Sustaining ecosystems Flashcards
What is an ecosystem?
A self-regulating community in which living things interact with each other and their environment.
What does interdependence mean?
All living factors are reliant on each other.
What are biotic factors?
The living parts of an ecosystem.
What are abiotic factors?
The non-living parts of an ecosystem.
What is biomass?
The total mass of plants and animals in an ecosystem or trophic level.
What is a biome?
A world scale ecosystem identified by vegetation type.
What is flora?
All plants in a community.
What is fauna?
All animals in a community.
Where are polar regions located?
In the north (Arctic) and south pole (Antarctica).
What is the climate like in polar regions?
Long, cold winters and short, cool summers; temperatures rarely rise above freezing.
Why do polar regions experience half the year in darkness?
Due to the tilt of the earth.
How does the climate differ between the Arctic and Antarctica?
The Arctic is much warmer than Antarctica due to the Gulf Stream.
What types of flora are found in the Arctic?
Low shrubs, mosses, grasses, and alpine-like flowering plants.
What mammals are found in the Arctic?
Polar bears, wolves, foxes, reindeer, walruses, and whales.
What is the plant life like in Antarctica?
Much less than the Arctic, with only 1% of the continent being ice-free.
What mammals are found in Antarctica?
Penguins and seals.
Where are tropical rainforests located?
Within the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.
What is the climate like in tropical rainforests?
High temperatures and constant conditions throughout the year, with no seasons.
What is the annual rainfall in tropical rainforests?
Very high, due to the meeting of trade winds at the ITCZ.
What is the vegetation like in tropical rainforests?
Mainly consists of trees, with layers including emergent, canopy, under canopy, and shrub layer.
What adaptations do trees in tropical rainforests have?
Thin trunks, buttress roots, dark green leaves with drip-tips, and vine-like plants called lianas.
Where are coral reefs located?
Within 30° north and south of the equator, in tropical oceans.
What is the climate like in coral reefs?
Warm water all year round, needs to be clear and shallow.
What types of flora are found in coral reefs?
Algae on coral and sea grass.
What fauna are found in coral reefs?
Thousands of coral polyps, fish, starfish, turtles, and eels.
Where are tropical grasslands located?
Between 5° and 30° north and south of the equator.
What is the climate like in tropical grasslands?
High temperatures with a longer dry season and a shorter wet season.
What flora is found in tropical grasslands?
Baobab trees with large swollen stems and trunk to retain moisture.
What fauna are found in tropical grasslands?
Hoofed animals like gazelles, elephants, giraffes, and predators like cheetahs and lions.
Where are temperate grasslands located?
In the center of continents.
What is the climate like in temperate grasslands?
Cooler than tropical grasslands, with very hot summers and very cold winters.
What flora is found in temperate grasslands?
Shorter vegetation with some trees along river valleys.
What fauna are found in temperate grasslands?
Bison, kangaroos, and antelopes.
Where are temperate forests located?
Between 40° and 60° north and south of the equator.
What is the climate like in temperate forests?
Four seasons of equal length with high rainfall throughout the year.
What flora is found in temperate forests?
Deciduous trees like oak, elm, and sycamore.
What fauna are found in temperate forests?
Black bears, squirrels, owls, and pigeons.
Where are hot deserts located?
Around the tropic of Capricorn and Cancer.
What is the climate like in hot deserts?
High temperatures during the day and freezing at night.
What flora is found in hot deserts?
Cacti and yucca, which are resistant to lack of water.
What fauna are found in hot deserts?
Small nocturnal animals, camels, meerkats, and rattlesnakes.
What is nutrient cycling in rainforests?
Rapid cycling due to hot and damp forest floor, enabling quick decomposition.
What is the water cycle in rainforests?
Rainforests produce their own rainfall through convectional rainfall.
What is the soil profile in tropical rainforests?
Soils called latosols, generally shallow and lack nutrients.
What are goods produced by tropical rainforests?
Fruits, nuts, oils, flavourings, fibres, wood, gums, and medicine.
What are services provided by tropical rainforests?
Carbon sink, water cycle maintenance, flood risk reduction, and habitat provision.
What are the pros and cons of logging?
Pros: money and timber production. Cons: deforestation and habitat damage.
What are the pros and cons of cattle ranching?
Pros: low risk and high demand. Cons: deforestation and CO2 emissions.
What are the pros and cons of palm oil plantations?
Pros: money and goods production. Cons: deforestation and land destruction.
What are the pros and cons of mineral extraction?
Pros: money for infrastructure. Cons: soil and water contamination.
What are the pros and cons of tourism?
Pros: income for indigenous people. Cons: deforestation and harm to organisms.
What are the pros and cons of dam building and hydroelectric power?
Pros: renewable energy. Cons: displacement of people and flooding.
What are the pros and cons of road construction?
Pros: improved living standards. Cons: deforestation and habitat destruction.
What is the case study of sustainable management in Costa Rica?
Donations improve living conditions, laws prevent deforestation, and ecotourism provides income.
Where is Antarctica located?
In the south pole, mainly covered in ice.
Where is the Arctic located?
In the north pole, with a vast ocean in its center.
What are the impacts of human activity on Antarctica?
Scientific research and whaling have significant effects.
What are the impacts of human activity on the Arctic?
Indigenous exploitation, mineral extraction, and illegal fishing affect the ecosystem.
What are the guidelines for sustainable tourism in polar regions?
Bio-secure ships, distance from wildlife, and visitor limits to protect the environment.
