The Living World

Question 1

What is an ecosystem?

Answer 1

A community of plants and animals that interact with each other and their physical environment

Question 2

What is an abiotic factor?

Answer 2

Non living components of an ecosystem

Question 3

What is a biotic factor?

Answer 3

A living component of an ecosystem

Question 4

What is a consumer?

Answer 4

An organism that gets its energy by eating other organisms

Question 5

What is a producer?

Answer 5

An organism that uses sunlight to produce food

Question 6

What is a decomposer?

Answer 6

An organism that gets energy by breaking down dead material

Question 7

Explain the nurturing nutrient cycle.

Answer 7

Dead material is decomposed, nutrients is released, nutrients is used up by soil and plants, they die and get decomposed again

Question 8

What are the characteristics of a grassland?

Answer 8

Distinct dry and wet seasons
Most vegetation is grasses

Question 9

What are the characteristics of a tundra?

Answer 9

Found at high latitudes
Winters are cold
Summers are brief
Common permafrost

Question 10

Characteristics of hot desert?

Answer 10

Found north or south of equator were there is lots of heat but low rainfall
Hot during day
Very cold at night

Question 11

Name and describe four adaptations in the rainforest.

Answer 11

Drip tip leaves - water to drip off during heavy rainfall
Buttresses - ridges in trunk support base of tree and increase surface area
Lianas - woods creepers rooted to the ground but carried by trees into the canopy where they flower
Fast growing trees like kapok

Question 12

What are the characterises of a rainforest?

Answer 12

The climate is the same all year round
Very hot with high rainfall - 2000mm per year
Infertile soil as nutrients is washed away
Many adaptations in plants and animals
Home to many indigenous tribes

Question 13

Explain the interdependence of the rainforest.

Answer 13

Dead material is decomposed quickly due to hot conditions
Nutrient cycling is key and there are many symbiotic relationships
Human Changes can have knock on effects
Trees take up lots of water and release it into atmosphere for more rain

Question 14

Describe the biodiversity in a rainforest.

Answer 14

Very high biodiversity
Contain around 50% of worlds species
Stable and production environment for species
Evolved to depend on a few species for survival

Question 15

What is biodiversity?

Answer 15

The variety of organisms living in a particular area

Question 16

What is the case study for tropical rainforests?

Answer 16

Malaysia rainforest

Question 17

What are the characteristics of a cold environment?

Answer 17

Winter temp below -50c
Low precipitation
Soils are covered permanently in ice
Plants like mosses and lichens are found around fringes
Polar bears and other animals highly adapted to the climate

Question 18

How has the bearberry adapted to the climate?

Answer 18

Low growing - prevents damage by strong winds
Thick stem - stability in wind
Leathery leaves - retain water
Hairy stems - retain heat
Bright red berries - so they are eaten and seeds are distributed

Question 19

What is the cold environment case study?

Answer 19

Svalbard

Question 20

Why are cold environments so fragile?

Answer 20

Easily damaged by human activity and can take a long time to recover due to its harsh conditions

Question 21

What are some examples of how cold environments have been damaged ?

Answer 21

Oil pipeline leaks
Off road vehicle damage

Question 22

Why do cold environments need to be protected?

Answer 22

Many indigenous people live a traditional life
Unpolluted and unspoilt environments
Home to many species of wildlife
Opportunity for lots of research - carbon sink record
Opportunity for forestry and fishing

Question 23

Outline the reasons how risk from economic development can be reduced in cold environments?

Answer 23

The use of technology
Action by governments
Conservation groups

Question 24

What is technology doing to benefit cold environments?

Answer 24

The trans Alaskan pipeline pumps oil across Alaska
Pipeline passed beneath rivers to minimise impact
Pipeline is raised and insulated to prevent heat thawing ice
Pipeline can slide if earthquakes happen
Pipeline is raised so wildlife can move underneath

Question 25

What is an ecmaple of how and why international agreements benefit cold environments?

Answer 25

For example Antarctic treaty that recognises the importance of the continent for scientific research

Question 26

What are conservation groups doing to help cold environments?

Answer 26

WWF works with local communities to manage critical ecosystem.
Supports scientific research to help protect important species

Question 27

What is the role of governments on the protection of cold environments?

Answer 27

Make lawns to protect cold environments from exploitation

Question 28

What are some arguments for the protection of cold environments?

Answer 28

Wilderness areas are fragile and easily damaged
They are full of delicate ecosystems and flora
Untouched environments form important areas for research

Question 29

What’s re some arguments against the protection of cold environments?

Answer 29

Rich in resources that are crucial to society
Tech allows exploitation with little impact e.g trans Alaskan pipeline

Question 30

What is an example of change to a small scale ecosystem?

Answer 30

Avington park lake, Winchester, Hampshire
Restoration was carried out to the lake with the aim being to restore the landscape but preserve and improve its function as habitat for birds.
It was desilted and redefined and new waterside habaitats were created