People And The Biosphere

Question 1

Definition of Biome

Answer 1

Large area characterised by certain types of plants and animals

Question 2

What is meant by Latitude

Answer 2

A measure of how North or South a location is fro the equator

Question 3

What are the 9 major biomes found in the world

Answer 3

Tundra,
Boreal Forest (Taiga),
Temperate Deciduous Forest,
Temperate Grassland,
Mediterranean,
Hot Desert,
Tropical Rainforest,
Tropical Grassland,
Other biomes, eg Ice, Mountains

Question 4

What is the Tundra

Answer 4

A biome which is largely treeless due to very low temperatures and short growing seasons

Question 5

What is Boreal Forest (Taiga)

Answer 5

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

Question 6

What is Temperate Deciduous Forest

Answer 6

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

Question 7

What is Tropical Grassland

Answer 7

Hot savannahs of the sub-Saharan Africa and northern Australia, rainfall varies between seasons and years ranging from 25.4cm to 101.6cm

Question 8

What is meant by local factors

Answer 8

Differences that alter animal and plant species in a biome, from ones we would expect

Question 9

What is meant by Biotic

Answer 9

Living organisms and is made up of plant and animal life.

Question 10

What is meant by Abiotic

Answer 10

Non-living things made up of atmosphere, water, rock and soil

Question 11

What is meant by Altitudinal zonation

Answer 11

The change in ecosystems at different altitudes, caused by alterations in temperature, precipitation, sunlight and soil type

Question 12

What is meant by indigenous people

Answer 12

Original people of the region that lead traditional lifestyles and use the area to survive

Question 13

What is meant by Ecosystem services

Answer 13

Functions, how forests prevent flooding or trees add oxygen to the atmosphere. Ways humans benefit fro the ecosystem

Question 14

What is meant by slash and burn or shifting cultivation

Answer 14

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

Question 15

What is meant by carbon sinks

Answer 15

Natural stores for carbon-containing chemical compounds such as carbon dioxide or methane

Question 16

What is meant by the nutrient cycle

Answer 16

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

Question 17

What is meant by carbon sequestration

Answer 17

The removal of Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by locking it into biotic material

Question 18

What are the 4 ecosystem services from the rainforest

Answer 18

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