weather events, such as stronger storms, floods, droughts, and more intense rainfall in some areas, while others experience longer dry periods
99
Q: What are the social consequences of climate change?
A: Climate change can lead to displacement of people (climate refugees), increased poverty, and strain on resources like water and food, especially in vulnerable regions.
100
Q: What are some mitigation strategies to combat climate change?
A: Mitigation strategies include reducing carbon emissions (through renewable energy, electric vehicles, and energy efficiency), reforestation, and the use of carbon capture technology
101
Q: What are some adaptation strategies to cope with the effects of climate change?
A: Adaptation strategies include building flood defences, growing drought-resistant crops, and improving water management in areas at risk from climate-related disasters.
102
Q: What is desertification?
A: Desertification is the process by which fertile land becomes desert-like due to factors like drought, deforestation, and unsustainable farming practices, leading to a loss of soil fertility.
103
Q: How does overgrazing contribute to desertification in the Sahel?
A: Overgrazing by livestock strips the land of vegetation, leading to soil erosion and reduced soil fertility, making the land more vulnerable to desertification
104
Q: How does deforestation lead to desertification in the Sahel?
A: Deforestation removes trees that protect the soil, reducing water retention and causing soil erosion. It also disrupts the local water cycle and worsens the effects of drought.
105
Q: How does climate change contribute to desertification in the Sahel?
A: Climate change increases the frequency and severity of droughts, reducing rainfall and exacerbating the spread of desert-like conditions across the Sahel region.
106
Q: What are the economic consequences of desertification in the Sahel?
A: Desertification reduces agricultural productivity, leading to food insecurity, lower incomes for farmers, and increased poverty, particularly in rural areas reliant on agriculture.
107
Q: How does desertification affect local communities in the Sahel?
A: Desertification forces people to migrate, creating climate refugees. It also results in water shortages, poorer living conditions, and increased conflict over resources like land and water.
108
Q: What impact does desertification have on the environment in the Sahel?
A: Desertification leads to soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, reduced vegetation cover, and worsened water scarcity, threatening ecosystems and wildlife in the region.
109
Q: How does pit planting help combat desertification in the Sahel?
A: Pit planting involves digging small pits to collect rainwater and prevent soil erosion. This method creates a better environment for plants to grow by trapping moisture and improving soil fertility, helping to combat desertification
110
What is the name of the reforestation taking place along the Sahel?
The Great Green Wall
111
Q: How do stone bunds help reduce desertification in the Sahel?
A: Stone bunds are rows of stones placed along the contours of the land to slow down water runoff and reduce soil erosion. They help trap moisture, improve soil structure, and prevent further land degradation
