Rainforests

Question 1

Define what an ecosystem is?

Answer 1

A community of plants and animals that interact with each other and their physical environment

Question 2

Define what a biome is?

Answer 2

A larger ecosystem found on a regional scale

Question 3

Define what nutrient cycling is?

Answer 3

Process where organisms extract minerals for growth from soil/water before passing on through the food chain

Question 4

Define what biotic factors are?

Answer 4

Relates to living parts of an ecosystem

Question 5

Define what abiotic factors are?

Answer 5

Relates to non-living parts of an ecosystem

Question 6

Give 3 examples of biotic factors?

Answer 6

Plankton
Bacteria
Insects

Question 7

Give 2 examples of abiotic factors?

Answer 7

Sun/heat
pH levels

Question 8

What is a food chain?

Answer 8

Shows the direct links between different organisms

Question 9

What is a food web?

Answer 9

Shows the complex hierarchy of plants and animals and how they rely on each other

Question 10

Where are coniferous forests located and give some characteristics of them?

Answer 10

60 degrees North
Cold dark winters but warm summers
Trees are cone bearing so photosynthesis all winter

Question 11

Where are Deciduous forests located and give some characteristics of them?

Answer 11

50 degrees North
Trees shed their leaves in winter
Climate is moderate with mild and moist conditions

Question 12

Where are Deserts located and give some characteristics of them?

Answer 12

30 degrees North and South
Sinking air in the latitudes supress rain
Hot in the day but cold in the night due to no cloud cover

Question 13

Where is the Mediterranean located and give some characteristics of them?

Answer 13

40-5 degrees North of equator
Hot and dry summers, wet mild winters

Question 14

Where is the polar/tundra located and give some characteristics of them?

Answer 14

Arctic and Antarctic
Extremely cold throughout the year
Brief warm summers
Limited precipitation

Question 15

Where are Tropical Rainforests located and give some characteristics of them?

Answer 15

Close to the equator
Concentrated heat from the sun heats moist air increasing rainfall
High temperatures and rainfall mean that conditions are ideal for plant growth

Question 16

Where are Savannahs located and give some characteristics of them?

Answer 16

15-30 degrees North and South
Tropical climate means wet and dry seasons
Fires are cause by lightning strikes in dry seasons

Question 17

Where are tropical rainforests located?

Answer 17

Cover 2% of the earths surface. Found around the equator in S America, Asia and W Africa

Question 18

What is the climate like in tropical rainforests?

Answer 18

Thrive in high temperatures of around 27 degrees.
High rainfall with 2,000ml per year
Creates lush vegetation

Question 19

What is the soil like in tropical rainforests?

Answer 19

Soil isn’t very fertile with nutrients concentrated to the upper topsoil - this is quickly used by plants
Leaching means nutrients are spread further down due to rain

Question 20

What are the people like in tropical rainforests?

Answer 20

Forests are home to many tribes and live in harmony with the environment
These tribes do become affected by human interaction with illness ect

Question 21

What are the plants and animals like in rainforests?

Answer 21

Amazon is home to 50% of all plant and animal wildlife
Birds and mammals live in the tree tops with predators like snakes on the floor and trees

Question 22

What is the water like in rainforests?

Answer 22

Most rainforests have a distinct rainy season. Experience high rainfall for months on end. Leaching will occur where nutrients are carried away by the rain.

Question 23

What 3 resources will species compete for in the rainforest?

Answer 23

Sunlight, food, water/nutrients

Question 24

How are drip tips adapted to the rainforest?

Answer 24

Capture water and send it downwards to the forest floor

Question 25

How are Lianas adapted to the rainforest?

Answer 25

Feed off trees and climb to the top to capture sunlight

Question 26

How are Buttress roots adapted to the rainforest?

Answer 26

Large so added stability in ground are in abundance so water can be stored

Question 27

List the names of each part of a rainforest? (Top to bottom)

Answer 27

Emergent
Canopy
Understorey
Ground Layer

Question 28

Give 3 ways in which the rainforest in socially and economically valuable?

Answer 28

• High amount of resources such as wood, nuts, fruits, mineral and spices
• 25% of all medicines come from rainforests
• Employment is provided due to tourism as guides or stewards. There is also construction, farming and mining

Question 29

Give 3 ways in which the rainforest in environmentally valuable?

Answer 29

• 50% of world plants and animals come from the rainforests
• Rainforests act as a carbon sink absorbing CO2 - offsets global warming
• Contributes to 28% of the worlds CO2

Question 30

How does commercial farming cause cause deforestation?

Answer 30

This occurs due to cattle and crop farms as well and deforestation for paper, palm oil and soya beans

Question 31

How does logging cause deforestation?

Answer 31

Hardwoods like mahogany and teak are valued for their ability to be kept outside.
Also wood is used for fuel, pulp and charcoal

Question 32

How does road building cause deforestation?

Answer 32

Roads bring new supplies and access to mines and settlements. Clearing trees as well for the roads to be built

Question 33

How does Mineral Extraction cause deforestation?

Answer 33

Mining is extensive in countries like Brazil. Roads are made and forests are cleared to continue mining. If mines expand then deforestation would increase