Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

geography > the living world > Flashcards

the living world Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
U.S. Geography flashcards World Geography flashcards
1
Q

what is an ecosystem

A

the interaction between the biotic and abiotic components of an enviroment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

what are abiotic and biotic components

A

abiotic: non-living
biotic: living

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

example of a small-scale ecosystem

A

freshwater pond, hedgerow

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

abiotic components of hedgerow ecosystem

A
  • temperate climate, seasonal
  • rich fertile soils, brown earths
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

biotic components of hedgerow ecosystem

A
  • Producers : Hawthorn and blackberry bushes. Ash and oak
  • Consumers ladybirds, thrush, Blackbird, Sparrow hawk, Caterpillars badgers, mice
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

function of hedgerow ecosystem

A
  • shelter, corridor effect
  • food
  • home
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

what are global-scale ecosystems

A

large regions of the world with similar environmental conditions - biomes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

what are producers

A

organisms that make their own food through photosynthesis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

what are consumers

A

organisms that gain energy from eating other organisms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

what are decomposers

A

decomposers break down dead organic material and release the nutrients back into the soil e.g. fungi and bacteria

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

what is a food chain

A

a diagram that shows what eats what

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

what is a food web

A

a series of overlapping food chains

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

explain nutrient cycling

A

nutrients are stored in three stores: litter layer, biomass, soil
- nutrients stored in plants/producers are eaten by consumers
- when these plants and animals die they become part of the litter layer
- they are then broken down by decomposers which releases the nutrients back into the soil
- plants/trees absorb these nutrients up from the soil and the cycle repeats

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

what is a biome

A

large-scale ecosystem

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

where are hot deserts found

A

On and around the tropic of cancer and Capricorn
Northern Africa - Sahara
Central Australia
SW USA
15-35 degrees N and S

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

what is the climate like in hot deserts

A

Very hot - close the equator
Little rain less than 200mm high pressure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

what are the soils like in hot deserts

A

Aridisols by thin not very fertile as little organic content

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

what is the vegetation like in hot deserts

A

Shrubs and cactus adapt to lack of water can absorb water in stem

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

where are tropical rainforests located

A

On and around equator
South-East Asia
Central west Africa

20
Q

what is the climate like in tropical rainforests

A

Hot - close the equator
Wet - low pressure more than 2000mm of rain

21
Q

what are the soils like in tropical rainforests

A

Soil not very fertile as nutrient cycle very rapid due to ideal conditions for growth

22
Q

what is the vegetation like in tropical rainforests

A

15 million species - high diversity
tall trees (up to 40 meters
buttressed bases for support
evergreen with large, dark green, leathery leaves

23
Q

where are temperate rainforests located

A

40 - 60 degrees north
UK - western Europe

24
Q

what is the climate like in temperate rainforests

A

Mild climates - average temp 20 in summer - plenty of rain - low pressure
Seasonal

25
Q

what are the soils like in temperate rainforests

A

Brown earths - fertile

26
Q

what is the vegetation like in temperate rainforests

A

Trees like ash and oak deciduous

Lose leaves in autumn to prevent water loss
Bluebells grow in spring when sunlight gets to forest floor

27
Q

where is tundra found

A

Above 60 degrees north of equator

28
Q

what is the climate like in tundra

A

Little rain - high pressure - often falls as snow

Cold temps average 10

29
Q

what are the soils like in tundra

A

Soil frozen - permafrost - stops root growth - only top metre not - soil often wet - little evaporation

30
Q

what is the vegetation like in tundra

A

Low species diversity - not many plants - climate not good for growth

Low lying to protect from wind
Short growing season
Leathery leaves to prevent water loss

31
Q

where are boreal/taiga/coniferous forests located

A

45-57 degrees north

32
Q

what is the climate like in boreal/taiga/coniferous forests

A

Cool to cold in winter - warmer in summer
Rain in summer

33
Q

what are the soils like in boreal/taiga/coniferous forests

A

Deep litter layer as little decomposition - too cold

34
Q

what is the vegetation like in boreal/taiga/coniferous forests

A

Evergreen trees
Needles to prevent water loss

Black and white spruce

35
Q

where are tropical grasslands found

A

Edges of the deserts often found between the equator and the tropics

36
Q

what is the climate like in tropical grasslands

A

Hot all year round - not much rain and it tends to fall in one season
Often has periods of drought and fires

37
Q

what is the soil like in tropical grasslands

A

Porous thin layer of humus

38
Q

what is the vegetation like in tropical grasslands

A

Grasses and shrubs

39
Q

where are polar desert (ice) located

A

Very high latitudes north /south pole

40
Q

what is the climate like in polar desert (ice)

A

Very cold - little rain - mostly falls as snow

41
Q

what are the soils like in polar desert (ice)

A

Very little soil mainly bare rock

42
Q

what is the vegetation like in polar desert (ice)

A

ccasionally plants grow in cracks in rock. Eg Arctic poppy

43
Q

climate of tropical rainforests (ID)

A

In general, tropical rainforests have hot and humid climates where it rains virtually everyday. The level of rainfall depends on the time of year. Temperatures vary a little through the year - but much less than the rainfall.

44
Q

soils in tropical rainforests (ID)

A

They are red as they contain lots of iron.
They are deep but not fertile as the heavy rain washes away the nutrients.
They have a deep litter layer because they have an all round growing season so plants are constantly dropping their leaves.
The have a thin Humus layer because the leaves decompose quickly and the plants take up the nutrients quickly.

45
Q

structure of rainforests

A
  • emergents
  • canopy
  • undercanopy
  • shrub layer
  • ground layer
46
Q

why is there high biodiversity in tropical rainforests

A

Within the forest there is growth all year round because of the constant and favourable climatic conditions. The hot and wet climate enables high primary productivity. Many of the plants are evergreen with some deciduous trees which drop their leaves in the dry season. This means that there are lots of plants all year round and therefore it can sustain many animals - creating high biodiversity.
Vegetation also grows in distinct layers, in each layer the plants have adapted to the conditions so there are lots of different species, some going as high as 40m.

47
Q

nutrient cycle in tropical rain forests

A
  • Most of the nutrients are in the biomass, includes plants like a banyan tree or a sloth
  • Nutrients fall to the ground all year round
  • The litter layer is very deep because leaves and plants are constantly falling
  • Because of the high humidity and temperature means leaf litter decomposes rapidly
  • Soils are deep but the fertile layer with the nutrients is only at the top. Nutrients are leached by the
    heavy rainfall
  • Plants take up the nutrients very quickly

geography (4 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions