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Geography - Physical > Rainforests + Deserts > Flashcards

Rainforests + Deserts Flashcards

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1
Q

What is an ecosystem

A

A community of plants and animals living together in a habitat
The lives of the plants and animals are closely linked to each other

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2
Q

What is abiotic

A

Non loving thing in an ecosystem

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3
Q

Examples of abiotic things

A

Sun
Wat
Temperature
Soil

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4
Q

What are biotic examples

A

Plants and animals

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5
Q

What is biotic

A

Loving things in an ecosystem

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6
Q

Examples of interactions between biotic and abiotic

A

Elephants and water
Plants and sun

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7
Q

Factors that affect ecosystems

A

Temperature
Location
Level of pollution

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8
Q

What are producers

A

Plants or algae Which photosynthesis

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9
Q

Example of producers

A

Algae
Water lily

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10
Q

What is a consumer

A

Unable to make their own energy rely on consumers and producers to live

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11
Q

Examples of consumers

A

Duck
Herren
Fox

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12
Q

What is a biome

A

A very large ecosystem
Eg, desert

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13
Q

What is a biosphere

A

Zone where life is found
Extends 3m below ground and about 30m above ground up to 200m deep in oceans

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14
Q

What is biodiversity

A

The varied range of plants and animals found in an area

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15
Q

What is latitude

A

How near to the equator an area is

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16
Q

What is temperature

A

How hot or cold an area is

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17
Q

Countries that include tropical rainforest

A

Mexico
Brazil
Congo

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18
Q

What continents have no tropical rainforests

A

Europe
North America
Antarctic

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19
Q

Examples of a rainforest

A

Amazon located in South America

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20
Q

What is the climate like in the Amazon rainforest

A

Warm and wet conditions
High rainfall ( over 2000 mm a year)
High temperatures throughout the year

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21
Q

What is the rainforest biodiversity like

A

Huge biodiversity
Providing habitats for an enormous range of species

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22
Q

What animals live in rainforests

A

Birds
Monkeys
Sloths
Deer

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23
Q

What are the soils like in rainforests and why

A

Infertile
Most soil finds its nutrients on the surface from dead leaves
Dead leaves decompose rapidly in hot and humid conditions
Many trees have shallow roots to absorb nutrients
However heavy rainfall can quickly ash away nutrients (called leashing)

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24
Q

How does drip tips help leaves

A

Channel the water from the heavy rain off the leave quickly
Helps to keep the leaves dry a d prevents fungi and bacteria growing.

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25
Q

How does thin, smooth bark help trees

A

Makes it difficult for other plants to grow up
Less likely to be used by plants that may kill or weaken them

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26
Q

What are liana

A

Woody vines that grow around trees

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27
Q

How is liana plants adapted to helping the plant

A

They use structure of other trees to climb upward
They can get to sunlight without building a strong trunk

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28
Q

What are buttress roots

A

Trees that have shallow roots but wide bases

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29
Q

What are epiphytes

A

Plants that grow on other trees

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30
Q

What are some toucan adaptations

A

Vivid co,ours provide camouflage
Beak he,so it grasp fruit, insects, eggs + small birds
Strong legs and toes to counteract their small bodies + short wings

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31
Q

How does deforestation threaten biodiversity

A

When wildlife loses its habitat and becomes more vulnerable to hunting

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32
Q

Why is the soil in the rainforest red

A

Because it is rich in iron

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33
Q

How fast is the nutrient cycle in the rainforest

A

Rapid

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34
Q

What is leaching

A

To drain away soil ash or similar material by the action of rain water

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35
Q

How will deforestation effect the nutrient cycle

A

The land will become infertile due to fewer plants being available to drop leaves and therfore lower nutrients

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36
Q

What is deforestation

A

When trees are cut down
Often On a very large scale
Permanent destruction of forests in order to make land available

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37
Q

Where is the Amazon rainforest located

A

Located in the continent of South America in Brazil
Close to the Equator and imbetween tropics of cancer and Capricorn
SE of Venezuela

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38
Q

What is the nutrient cycle in the rainforest

A

Trees shed leaves all year round
Decaying vegetation decomposes rapidly releasing nutrient
Nutrients energy the soil surface but don’t get chance to sink in
Shallow roots quickly take up the nutrients
The nutrients help the trees to grow rapidly

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39
Q

What % of the worlds O2 is produced by the Amazon

A

20%

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40
Q

What do trees act as a store of

A

Carbon

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41
Q

What is the biggest reason trees are cleared

A

Cattle

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42
Q

What is selective logging

A

Cutting out trees that are mature or inferior will encourage the growth of the remaining teees in the rainforest

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43
Q

What is mineral extraction

A

The removal of solid mineral resources from the earth
Eg. Ores

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44
Q

What does biodiversity reduced mean

A

The number of differnt species of plants amd animals will decline

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45
Q

What is commercial farming

A

Farming to sell produce for a profit to retailers or food processing companies

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46
Q

What is subsistence farming

A

A type of agriculture that only benefits the farming and their families

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47
Q

What is logging

A

The business of cutting down trees and transporting the logs to sawmills

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48
Q

What is soil erosion

A

Removal of topsoil faster than it can be replaced due to natural and human activity

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49
Q

What is the greenhouse effect

A

The trapping of the suns warmth in a planets lower atmosphere due to the greater transparency to the atmosphere to visible radiation from the sun (natural process that warms the earth)

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50
Q

What are the negative effects of the enhanced greenhouse effect

A

Earth will get warmer, causes global rainfall, extreme weather effect and increase in sea levels

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51
Q

Why does Brazil want to develop the Amazon

A

Can boost the economy and the population has more money so more money to tax = development

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52
Q

Why should we protect the rainforest

A

Trees won’t be able to produce O2 means more CO2 as trees arnt tracking it in which results enhanced greenhouse effect
Biodiversity, ecosystems, protects biomes, protect indigenous people

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53
Q

What goods can come from the rainforest

A

Water, fish + meat, crops, medicines, building material

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54
Q

How many prescription drugs come from plant sources

A

120

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55
Q

Environmental impacts of deforestation.

A

Enhanced greenhouse effect
CO2 emissions
Loss of habitats

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56
Q

Sustainable management methods

A

Logging + replanting
Education
Ecotourism
International agreements

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57
Q

What is ecotourism

A

Encourages sustainable tourism this them created jobs for local people
And money generated is used to protect and conserve the rainforest for future generations

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58
Q

What is international agreements

A

Agreements to protect the tropical rainforest made between countries through debt for natural swaps this means that if a country owes money they can agree to cancel part of the date of the agreement is made to ensure the consideration of tropical rainforests

59
Q

What is sustainable use of rainforests

A

Keeping the trees and biodiversity levels from falling and thinking of alternate ways to get what the rainforests has to offer without damaging it

60
Q

Positives of ecotourism

A

Creates jobs for locals
Money made to protect + conserve the rainforest for future generations

61
Q

Negatives of ecotourism

A

Spoiling regions ecosystems
Ruin natural habitats
Lead to conflicn

62
Q

What is selective logging + replanting

A

Logging of selected trees (mature trees) this ensures that when one fee is cut down another one is planted

63
Q

Positives of selective logging and replanting

A

Ensures rainforest canopy is preserved, allows forests to recover younger trees gain more space and sunlight

64
Q

Negatives of selective logging and replanting

A

Higher rates of forest fires
Tree fall
Soil compaction
Micro climate
Trees still cut down

65
Q

What is conservations and education

A

Education benifts biodiversity by informing people of the issues
Conservation is a moral philosophy Kobe,by on protecting species

66
Q

Positive of conservation and education

A

Peotcts species from extinction, enhanced ecosystems services
People can understand importance and help protect rainforests

67
Q

Negatives of conservation and education

A

Conservation may anger local people who belive they have right to use the rainforest (conflict)

68
Q

Positives of international agreements

A

Promotes sustainable lively food, reduce deforestation

69
Q

Negatives of international agreements

A

Might not use money for what had been promised

70
Q

What is debt reduction

A

Process of decrementing the total amount or payments

71
Q

Positives of debt reduction

A

Can use money to protect the rainforest

72
Q

Negative of debt reduction

A

Money made from not having to pay debt could be used in exploitation

73
Q

What is a desert

A

An area that receives less that 250mm of rainfall per year
Fluctuating temps of up to 50°c in the day to 0°c at night (due to lack of cloud cober(

74
Q

Where are deserts located

A

Ok the tropics
Sun tropical areas
North Africa
Middle East
Central Australia

75
Q

Where are deserts not located

A

West Europe

76
Q

What is the climate like in deserts

A

Very hot, dry
Little rainfall
2 distinct seasons

77
Q

What are plants like in the desert

A

Short growing cycle
Go without water for year s

78
Q

Example of plants In The desert

A

Cacti, tumble weed, wild flowers, orange trees

79
Q

Examples of animals in the desert

A

Mammals, birds, reptiles, lizards, insects , camels, snakes

80
Q

What are the soils like in the deserts

A

Desert soils are thin , Sandy rocksy, grey in colour, very dry - when it rains water soaks into the soil very fast surface of soil may appears crusty
Due to a lack of rainfall
Hot water is drain up to surface of the soil by evaporation

81
Q

How have plants adapted to the desert

A

Extremely long roots that to a long way into the soil to find water
Called ‘tap roots’
Other stores or water in leaves or stem (succulents)
Very Small leaves to avoid water loss in transpiration

82
Q

How is biodiversity in deserts

A

Large

83
Q

Where are the highest levels of biodiversity in the deserts

A

Ponds and rivers

84
Q

In the Amazon what is most of the mining for

A

Gold

85
Q

Why are cattle farmers constantly destroying more + more rainforest

A

Cattle farmers constantly burn down more and more forest as once the land is cleared it can’t be used for long without forest nourishment
The soil becomes dry and farmers move onto create new castle areas

86
Q

What are some types of plants grown in plantations (Amazon rainforest)

A

Bananas
Palm oil
Tea
Coffee

87
Q

Why is HEP An ideal energy source in the rainforest

A

It rains a lot

88
Q

Why are dams built for HEP have a short lifespan in the rainforest

A

River sediments slow doesn’t + sink which causes blockages

89
Q

Why does illegal trade in wildlife link to deforestation

A

Illegal wildlife trade is harming wild population of animals and plants and pushing endangered species toward extinction,
Links to deforestation as it leads to biodiversity loss giving them common effects

90
Q

Why are there loads of roads being build in the rainforest

A

So there is access for farmers, loggers and mines to enter the rainforest

91
Q

How can road building lead to further deforestation in rainforest

A

Road building leads to more deforestation as it opens large areas to mining and logging companies. Also causes fragmented habitats

92
Q

Why does Brazilian government offer land in the rainforest to poor form over crowded cities

A

To give more space in cities convince people to live there to develop land

93
Q

What is a food chain

A

Connection between different organisms that rely on one another as their food source

94
Q

What is the water cycle in the rainforest

A

Heavy daily conventional rain -> trees intercept rain -> some rain reaches ground - > trees take up water -> water evaporates

95
Q

Another word fro a secondary consumer

A

Carnivore

96
Q

4 layers of the rainforest

A

Emergent layer, canopy, understory, forest floor

97
Q

Adaptations of a fennec fox

A

Fur covered feet - protection against hot sand, pale fur - camouflage, panting helps regulate temperature, thunk fur adds additional protection from sun and keeps them warm during cold night

98
Q

Adaptions of cactus (xerophytes)

A

Stem green for photosynthesis
Spines instead of leaves - smaller SA so less water loss
Thick waxy skin, doesn’t loose water in transpiration
Can drink salt water
Long + wide spread roots to tap underground water stored deep underground
Grows quick + lives a long Time
Can grow to 15 M in height and store 800l of water units bulb
Tiny thorns so doesn’t get eaten

99
Q

What are some adaptations of a camel

A

Fat filled hump , so came, can survive when food is scarce
Thick shaggy fur as it is very cold in the desert at night
Two layers of eyelashes, bushy eyebrows to protect eyes from sand
Large nostrils that can open + close
Tough mouth with sharp teeth so they can eat prickley plants
Light fur to reflect the sun and keep it cool in the day , strong legs to help camel when walking across the desert
Two toes feet with leathery pads to they don’t sink in the hot sand
Leathers patches on knees, long legs keep bodies away from hot sand, can drink 100l of water and can go 17 days without a drink

100
Q

What are the positives of the canal indrigandi Wahar

A

Microclimate of the area has changed , sandstorms reduced ability to mitigate drought conditions has improved
Irrigates 500,000 hectors of land
Infertile desert to productive agricultural land - boosted local economy
Consistent + reliable harvest improved food supplies + security
Inland fishers which boost the food variety of the region

101
Q

What are the negative of the canal indrigandi wahar

A

Excessive irrigation - long term causes - water logging of land
Chemical fertilisers get into canal water - increase cancer rates as people drink water further down stream
Excessive use of water for irrigation resulted in salination

102
Q

What is salination

A

When salt water rises to the surface rendering the soil infertile

103
Q

What is desertification

A

The process by which land becomes drier and degraded as a result of climate change or human activities or both land to an unusable state

104
Q

Causes of desertification

A

Climate change - higher tends, less reliable rainfall
Population of semi dererg area increases
People collect more firewood
Lots of forest cover (desertification )
Land farmed more intensity takes nutrient out of soil, removes natural vegetation
Over grazing - higher numbers of people to feed - animals eat more of the vegetation

105
Q

Where is the Sahel

A

Region of north - central Africa south of the Sahara desert, north of the equator, continents of Africa and crosses countries such as Chad, Sudan
Boarders red seas + Atlantic Ocean

106
Q

What is the cycle of desertification

A

Amount of natural vegetation decreases
Interception isn’t possible, rain drops strikes soil and erodes it quicker
Soil is left exposed to hot sun
Sun bakes soil + cracks
When rain, rainwater runs over surface of the soil rather then soaking in
Soil can often by washed away
Soils is degraded losing fertility and structure
Soil is worn out / poor quality and it’s harder to grow crops or natural vegetation

107
Q

Ways to prevent desertification

A

Planting more trees, water management, magic stones, drip irrigation, improving the quality of the soil

108
Q

How does planting more trees prevent desertification

A

The roots of the trees hold the soil together and this helps to reduce soil erosion from wind and rain

109
Q

How does water management prevent desertification

A

Water can be stored in earth dams during wet seasons and then used to irrigate crops during dry seasons

110
Q

How does magic stones prevent desertification

A

This is a circle of stones placed in the ground to hold water on the soil rather than let it run quickly over the surface reduces soil errosion

111
Q

What is drip irrigation

A

Water drips slowly onto the ground from a windy hole in a hose lying on top of the soil

112
Q

How does drip irrigation prevent desertification

A

Minimises water loss
Maximises effectiveness
Can prevent water loss from evaporation and prevent salt accumulation

113
Q

How does improving the quality of the soil help prevent desertification

A

Encouraging people to reduce number of grazing animals amd grow crops instead
The animal manure can be used to fertilise crops grown
The quality of the soil will improve when growing by the roots of plants and protects from soil errosion

114
Q

Why is there desertification happening in Senegal and the Sahel

A

Global warming is damaging the soil
Climate change drives desertification

115
Q

What is the great green wall

A

An imagines green wall of 15km wide and up to 8000km long of trees bushes
From south of Sahara
From dijibouti in the north to senagal

116
Q

Types of plants used in the great green wall

A

Edible grass
Gumarabic

117
Q

Benefits of the great green wall

A

Stopping desertification and erosion
Political water sources
Create habitats for biodiversity
Provide energy resources
Support local economic development

118
Q

Where is the thar desert located

A

Asia (north west)
Countries of India, Pakistan
Majority found in india I’m the state of Rajasthan
That covers 200,000 km sq of the state

119
Q

What is the rainfall in the thar desert like

A

120-240 mm per year
Summer temperatures in July can reach highs of 50°c

120
Q

What is the thar desert like

A

Sandy hills
Extensive mobile fines and clumps of thorn forest vegetation
Mix of small trees, shrubs and grasses

121
Q

What is the soil like in the thar desert

A

Sandy
Not very fertile (there is little organic matter to enrich them)
The drain quickly so there is little surface water

122
Q

What is the population density in the thar desert

A

80 people per km sq

123
Q

Economic opportunities in the thar desert

A

Subsistence farming
Irrigation and commercial farming
Mining an industry
Tourism
Solar energy

124
Q

Why does the climate present huge challenges with subsistence farming in the thar desert

A

With unreliable rainfall and frequent droughts

125
Q

What are the most successful basic farming systems in the thar desert

A

Keeping a few animals on grassy areas and cultivating vegetables and fruit trees

126
Q

What is the Main form of irrigation in the thar desert

A

The indira ghandi canal
The canal was constructed in 1958 and has total length of 650km
2 main areas to benefit are centred on the cities om jodhpur and jaisalmer (3,500km^2 of land is under irrigation)

127
Q

What forms of crops in the thar desert is mainly in commercial farming

A

Wheat and cotton

128
Q

What does the indira gandri canal irrigate

A

Irrigated north and west karjasthan

129
Q

What is the mining industry like in the thar desert

A

The state of Rajasthan is rich in minerals
Desert regions has valuable reserves of gypsum (used to make plaster).
There are valuable reserves of stone in the area
Limestone is quarried for making cement
Valuable reserves of rock marble are quarried near jodhpur for use in the construction industry
Local hide and wool industries from a ready market for the live stoke that are reared in the area

130
Q

Tourism opportunities in the thar desert

A

Popular
Desert safaris on camels - particularly popular with foreigners as well as wealthy Indians from elsewhere in the country

131
Q

How do local people benefit from tourism in the thar desert

A

Acting as guides or looking after canals (job opportunities)

132
Q

Benefits of the thar desert national park

A

Protects 3000km of arid dry land and the endangered and rare wildlife that has adapted to its extreme conditions
(Helps to attract tourism)

133
Q

Solar energy in the thar desert

A

Vast expanse of the desert was used to produce solar energy (it could light up 5 of Asia’s most populated cities)
Government launched its national solar mission ($19 billion plan to generate 20,000 megawatts of solar electricity by 2022)

134
Q

Challenges in the thar desert

A

Extreme temps (can reach 53°C)
Rainfall is extremely low
Landscape (Sandy hills, dunes, thorn forest vegetation ect.)
Soils Sandy and not very fertile
Little surface water
High population density (compared to other deserts)
Lack of money
Salination
Lots of tourists damage fragile environment

135
Q

What is extreme temps a challenge in the thar desert

A

Course heat strokes, also can lead to infertile soil, less food can cause challenges with high population. As there isn’t enough food to feed everyone

136
Q

Why is population pressure a challenge in the thar desert

A

Most densely populated desert in the worLd and with the population still inc.
fragile ecosystems are placed under pressure through overgrazing and over cultivation
Causes desertification and affects the desert nutrient cycle

137
Q

Why is accessibility a challenge in the thar desert

A

Very extreme weather and the presence of vast barren area there is very limited road network across the thar desert
High temps can cause tarmac to melt and strong winds often blow sand over the roads
Many places are only accessible on camel

138
Q

What is salinisation

A

The deposition of solid salts on the ground surface following the evaporation of water

139
Q

What is overgrazing

A

The destruction of the protective vegetation cover by having too many animals grazing on it

140
Q

What is over cultivation

A

The excessive use of farmland to the point where productivity falls due to soil exhaustion or land degradation

141
Q

Why is water management and inaccessibility a challenge in the desert

A

Important aspect of people of the tar desert concerning natural resource management is water management
difficult to access water even with the canal still have to travel to it and blistering heat to get water
water is directly connected to agriculture given that without water is impossible to grow crops can impact economic situation of farmers the effect on agriculture also affects variety of nutritious nutritious food available many can’t grow needed vegetables and are forced to live on a minimal diet
increasing drought periods lead to even more increase demand on water excessive irrigation leads to waterlogging of the ground
when it happened salts poisonous to plants have been deposited on the ground surface and make the land unusable the consequences are low yields poor profit and starvation (salination )

142
Q

How is soil erosion a challenge in the thar desert

A

Over cultivation and overgrazing have damaged the vegetation in places leading to soil erosion by wind and rain
Thar desert is susceptible to harsh winds (once eroded this soil takes thousands of years to reform)

143
Q

How is fuel a challenge in the thar desert

A

Reserves of firewood, the main source of fuel are dwindling with the results that people are using manure as fuel rather than using it to improve the quality of soil

144
Q

How is tourism a challenge in the that desert

A

Culture may be diluted or new languages picked up
Thar desert is fragile and will suffer if tourism becomes overdeveloped
There have been 5 days festivals organised which received lots of environmentalists criticism

Geography - Physical (3 decks)

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