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GEOGRAPHY PAPER 1 > The Living World > Flashcards

The Living World Flashcards

1
Q

What is an ecosystem?

A

A community of plants and animals that interact with each other and their non-living environment.

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2
Q

What are biotic components?

A

Living parts of an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms.

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3
Q

What are abiotic components?

A

Non-living parts of an ecosystem, like climate, soil, water, and light.

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4
Q

What are producers?

A

Organisms that use light energy to make their own food (photosynthesis)

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5
Q

What are consumers?

A

Organisms that get energy by consuming other organisms (herbivore or carnviores)

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6
Q

What are decomposers?

A

Organisms that recycle organic matter within an ecosystem, nutrients are put back into the soil which plants eat (nutrient cycling)

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7
Q

What is the nutrient cycle?

A

The movement and exchange of organic and inorganic matter back into the production of living matter.

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8
Q

What are herbivores, carnivores and omnivores?

A

Herbivores = only eat plants
Carnivores = only eat other animals
Onmivores = eats both

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9
Q

How do changes to an ecosystem affect its balance?

A

Removing or adding species (e.g. new predators) can disrupt food chains and nutrient cycling.

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10
Q

Factors that affect an ecosystem?

A

Natural (droughts, floods, fires, diseases)

Human (fish stocking to introduce more fish, altering drainage of the land, changing the pH, altering nutrient with ferilisers)

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11
Q

What is eutrophication

A

Eutrophication is when fertilisers (rich in nitrates and phosphates) get washed into rivers or lakes, causing excessive growth of algae, which blocks sunlight and kills aquatic life.

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12
Q

What is a food web, and what are the 5 levels?

A

Several food chains that overlap to show the feeding relationships
1- Producer
2- Primary Consumer
3- Secondary Consumer
4- Tertiary Consumer
5- Apex Predator

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13
Q

Give an example of a small-scale UK ecosystem.

A

Epping Forest.

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14
Q

Where is Epping Forest located?

A

Northeast of London, UK.

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15
Q

What type of ecosystem is Epping Forest?

A

Deciduous woodland.

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16
Q

What is the climate like in Epping Forest?

A

Mild and wet climate typical of the UK.

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17
Q

How is biodiversity shown in Epping Forest?

A

High biodiversity with many native tree species like oak, ash, and beech (independant ecosystem)

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18
Q

What are the human uses of Epping Forest?

A

Recreation, conservation, grazing, and timber.

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19
Q

How is Epping Forest managed sustainably?

A
  1. Pollarding trees = cutting branches above animal browsing height so trees can regrow
  2. Limiting public access = reducing damage to plants, soil, and wildlife habitats
  3. Dead wood left = supports decomposers
  4. Visitor zoning = footpaths and signage to reduce damage
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20
Q

What is nutrient cycling?

A

Continuous movement of nutrients though environments, plants, animals and soil

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21
Q

What are the 9 different global ecosystems?

A
  1. Tundra
  2. Tiaga (coniferous forest)
  3. Temperate deciduous forests
  4. Temperate grasslands
  5. Mediterranean
  6. Deserts
  7. Tropical rainforests
  8. Savanna grasslands
  9. Polar
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22
Q

Where are tropical rainforests located?

A

Near the equator between the Tropic of Cancer and Capricorn

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23
Q

What is the climate of tropical rainforests?

A

Hot and wet all year round (average 27°C and 2000mm rainfall).

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24
Q

Describe the soil in tropical rainforests.

A

Infertile, thin, and nutrient-poor due to leaching.

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25
What is leaching?
When rainwater washes nutrients out of the soil, making it less fertile
26
Why are trees tall? (up to 46m high)
Battle for sunlight since trees put each other in the shade
27
What is interdependence, and what are the three aspects for interdependence?
- interdependence is how all parts of an ecosystem rely on each other to survive/function 1. Climate and soil 2. Deforestation 3. Plants and animals
28
What are epiphytes?
Plants that live of and grow on other plants (as support not for nutrients)
29
Name the four layers of rainforest vegetation.
Emergent, canopy, understory, forest floor.
30
What is biodiversity like in rainforests?
Very high biodiversity, home to over 50% of Earth's species.
31
How have plants adapted to survive heavy rainfall and lack of sunlight on floor?
1. Buttress roots = spread out, wide + deep to absorb nutrients, compete for space 2. Wavy cuticle = helps plants resist the rain 3. Smooth layer = thin bark helps rain run off the tree so they don't absorb too much 4. Climbing vines = compete for sunlight (for photosynthesis), conserving energy 5. High SA on leaves = photosynthesis
32
How have animals adapted to survive predators and get food?
1. Tamarin/howler monkeys = living high in trees, evolved strong limbs + tails to climb and avoid predators 2. Flying squirrels = wingsuit to glide between trees 3. Chameleons = camouflage to avoid being eaten 4. Sloths = nocturnal to preserve energy (move/hunt when temp is low) 5. Anteaters = evolved sense of hearing/smell to avoid being eaten at night (also nocturnal) 6. Jaguars = skin camouflages, can swim to cross rivers.
33
Why is deforestation happening quickly?
- farming/agriculture (space) - power plants - growing population (more resources, energy, mines needed) - mining raw materials - logging
34
How does deforestation impact the environment and economy?
Environmental (negatively): - less CO2 is removed, soil is bound together less tightly so soil erosion occurs, causing floods - burning also releases CO2 Economic (positively): - mining/farming industries create jobs, increases standard of living - but tourism decreases if rainforests are too damaged
35
Where is the Amazon Rainforest located?
South America, mainly Brazil.
36
What are the impacts of deforestation?
- loss of biodiversity - climate change, soil erosion, disruption of water cycle
37
How can tropical rainforests be managed sustainably?
- selective logging - ecotourism - replanting - education - conservation projects
38
What is the value of the Amazon rainforest?
- covers 20% of the world's oxygen - long term economic benefit - useful source of products - photosynthesis removes CO2 (absorbing 5% of carbon emissions) - water cycle decreasing risk of floods/droughts
39
What is the role of international agreements in protecting rainforests?
- provide financial incentives to preserve forests (rewards to encourage people) - selecting logging - ecotourism
40
Where are hot deserts found?
Between 15° and 30° north and south of the equator.
41
What is the climate in hot deserts?
Very hot during the day, cold at night, and very low rainfall.
42
What is desert soil like?
Dry, sandy, and low in organic matter/infertile
43
How have plants adapted to survive with no rainfall?
1. Small spines instead of leaves = minimum possible surface area so water can be preserved 2. Water storage mechanism = succulents plants have a thickened area to store water, this is because rainfall is rare 3. Dormant seeds = only germinate when it has rained, dormant for months/years 4. Roots = very deep underground/spread out, allowing plant to capture maximum water when is does
44
How have animals adapted to survive in high temperatures?
1. Coyotes = nocturnal, avoid having to use energy when its the hottest part 2. Jackrabbits/fennec foxes = huge hears, with high SA:V ratio so they lose heat easily 3. Camels = store water for long periods of time in their bloodstreams and store fat in humps for food source. - high SA for feet so they don't get stuck in the sand - long eyelashes to protect eyes
45
Where is the Sahara Desert located?
North Africa
46
What economic opportunities are there in the Sahara?
1. Mineral extraction = iron ores, Niger contains uranium 2. Oil and gas = solar energy is sustainable 3. Tourism = camel treks, sand-boarding on dunes
47
What challenges are faced by people in the Sahara?
1. Extreme temperatures = most animals r nocturnals and hard for humans to work throughout the day 2. Water supply = unreliable, less than 25cm of rainfall each year 3. Inaccessibility = infertile soil, lack of roads for transportation
48
What is desertification?
The process by which fertile land becomes desert, less fertile, drier
49
What are causes of desertification?
1. Climate change = rising temperatures 2. Overgrazing = if livestock eat all the plants, it causes soil erosion, leaving no roots to grow again 3. Over-cultivation = fallow years are held because planting crops in the same place over and over again uses all soil nutrients, plants cannot grow there
50
How to reduce desertification?
1. Afforestation to stop desert spread 2. Water conservation like dams to manage limited water, drip irrigation 3. Sustainable farming, drought resistant crops
51
What is a biodiversity hotspot?
An area with exceptionally high biodiversity that is under threat from human activities.
52
Why are tropical rainforests considered hotspots?
They contain a large number of endemic species and are under pressure from human development.
53
What is selective logging?
Cutting down only some trees, leaving the rest intact to maintain forest structure.
54
What is ecotourism?
Sustainable tourism that helps conserve the environment and supports local communities.
55
How does deforestation affect the carbon cycle?
Reduces carbon storage and increases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
56
Explain how vegetation in hot deserts is adapted to climate. (4 marks)
Cacti store water, have spines to reduce water loss; long roots reach water deep underground.
57
To what extent is deforestation in the Amazon a result of economic development? (9 marks)
Discuss economic drivers (farming, mining) vs environmental/social impacts. Include a balanced conclusion.
58
Describe the characteristics of a tropical rainforest ecosystem. (6 marks)
Hot, wet climate; stratified layers; high biodiversity; nutrient-poor soils.
59
Evaluate the effectiveness of strategies used to manage rainforests sustainably. (9 marks)
Discuss selective logging, ecotourism, international agreements. Assess benefits and limitations.
60
Explain how desertification can be reduced. (6 marks)
Use of tree planting, irrigation methods, land management.

GEOGRAPHY PAPER 1 (3 decks)

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