sustaining eco systems Flashcards
what is an eco system
a unit that includes all the biotic parts and the abiotic parts in an area interacting
what is a consumer
an organism that gets its energy by eating other organisms.
what is a decomposer
an organism that gets its energy by breaking down dead material eg fallen leaves
what does the climate in an area in determine
determines what type of eco system forms
where are coral reefs found
30 degrees north and south of the equator, a few miles of the coast.
where are temperate forests found
found mainly in mid latitudes between the tropic and polar regions. eg Europe
where is grassland found
tropical savannah grassland are found between the tropics.
temperate grassland are found at mid latitudes
where are tropical rainforests found
found around the equator near the tropics
where are hot deserts found
found between 15 degrees and 35 degrees north and south of the equator
where are polar regions found
north and south poles
what is the climate like in hot deserts
very little rainfall - less than 250mm per year.
extreme temperatures - very hot in day to cold at night
what plants are found in hot deserts
is sparse due to lack of rainfall
cacti and thornbushes
plants roots are very long to reach deep water supplies
what is the climate like in polar climates
very cold - usually less than 10 degrees. winters usually below 40 degrees
low rainfall
what plants are found in polar regions
lichens and mosses and grass
they grow slowly and not tall
what is the climate like in temperate forests
four distinct seasons
very high rainfall - up to 1500mm per year
