Sustaining Ecosystems

Question 1

Biome definition?

Answer 1

Area that exhibits same characteristics e.g. climate, flora, fauna, landscape

Question 2

What are 2 characteristics of polar/arctic flora and explain?

Answer 2

Shallow roots - minimal nutrients in thin soil
Small leaves - limit transpiration and water loss

Question 3

Ecosystem definition

Answer 3

Natural area where plants, animals and other abiotic/biotic components interact with each other

Question 4

Biotic meaning

Answer 4

Living organism or deriving from living organism e.g. dead carcass or faeces

Question 5

Abiotic meaning

Answer 5

Not derived from living organism e.g. rocks/sunlight/weather

Question 6

Tropical rainforest definition

Answer 6

Area of abundant forest growth with annual rainfall exceeding 2000mm

Question 7

Explain stages of nutrient cycle?

Answer 7

Question 8

Why is nutrient cycle important in rainforest? (3)

Answer 8

Ensures that all layers of rainforest receive necessary nutrients allowing for interdependence.
Speed of cycle allows for survival - poor soil quality
Also necessary to ensure plant growth continues for animals to eat.

Question 9

How are climate and plants interdependent in tropical rainforest systems? (3)

Answer 9

2000mm annually, 27 degrees and 80% humidity all year round (because no seasons)
Creates large water supply for photosynthesis
Causes fast evapo-transpiration
Creates convection rainfall - hot air rises, cools, condenses and precipitation
Creates cumulonimbus clouds - thunderstorms and intense rainfall

Question 10

Explain soil in tropical rainforests?

Answer 10

Poor quality:
Latosol soil (red/brown containing iron oxide, slightly acidic, very permeable allowing for leaching)
Low levels of nutrients (quickly decomposed organic matter does not remain in soil - surface runoff and leaching)

Question 11

What are the 5 layers to a tropical rainforest?

Answer 11

Ground layer
Shrub layer
Under canopy
Canopy
Emergent layer

Question 12

What latitude are rainforests found at?

Answer 12

Near the equator

Question 13

Difference between rainforest goods and services?

Answer 13

Goods are tangible products which can be taken
Services are essential for life to survive

Question 14

How do rainforests provide valuable services?

Answer 14

Source of freshwater
Carbon sink
Tree and plant roots hold soil together slowing soil erosion

Question 15

How are rainforests valuable to humans?

Answer 15

Contain valuable goods such as:
Rainforest plants and herbs used in medicines
Contain valuable minerals such as gold and iron ore
Everyday products such as timber, sugar and rubber

Question 16

Explain human activity/impact in Arctic

Answer 16

Arctic tourism: income and jobs but littering, revenue outflow and trampling
Arctic fishing: global market and income from exporting but overfishing making species endangered and illegal fishing operations
Mineral extraction: income from exports but revenue outflow, oil spills and impact migration routes

Question 17

Reasons for Arctic and Antarctic climates being different?

Answer 17

Currents - Arctic receives some Gulf Stream
Size - Antarctica is much bigger so no moisture when reach centre
Altitude - Antarctica is thick ice above continental land mass while Arctic is at sea level
Winds - katabatic winds on Antarctica (from high pressure on plateau down steep cliffs to low pressure at end of ice sheets)