Sustaining Ecosystems Flashcards
What is an Ecosystem?
An area where living organisms (biotic) & non-living material (abiotic) interact with each other
What is a Biome?
A large scale ecosystem with unique plant & animal life
What is Flora?
Plants & vegetation
What is Fauna?
Animals
What is Biodiversity?
The amount and range of species within an area
What is Endemic?
Species only found in a certain area
What is Sustainable Development?
Meeting the economic needs of today’s people in a way that protects the environment for future generations.
What is Interdependence?
The reliance of life on other living things & the environment (water, air, soil)
Where can you find Coral Reefs?
South East Asia, Caribbean
Found between 30˚N&S of the equator.
How many countries have Coral Reefs?
109
What is the average ocean temp in coral reefs?
18˚C
What Flora is found in Coral reefs?
Sea Grasses
What Fauna is found in Coral Reefs?
The reefs themselves are coral polyps, an animal related to jellyfish.
They feed on plankton and make their shells which form the reef.
A high variety of fish, eels etc.
Where are Temperate Grasslands found?
Between 40˚and 60˚
E.g. North American Plains.
What Climate do Temperate Grasslands have?
Very hot summers up to 38˚C
Cold winters (up to -40˚C in Eurasian Steppe).
75% of rain in the summer
What Flora is found in Temperate Grasslands?
A range of grasses can grow up to 2 meters high.
Trees struggle except near rivers.
What Fauna is found in Temperate Grasslands?
Depending on continent = Bison, kangaroos, rabbits, wolves
Where are Tropical Grasslands found?
Between 5˚&30˚
E.g. African Savannah
What is the Climate of Tropical Grasslands?
A long dry season and a short wet season (80% of rain).
High annual temperature (average 25˚C)
What Flora is found in Tropical Grasslands?
Grasses that can grow up to 3 meters tall (elephant grass).
Limited trees except the well adapted Baobab or Acacia
What Fauna is found in Tropical Grasslands?
Hoofed animals such as the gazelle.
Large herbivores such as elephants and giraffes. Carnivores such as lions and cheetahs.
Where are Temperate Forests found?
Between 40˚ and 60˚
E.g. Western Europe, Eastern USA.
What is the climate of Temperate Forests/
Warm summers and mild winters. Average annual temperature of 10˚C Rainfall throughout the year.
Four distinct seasons.
What Flora is found in Temperate Forests?
Deciduous tress shed their leaves in autumn & winter.
Large trees such as oak and ash.
What Fauna is found in Temperate Forests?
Squirrels, deer, owls, bears such as the grizzly or black.
Where do you find Tropical Forests?
Within the Tropics of Cancer & Capricorn (23.5˚).
They now cover 6% of Earth’s land area.
What is the climate of Tropical Forests?
Hot and Wet.
AVG temperatures 27˚C with low range.
Rainfall = over 2,000mm per year.
What Flora is found in Tropical Forests?
Distinct layers from the forest flood to the emergents.
Flora race for sunlight by growing tall or adapting to a specific area.
What Fauna is found in Tropical Forests?
Depending on continent = jaguar, monkeys, apes, birds of paradise, insects.
Where do you find Hot Deserts?
30˚N&S of the equator.
What is the climate of Hot Deserts?
Day = Hot (over 30˚C) Night = Cold (lack of cloud cover). Very low rainfall 40mm per year.
What Flora is found in Hot Deserts?
Plants have to adapt to minimal water e.g. cacti.
What Fauna is found in Hot Deserts?
Camels (store water & fat in humps). Snakes, meerkats, some giraffes.
