People & the biosphere

Question 1

Biome

Answer 1

A large area characterised by certain types of plants and animals

Question 2

Latitude

Answer 2

It measures how far north or south the location is from the equator

Question 3

Tundra

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Boreal forest

Answer 4

• full of life that’s adapted to withstand very low temperatures year-round
• many deciduous trees
• cover vast expanses in Canada, Alaska & Russia
• important to the carbon sink
• absorb a lot of co2 keeping the earth healthy

Question 5

Temperate deciduous forest

Answer 5

• Located in mid-latitude areas which means they are found between the polar regions & the tropics
• exposed to warm & cold masses. The area has 4 seasons

Question 6

Tropical grassland (savanna)

Answer 6

• includes the hot savannahs of sub-Saharan Africa & northern Australia
• rainfall can vary from season to season but ranges from 10-40 inches a year

Question 7

Local factors

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Biotic

Answer 8

This is the living part and is made up of plant (flora) and animal  (fauna) life

Question 9

abiotic

Answer 9

The (nonliving) part includes the atmosphere, water, tock and soil

Question 10

Altitudinal zonation

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Indigenous people

Answer 11

Original people of the region that led to additional lifestyles and use the area to survive

Question 12

Transnational companies

Answer 12

Giant companies operating in many countries

Question 13

Goods

Answer 13

These are physical material such as timber from trees or fish caught in a lake

Question 14

Ecosystem services

Answer 14

These are functions .eg. how forest prevent flooding or trees add to the oxygen in the atmosphere. these are always humans benefit from ecosystems

Question 15

Slash and burn or shifting cultivation

Answer 15

A type of farming that involves chopping down the trees, burning the trees which creates ash which adds nutrients to the soil making excellent for growing crops for 5 to 6 years after which the soil becomes infertile. This is a temporary destruction of the rainforest as the trees will grow back

Question 16

Carbon sinks

Answer 16

Natural stores for carbon–containing chemical compounds like carbon dioxide or methane

Question 17

Nutrient cycle

Answer 17

Nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus move between the biomass, litter and soil as part of a continuous nutrient cycle which keeps both plants and soil healthy.

Question 18

Carbon sequestration

Answer 18

Biomes are carbon sinks which means they remove CO2 from the earths atmosphere and lock it up in a biotic material. Photosynthesis makes this work

Question 19

Biosphere

Answer 19

The living part of the earth (plants and animals). Provides us with goods & services for survival and commercial use