People And The Biosphere Flashcards
Definition of Biome
Large area characterised by certain types of plants and animals
What is meant by Latitude
A measure of how North or South a location is fro the equator
What are the 9 major biomes found in the world
Tundra,
Boreal Forest (Taiga),
Temperate Deciduous Forest,
Temperate Grassland,
Mediterranean,
Hot Desert,
Tropical Rainforest,
Tropical Grassland,
Other biomes, eg Ice, Mountains
What is the Tundra
A biome which is largely treeless due to very low temperatures and short growing seasons
What is Boreal Forest (Taiga)
Biome full of life adapted to live in and withstand very cold conditions year-round by thick fur, hibernation or migration. Covers most of Canada, Alaska and Russia
What is Temperate Deciduous Forest
Forests located in mid-latitude areas which means they are found between the polar regions and the tropics, exposing them to warm and cold air masses resulting in four seasons
What is Tropical Grassland
Hot savannahs of the sub-Saharan Africa and northern Australia, rainfall varies between seasons and years ranging from 25.4cm to 101.6cm
What is meant by local factors
Differences that alter animal and plant species in a biome, from ones we would expect
What is meant by Biotic
Living organisms and is made up of plant and animal life.
What is meant by Abiotic
Non-living things made up of atmosphere, water, rock and soil
What is meant by Altitudinal zonation
The change in ecosystems at different altitudes, caused by alterations in temperature, precipitation, sunlight and soil type
What is meant by indigenous people
Original people of the region that lead traditional lifestyles and use the area to survive
What is meant by Ecosystem services
Functions, how forests prevent flooding or trees add oxygen to the atmosphere. Ways humans benefit fro the ecosystem
What is meant by slash and burn or shifting cultivation
Type of farming where trees are chopped or burnt down which creates ash adding nutrients to the soil making it more suitable for farming for the next 5-6 years after which it becomes infertile
What is meant by carbon sinks
Natural stores for carbon-containing chemical compounds such as carbon dioxide or methane
What is meant by the nutrient cycle
Nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus move between biomass, litter and soil as part of a continuous nutrient cycle which keeps both plants and soil healthy
What is meant by carbon sequestration
The removal of Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by locking it into biotic material
What are the 4 ecosystem services from the rainforest
Provisioning services or goods - Things taken from the ecosystem
Regulating Services - Aspects which keep the entire planet healthy
Supporting Services - Keeps the ecosystem healthy in order to provide the other services
Cultural Services - Aspects which benefit the people either by visiting or living in a healthy ecosystem
