the living world

Question 1

what is an ecosystem?

Answer 1

an ecosystem is a natural system made up of relationships between biotic and abiotic factors.

Question 2

name a small scale eco system

Answer 2

the school pond

Question 3

what is a producer

Answer 3

producers convert energy to make there own food.

Question 4

name an example of a producer

Answer 4

any form of plants
EG pond weed; grass

Question 5

what is a consumer

Answer 5

a consumer is an organism which gains energy by eating producers

Question 6

name an example of a consumer

Answer 6

insects

Question 7

what is a decomposer

Answer 7

a decomposer breaks down dead plant and animal matter to return the nutrients to the soil

Question 8

example of a decomposer

Answer 8

worm

Question 9

what is a food chain

Answer 9

shows the direct links between producers and consumers in an ecosystem

Question 10

what is a food web

Answer 10

shows the interrelationship between food chains

Question 11

nutrient cycling

Answer 11

dead plant or animal matter decompose into the soil and the nutrients are recycled back up into the plant via the roots

Question 12

what is a global scale change to an ecosystem

Answer 12

climate change

Question 13

what is a local scale change to an eco system

Answer 13

changes to habitats EG when a bush is removed

Question 14

name some physical changes to an ecosystem

Answer 14

earth quakes
droughts
poor weather conditions

Question 15

human effects on ecosystems

Answer 15

agriculture; fertiliser
forests/woods felled down
hedgerows removed

Question 16

characteristics of tropical rainforests

Answer 16

close to the equator
high temperatures
heavy rainfall
humid
6% earths land surface
most biodiverse
1/4 of all medicines
infertile soil

Question 17

characteristics of deserts

Answer 17

30 degrees north or south of equator
1/5 of worlds land surface
no clouds
high daytime temp
low night time temp

Question 18

characteristics of polar regions

Answer 18

arctic/antarctica
very low temp (-50 degrees C)
dry

Question 19

characteristics of deciduous and coniferous forests

Answer 19

50-60 degrees north of the equator
shed leaves in winter to retain moisture
uk is mostly deciduous
coniferous are further south can handle colder temps

Question 20

characteristics of temperate grasslands

Answer 20

30-40 degrees north and south of equator
warm + dry summers
cold winters
grass is adapted to handle the weather conditions

Question 21

characteristics of mediteranian

Answer 21

40-45 degrees north of the equator
hot, sunny and dry summers
mild winters

Question 22

how is the tropical rainforest divided

Answer 22

emergent layer
canopy layer
understory layer
forest floor/ shrub layer

Question 23

characteristics of tropical grasslands

Answer 23

15-30 degrees north and south of equator
hot, dry seasons (prone to wildfires)
wet seasons (violent thunder storms)
quite biodiverse

Question 24

tundra

Answer 24

60-70 north EG canada, alaska
low growing plants
fragile eco system
threatened for oil exploitation
and tourism

Question 25

how have plants adapted in the rainforest? use an example

Answer 25

trees grow fast with thin trunks to get to the sunlight and compete with other trees.
buttress roots help give the trees stability and have thick waxy outer layers to prevent water loss
drip tips - allows the water to run off the leaves easily
lianas use the trees to grow up to the sunlight fast

Question 26

how have animals adapted in the rainforest? use examples

Answer 26

camouflage - tree frog adapted to be the colour of bark
mimicry - creatures pretend to be something else - tiger has the face on its neck
habitat adaption - many animals adapt to live high up in the trees away from predators

Question 27

how is biodiversity under threat?

Answer 27

deforestation - 80,000 hectares of rainforest burned a day. 20% has already been destroyed for commercial plantations or settlements.

water pollution - mining pollutes water and effects many ecosystems

climate change - alter rainfall patterns and change ecosystems.

Question 28

causes of deforestation

Answer 28

logging - felling trees
commercial farming - produces crops or animals for sale on large scales
mineral extraction - mining the land for raw materials
settlement and population growth - urban to rural migration
sustenance farming ( more sustainable) - local tribes clearing areas to grow crops, make medicines and farm materials to build and hunt.

Question 29

positive impacts of deforestation

Answer 29

economic gains
development of land for mining, farming and energy creates jobs, resources and energy.

taxes are paid which improves governments

improved infrastructure - improves transport systems
hydro electric power dam - a cheap renewable energy source
valuable minerals can be exported

Question 30

negative impacts of deforestation

Answer 30

water pollution
wild fires can cause pollution
rise in temp can effect other forms of farming
extinction of species
climate change
reduction in tourism

Question 31

why are tropical rainforests so important

Answer 31

home to indigenous people who live sustainably

6% earths land surface
most biodiverse
1/4 of all medicines

Question 32

how can rainforests be sustainably managed?

Answer 32

selective logging - only felling select trees in area for specific purpose.
conservation and education - educate people about the importance of rainforests and maintain them in national parks
ecotourism - benefits local communities in a sustainable way.
international agreements - laws to protect rain forests
hardwood forestry - the forest stewardship council makes sure products are only produced from sustainable sourced trees.
debt reduction - some countries borrow money and use deforestation to repay this debts so governments clear the debts in an effort to save the rainforests.