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GCSE Edexcel geography 2 > T7 People And The Biosphere > Flashcards

T7 People And The Biosphere Flashcards

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1
Q

Climate

A

The long-term average weather conditions of an area. Affect the type of biome.

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2
Q

Biome

A

A large-scale global ecosystem with distinctive vegetation.

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3
Q

Ecosystem

A

Abiotic and biotic factors within an area and their interactions.

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4
Q

Describe the distribution of the worlds biomes

A

Tropical rainforests are located either side of the equator in Alinia. They are generally found 15° north and south of the equator. key locations could be South America West Africa and Southeast Asia. Despite this, there are no tropical rainforest in Africa even though it’s on the equator.

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5
Q

Tropical rainforest ecosystem climate and characteristics

A

Climate:
Hot (due to equatorial sunshine)(25-28°C) and humid w high precipitation (2000mm) all year round > no seasons.
Day length same all year round.
characteristics:
Evergreen trees growing quickly and adapted to receiving most light.
Dense vegetation provides much food for wide food web.
Nutrient rich shallow soil due to fast decomposition and leaching.

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6
Q

Temperate forest climate and characteristics

A

4 distinct seasons w warm summers/cold winters.
High rainfall.
Shorter winter days and longer summer days.
Supports fewer plant species than tropical but more than boreal. Broad leafed, deciduous woodland
Thick, nutrient rich soil

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7
Q

Taiga climate and characteristics

A

Short summers and long cold winters below -20°C, low precipitation, clear skies.
Evergreen plants w coniferous trees like pine or fir. Low biodiversity and productivity, thin, nutrient poor, acidic soil.

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8
Q

Tropical grassland climate and characteristics

A

Low rainfall, wet and dry seasons. (Ranges between 35°C and 15°C) found around equator.
Grass, scrub and small plants. Thin, nutrient rich soil (leaching occurs in wet seasons)

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9
Q

Temperate grasslands climate and characteristics

A

Hot summers and cold winters (between 40°C and -40°C) low precipitation. Far from equator so sunlight varies.
Dominated by grass and small plants w fewer species than tropical. Thick and nutrient rich soil.

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10
Q

Desert climate and characteristics

A

V hot temperatures in day (45°C) and cold at night (0°C). Low precipitation (<250mm annually). Area of high atmospheric pressure w clear skies for maximal sunshine.
Sparse plant growth and little animal species due to harsh conditions and lack of precipitation.
Little leaf litter, dry conditions mean little decomposition and so thin and nutrient poor soil.

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11
Q

Tundra climate and conditions

A

Located at higher altitudes low temperatures and little rainfall. Continuous daylight in summer and little in winter.
Coldness and lack of sunlight mean few plant species and so animal species who eat vegetation.
Little leaf litter, low precipitation, temperature and permafrost layer produces thin and nutrient poor soil.

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12
Q

Local factors affecting biome type

A

Altitude
Rock type
Soil type
Drainage
Sea distance
Latitude
Prevailing winds

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13
Q

How does altitude affect biomes

A

Higher altitude= lower temp (100m up =-1°C)
Exposure to wind and relief rainfall
Steeper slopes= thinner soil
Hardier species as reach higher altitudes
Temps accommodate different species, allowing for gradient in biotic factors

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14
Q

Relief rainfall

A

When warm, moist air forming clouds condenses at mountains before warming, descending to form a rain shadow.

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15
Q

Rock type effect on biome

A

Permeability links to drainage factors
Erosion rates affect plant growth
Soil type

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16
Q

How does soil type affect biomes

A

Nutrient cycle
Facilitation of animals/plants
Fertility and so frequency of plant types

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17
Q

How does drainage affect biomes

A

Impermeability leads to waterlogged land, preventing plant growth and leading to swamp/ bog ecosystems w specialist vegetation

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18
Q

How does latitude affect biomes

A

Distance from equator affects atmospheric pressure and so temperature/climate of each biome.

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19
Q

How does sea distance affect biome

A

Smallest range of temperatures closest to the sea as ocean changes temp slowly
Landlocked countries have greater temp ranges

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20
Q

How does prevailing winds affect biome

A

Land prevailing wind provides warmer summers and colder winters
Ocean prevailing winds provide warmer winters and cooler summers

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21
Q

Biotic

A

Living components of an ecosystem

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22
Q

Abiotic

A

Non-living components of an ecosystem

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23
Q

Biodiversity

A

Variety of biotic components in an ecosystem

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24
Q

Goods provided by the biosphere

A

Food (natural vegetation used by indigenous people, sustainable harvesting of berries, nuts and fruits, fish/meat)
Medicine (medicinal properties of plants like Madagascan periwinkle cure illness)
Building materials (timber exploitation, straw for roofing/insulation)
Fuel (wood from trees/shrubs, dried dung burnt, biofuels, indigenous use animal fat)

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25
Q

Services provided by the biosphere

A

Global atmospheric circulation (trees/animals exchange gases so organisms can breathe, preventing global warming, lowering pH of oceans, controlling earth temp)
Hydrological cycle (plant uptake decreases flooding and soil erosion, slowly releasing water into atmosphere)
Nutrient cycle (provided by rotting material, maintaining soil structure/fertility, allowing plant growth, interception prevents leaching)

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26
Q

Characteristics of the rainforest

A

Climate is the same all year round with no definite seasons, hot (20-28°C and wet (2000mm rainfall annually) equatorial climates, high level of plant adaptations and biodiversity, dense and lush vegetation, evergreen trees, constant supply of nutrients in the soil which is cycled quickly

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27
Q

Convectional rainfall

A

Rising, warm pockets of air that cool and condense to form clouds that produce heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.

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28
Q

Layers of rainforest

A

Forest floor (bottom)
Shrub layer
Understory layer
Canopy layer
Emergent layer

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29
Q

Emergent layer

A

Hardwood, evergreen trees that have broken through dense canopy layer below to reach sunlight.
Monkey/bird habitat

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30
Q

Canopy layer

A

Dense layer, habitat to tree snakes, birds, tree frogs… as there’s much food available.

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31
Q

Understory layer

A

Young trees with large leaves capture sunlight and are habitat to many insects

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32
Q

Shrub layer

A

Dark area/ habitat to shade-loving plants and animals.

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33
Q

Adaptation

A

Change/development to suit/ survive the environment

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34
Q

Lianas

A

Woody vines w roots in ground, climb up trees to reach sunlight, growing in canopy.

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35
Q

Trunks

A

Tall and thin to allow trees to reach sunlight. Smooth bark allows water to flow down to roots much faster.

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36
Q

Drip tips

A

Waxy, smooth cuticles and pointed tips maximise water shedding so as to prevent water accumulation which leads to water-borne bacteria transmission and rotting.

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37
Q

Buttress roots

A

Large roots with ridges create a large surface area to support large trees.

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38
Q

Epiphytes

A

Plants that live on branches of trees high in the canopy, receiving nutrients from air and water.
(Symbiotic relationship)

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39
Q

Sloth adaptations

A

Large claws allow grip to hang upside down
Fur grows away from feet to shed water
Green algae allows camouflage from predators
Slow movement is difficult to spot from predators

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40
Q

Primate adaptations

A

Tail allows balance for climbing
Long strong limbs aid in climbing through forest.

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41
Q

Nutrient cycle

A

How nutrients are transferred around an ecosystem.

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42
Q

Rainforest nutrient cycle

A

Rapid as hot/damp conditions speed up rate of decomposition of dead plant material, providing plentiful nutrients easily absorbed by plant roots.
Are cycled quickly due to high demand for nutrients and plant leaching.

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43
Q

Food chain

A

Succession of organisms that eat another organism, supported by the main producer.

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44
Q

Trophic level

A

The position an organism occupies in the food chain

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45
Q

Tropical rainforest food webs

A

Complex as there is a high biodiversity and therefore a multitude of animals within/between trophic levels. Wide range of biotic factors enable symbiosis and interactions.

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46
Q

Reasons for deforestation

A

Transmigration
HEP
mining
Timber
Crop growth
Cattle farming

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47
Q

How is deforestation identified in TRF

A

GIS
Geographical information systems

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48
Q

How does poverty lead to deforestation

A

developing countries use TRF for agriculture and sustenance farming

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49
Q

How does debt lead to deforestation

A

Countries profit from TRF exports to relieve national debt

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50
Q

How does development lead to deforestation

A

TRF sacrificed to build infrastructure for countries wealth and economic development

51
Q

Economic impacts of deforestation

A

Short ten economic gain
Revenue used for development
Soil erosion decreases agricultural profit

52
Q

Social impacts of deforestation

A

Loss of traditional culture
Loss of indigenous tribe land
Loss of potential medicine
Unsustainable use leads to resource loss

53
Q

Environmental impacts of deforestation

A

Soil erosion
Less trees, less transpiration leads to drought and forestry death
Loss of animal habitats leads to extinction

54
Q

Sustainable

A

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future

55
Q

Sustainable logging and replantation

A

Selective logging of mature forestry preserves canopy while allowing TRF recovery as younger trees gain space and sunlight. Also ensures every tree lost is another planted.

56
Q

Methods of sustainable exploitation

A

Sustainable logging and replantation
Education
Ecotourism
International agreements
Agro-forestry
Slash and burn

57
Q

Ecotourism

A

Encouragement of sustainable tourism increases employment and uses profit to protect and conserve

58
Q

International agreements to increase sustainability

A

Debt-for-nature swaps involve one country’s cancelling of another’s debt in turn for TRF conservation.

59
Q

Agro-forestry

A

Multicropping for a constant nutrient cycle

60
Q

Slash and burn

A

Cut and burn forestry, leaving nutrient rich soil to harvest crops before moving on when infertile

61
Q

Global actions to protect rainforest

A

CITES
REDD

62
Q

CITES

A

Convention on international trade in endangered species, working against exploitation of TRF resources in low supply/ endangered species by legally requiring countries to prevent over-exploitation of resources

63
Q

Positives of CITES

A

Legally binding to 183 parties
Protects species and reduces extinction
Across borders (multilateral)

64
Q

Negatives of CITES

A

Requires international cooperation as crosses borders so can be difficult to reinforce.
Implementation varies nationally as parties adopt own domestic legislation

65
Q

REDD

A

Reducing emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation, works internationally across borders to reduce emissions as a result of deforestation or forest degradation.

66
Q

Positives of REDD

A

Provides monetary incentives to investors, therefore fitting in with competitive market place
Mitigates climate change
Increases biodiversity and watershed
Dependent on local communities as creates sustainable social benefits and a political voice.

67
Q

Negatives of REDD

A

Requires further investment
Rainforest ownership is often unclear
Carbon fraud and corruption
Strict monitoring required

68
Q

Location of Taiga

A

Higher latitudes between 50° north and arctic circle where sun’s rays are weaker.

Eg. Canada, Russia..etc

69
Q

Taiga characteristics

A

Evergreen plants w coniferous woodland (eg. Pine and fir)
Low biodiversity (smaller food web and so low productivity)
Thin, nutrient-poor, acidic soil due to needles, sub-zero temperatures and lack of sunlight slows rate of decomposition

70
Q

Coniferous trees adaptations

A

Cone shape and flexible branches maximise precipitation shed so as to prevent damage.
Tall and narrow, dense canopy.
Acidic pine needles decompose to form acidic soil, preventing other plant growth decreasing nutrients in soil.
Waxy coating on needles prevents forest damage and limits water loss
Shallow roots support tree but don’t enter permafrost layer beneath

71
Q

Taiga nutrient cycle

A

Slow due to:
Low precipitation and cold weather reduces chemical weathering.
Waxy needles decompose slowly and so release nutrients slowly.
Small biomass store as trees grow over limited time period.
Litter is largest store as pine needles decay slowly in cold/dry temps

72
Q

Threats to taiga:

A

Polluted water
Wildfires
Carbon emissions
Flooding
Tar sands
Commercial exploitation
HEP dams

73
Q

Tar sands

A

Mixture of fossil fuel oil and sediment mined and heated for oil.

Deforestation to extract and develop infrastructure.
Cover 150000 km squared of taiga (holding 1.7 trillion barrels of oil)
Toxic waste produced
Destroys forest and ecosystem, using up 2-4 tonnes of water for every 1 tonne of oil

74
Q

Commercial exploitation

A

Taiga softwood is global main source of softwood timber
Clearcutting for construction/paper mills
Illegal logging doesn’t replant

75
Q

HEP dams

A

Much energy produced (income)
Floods large area of taiga, releasing toxic waste into water supplies
Migration route disruption

76
Q

Those in favour of taiga protection, why?

A

Environmentalists, indigenous groups, scientists

Fragile ecosystem that takes long time to recover (plants grow slowly due to long, cold winters and nutrient lack)
Low biodiversity so small change has large impact
Carbon sink
Indigenous cultural importance

77
Q

Those in favour of exploitation, why?

A

Businesses, government, residents

Valuable resources aid economic development locally and nationally
Medicines lead to new cures
Employment opportunities and income to isolated areas
Exports boost GDP
Exploitation affects fraction of vast biome
Renewable exploitation possible

78
Q

Renewable forms of exploitation

A

Conservation statuses
Sustainable forestry
National parks

79
Q

Conservation statuses

Positives?

Negatives?

A

Reserve areas of global importance, enforcing additional protection and conservation
Provides funding to protect species from hunting, development or pollution
/ difficult to reinforce (particularly over vast landscapes)
Funding source?

80
Q

National parks

Positives

Negatives

A

Preserve taiga ecosystems and biodiversity by researching abiotic/biotic components of ecosystem.
Serves as tourist destination (employment and revenue)
/large predators can’t survive in small landscapes, tourists want to see large predators so will leave, tourists damage ecosystem (‘human wildlife conflict occurrences’?), migrating species left unprotected, government under pressure to develop gdp,

81
Q

Sustainable forestry

Positives?

Negatives?

A

Trees that are cut down and replanted with native taiga species and forestry carefully managed.

Allows migration through preservation of wildlife corridors/habitats
/ expensive, long term planning needed, narrows biodiversity w commercially valuable trees planted.

82
Q

Taiga and TRF

similarities

Differences

A

Wide-scale deforestation
Carbo sink aid
Exploitation of resources

Large vs small biodiversity
Arid vs humid climates

83
Q

3 general threats to world’s biomes

A

Pests
Wildfires
Acid rain

84
Q

Acid rain impacts

Climate change impact?

A

Acidification of water bodies/soil causes animal species to die
Limestone and soil erosion.

More pollutants released further worsens effects

85
Q

Wildfires impacts

Climate change effects

A

Hot and dry summers/ storms lead to deforestation, pollution, regeneration of forestry w nutrient rich soil.

Drier and warmer summers will worsen impacts and forests won’t be given chance to regenerate properly, fire-tolerant species will dominate while other species will die (or go extinct)

86
Q

Pests impacts

Global warming effects?

A

Disease and damage to ecosystems reduces commercial value of forestry, alter ecosystem, reduces biodiversity due to competition, storms cause insects to infest new areas.

Global warming improves living conditions of pests so will be able to live higher up, storm frequency will be higher

87
Q

Physical resources

A

Natural materials found below the earth’s surface, soil and rock.

88
Q

Energy resources

A

Resources used specifically for heat.
(Eg fossil fuels, coal, gas, oil can be burnt to drive generators to create electricity). Domestically or industrially consumed.

Most valuable resource globally.

89
Q

Mineral resources

A

Materials quarried or mined from the ground in raw form and then heated and purified to become usable materials.

90
Q

Biological resources

A

Resources with a biological origin, trees and vegetation or crops.

91
Q

Flow resources

A

Renewable resources

Eg. Wind, solar, HEP, tidal…

92
Q

Recyclable resources

A

Reusable resources like biofuels and nuclear power.

93
Q

Stock resources

A

Non-renewable, finite stores

Eg. Fossil fuels

94
Q

Factors affecting a country’s production of energy

A

Geology
Tectonic plates
Relief
Climate
Development

95
Q

Geology effect on energy production

A

Fossil fuels found in sedimentary rocks are major sources of energy.

96
Q

Tectonic plate impact on energy production

A

Plate boundaries provide access to geothermal energy. Volcanic heat stored in magma heats water to generate electricity.

97
Q

Relief effect on energy production

A

High rainfall and suitable relief have HEP. Large volumes of water can travel down valleys enabling dam construction.

98
Q

Climate effect on energy production

A

Wind allows for wind energy.
Long hours of sunlight allows for solar panels.

99
Q

Development effect on energy production

A

Investment and use of new tech allows development of new energy resources.

100
Q

Environmental impacts of energy generation

A

Acid rain (acidification of oceans, water sources, soil)
Air pollution
Animal extinction
Landscape scarring
Oil spills
Deforestation
Climate change

101
Q

Why has oil consumption increased

A

Industrialisation
Globalisation
Transport increase
Tech development
Trade links
Higher disposable income
Population rise
Urbanisation

102
Q

Reasons behind Oil price fluctuations

A

Supply and demand
Movement of money
Exogenous shocks
Alternative energy resources
Market speculation
Oil supply capping

103
Q

Energy security

A

Lack of dependency on oil producing nations, therefore leaving you less vulnerable to oil price shocks. Secure and rapid energy flow is vital to rapid economic growth.

104
Q

Positives to ESPO pipeline

A

Increases energy security
Decreases dependent on the Middle Eastern oil
Aids economic growth
Less Malacca strait pirate attacks
Expands energy supply options
More rapid pipeline

105
Q

Negatives to ESPO pipeline

A

Russia sees China as a potential threat so is reluctant to commit to large energy supply.
Russian history of switching off energy supplies upon international strains.

106
Q

OPEC

A

Organisation of petroleum exporting countries.
Responsible for 40% of world’s oil, controlling 80% of it.

107
Q

Conventional sources

A

Traditional/ usual methods of fossil fuel extraction such as oil and gas which are running out.

108
Q

Unconventional

A

New and different methods of oil extraction

109
Q

Fracking

A

Hydraulic fracturing involves pumping water (mixed with chemicals) at high pressure into the ground to break shale rock layers which then release natural gas.

110
Q

Positives of fracking

A

Doubles global energy availability
Less polluting compared to other fuels (eg coal)
Employment
Increase energy security

111
Q

Negatives of fracking

A

Chemicals can leak and damage/poison local environment.
Tremors
Shale only forms in some areas
Much water is wasted.
Leads to further oil drilling

112
Q

Eco-footprint

A

Measure of area of land needed to:
Provide all resources and services consumed, absorb all waste produced

113
Q

Ways to reduce energy demand

A

Energy efficiency
Energy demand/conservation

114
Q

BedZED

A

Beddington zero energy development
Low flow taps and dual flush toilets
Treated waste water for toilets
Green and public transport
Planted rooves and passive ventilation

115
Q

Hybrid buses

A

Low emission public transport running on fuel or battery

116
Q

Congestion charge

A

Vehicle fee going into London, reducing drivers and idle cars

117
Q

Road tax

A

Bigger engines have higher taxes, encouraging people to buy cars with smaller engines.

118
Q

Boris bikes

A

Encourages cycling
Inaccessible and dangerous

119
Q

Methods to increase energy security

A

Efficiency
Conservation
Local/renewable energy
Diversification of resources
Infrastructure and transport of energy

120
Q

Factors affecting energy security

A

Exogenous factors
Technological advancement
Conservation
Resources
Reserve supply
Diversification

121
Q

Hydrogen fuel cells
Positives
Negatives

A

Clean, no greenhouse gases/pollution, efficient

Energy needed to produce hydrogen gas from water w fossil fuels
Hard to store safely

122
Q

Biofuels
Positives

Negatives

A

Fewer toxins/emissions
Cheaper than fossil fuels
Reusing waste

Much water and land needed to grow
Deforestation

123
Q

HEP

A

Reliable and consistent
Flexible production
Conserves water supplies

Expensive
Spoil natural landscape
Farmland displacement
Impact ecosystem

GCSE Edexcel geography 2 (8 decks)

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