The Living World Flashcards
1
Q
Producer
A
Organisms that produce their own food
2
Q
Role of producers
A
These are the plants in an ecosystem
3
Q
Ecosystem
A
Is a natural system made up of living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components
4
Q
Food chain
A
How energy passes through an ecosystem in a liner links
5
Q
Food Web
A
A network of interactions between different organisms, showing who eats whom, with producers, consumers, and decomposers.
6
Q
Biotic components
A
Living elements of the nature system
7
Q
Biodiversity
A
The number of different plants and animals in an area
8
Q
Abiotic compounds
A
Non living element of the natural system
9
Q
Nutrient Cycle
A
A process where nutrients are continuously cycled between the environment, plants and microorganisms, and the soil or water through various biological and chemical reactions.
10
Q
Outline the link between producers and consumers
A
- The producer, grass, provides the basic source of food which the consumers rabbits feed on.
- Producers such as grass are eaten by a first consumer, grasshoppers.
- In a freshwater pond producers such as pond weed (and duckweed) are eaten by consumers such as flatworms (and snails).
11
Q
State one role of decomposers in an ecosystem
A
- Decomposers like fungi and bacteria, help to return nutrients/energy to the soil.
- They break down dead plants and animals/organic waste or excreted material.
- They release energy from a plant or animal SO that it can be recycled.
12
Q
Explain the importance of the tree in the food web
A
The tree plays a central role in the deciduous forest ecosystem’s food web. As a producer, it converts sunlight into energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food chain
The tree provides food (e.g., leaves, fruits, and seeds) for primary consumers like insects, birds, and small mammals. These consumers, in turn, become prey for secondary consumers such as larger birds and predators
13
Q
How are nutrients recycled in a deciduous forest ecosystem?
A
- Leaves and organisms die, falling to the forest floor.
- Decomposers such as bacteria and fungi, break down the organic matter.
- As decomposers break down nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus that were stored in the dead organisms are released.
- These enrich the soil and get absorbed by the roots.
- Plants absorb the nutrients through their roots.
14
Q
How is energy transferred in an ecosystem?
A
- Food chains show the transfer of energy (as food) from one organism to another. Arrows show the direction of energy transfer.
- Food webs show how multiple food chains are connected in an ecosystem. If one part is removed, it affects the entire web due to interdependence.
15
Q
What is a global biome?
A
A large-scale ecosystem known for its dominant type of vegetation.
16
Q
What physical factors affect global biomes?
A
- Altitude: Higher = colder; fewer trees, more grasses.
- Ocean currents: Cold = dry, warm = wetter/warmer.
- Mountains: Rainfall on one side, dry “rain shadow” on the other.
17
Q
What are the main causes of deforestation?
A
Logging: For timber and furniture
Mining: To access underground minerals
Energy: Clearing land for HEP dams
Farming: For cattle ranches and cash crops
Road building: To access and develop rainforest areas
18
Q
What are the main layers of the rainforest?
A
- Emergents: Tallest trees (up to 50m), reach sunlight
- Canopy: Densest layer (up to 30m), most light & species
- Under canopy: Up to 15m, damp, gets 10% of sunlight
- Forest floor: Dark, leaf litter, large predators (e.g. jaguar)
19
Q
What are key features of tropical rainforests?
A
- Found along the equator
- Hot (avg. temp = 27°C) and wet (2500mm+ rain/year)
- Dense, lush vegetation
- Humid – fast nutrient cycling
- Poor, thin soils due to leaching
20
Q
How do plants and animals adapt in the rainforest?
A
Animals:
- Monkeys: Prehensile tails for balance/swinging
- Frogs: Bright colors to warn predators
Plants:
- Large leaves for photosynthesis, drip tips to shed water
- Buttress roots support tall trees
- Lianas climb trees for sunlight
- Epiphytes get nutrients from air/rain, not soil
21
Q
Why are rainforests important for biodiversity?
A
They are home to around half of all global species.
22
Q
How are monkeys adapted to the rainforest?
A
They have prehensile tails to help them balance and swing through trees.
23
Q
How are poison arrow frogs adapted to survive?
A
Their bright colors warn predators they are poisonous.
24
Q
Why do rainforest plants have large, angled leaves with waxy surfaces and drip tips?
A
To maximise photosynthesis and prevent rotting in humid conditions.
25
What are buttress roots and why do rainforest trees have them?
They are large ridges above the ground that support tall tree trunks.
26
What are lianas and how are they adapted to the rainforest?
They are vines that climb trees to reach sunlight or hang from branches.
27
What are epiphytes and how do they survive in the rainforest?
They grow on canopy branches and absorb nutrients from rain and air instead of soil.
28
What is the current rate of deforestation?
- Half of all rainforests have been cleared
- Increased deforestation in South America, Asia, and Africa (especially Peru and Indonesia)
- Deforestation in the Amazon has decreased, but 20% is already lost
- 60 hectares are lost per minute globally
29
What are the main strategies for rainforest management?
- International agreements: Restrictions on trade of hardwoods; 'Debt for nature' – HICs cancel LICs' debt for conservation funding.
- National strategies: Laws to protect the environment, create national parks, but often reluctant to limit exploitation due to economic impact.
- Local strategies: Selective logging (only mature trees); ecotourism (small-scale, educates, and funds conservation).
30
What are the key features of hot deserts?
- Located between 20° and 30° north and south of the Equator
- Cover 14% of the land surface
- Extremely arid: Less than 250mm rainfall per year, mostly 100-200mm
- Soils: Stony/sandy, infertile, little organic matter, formed by weathering
- High diurnal range: Extreme temperature difference between day and night, with cloudless skies leading to high day insolation and freezing nights
31
How do hot desert plants adapt to the harsh environment?
Xerophytic adaptations:
- Waxy cuticles to reduce water loss
- Short, wide trunks to store water
- Thick bark for fire resistance
- Succulents to store water in tissues
- Spikes to reduce water loss and prevent grazing
32
What are the main causes of desertification?
- Population growth: Increases pressure on food and water resources
- Deforestation: Fewer trees for shade, no roots to bind soil, and less nutrient cycling
- Climate change: Hotter and drier conditions prevent water reserves from replenishing
- Over-grazing: Too many animals strip vegetation and cause soil erosion
- Over-cultivation: Growing too many crops depletes soil nutrients
33
How does cattle farming cause deforestation?
Trees are cleared for grazing land. In the Amazon, large areas have been burned since the 1960s for cattle ranching to produce beef for trade.
34
What is subsistence farming and how does it cause deforestation?
Local people clear and burn forest ("slash and burn") to grow food for themselves. Soil gets exhausted quickly, leading to long-term damage and no regrowth.
35
How does logging contribute to deforestation?
Trees are cut down for timber (used for building and furniture) and pulp (used for paper). It can be selective (only high-value trees) or clear-cutting (entire areas removed).
36
How do settlements lead to deforestation?
Trees are cleared to build homes, roads, and infrastructure for growing populations and development.
37
What are the key characteristics of tropical rainforests?
- Constant high temperature (~28°C all year)
- High rainfall (around 2000mm annually)
- Rapid nutrient cycling due to heat and humidity
38
How have Transnational Corporations (TNCs) impacted economic development in India?
- TNCs operate in India due to cheaper labor and fewer regulations.
- Offices stay in HICs for skilled workers.
Example: Unilever – over 16,000 employed in India.
- Advantages:
Job creation
TNCs pay ~40% tax, benefiting the Indian economy (e.g., Unilever has $5B+ in annual sales)
- Disadvantages: (not mentioned above but often include:)
Exploitation of workers
Environmental damage
Profits may leave the country
39
How are plants and animals adapted to live in tropical rainforests?
- Spider monkey: Prehensile tail for swinging and balance
- Sloth: Long claws for climbing, slow metabolism, and camouflage for protection
- Emergent trees: Buttress roots for support, smooth bark to prevent moss growth
- Leaves: Waxy coating and drip tips to shed excess water and prevent rotting
40
How has tourism impacted Jamaica’s economy?
1. Jamaica is an NEE in the Caribbean with a population of 2.8 million.
2. GDP per capita was $4,868.25 in 2016.
3. Tourism is a major industry, thanks to sandy beaches, warm climate, and natural beauty.
4. Over 2 million tourists visited in 2016.
5. Ecotourism is growing, supporting sustainable development.
41
Role of the primary consumer
These are herbivores that eat producers.
42
Role of the small predators
These are small carnivores that prey on the
primary consumers.
43
Role of the top predators
These are small carnivores that prey on the
primary consumers.
44
What are the impacts of deforestation?
- Gains: Job opportunities, income from natural resource exports
- Losses: Decline in tourism, displacement of indigenous communities
- Environmental impacts: Loss of biodiversity, soil erosion, disruption of ecosystems
45
What are three key strategies used to manage tropical rainforests sustainably?
- Selective logging: Only mature trees are cut down to reduce environmental damage
- International agreements: e.g. Debt-for-nature swaps where debt is cancelled in exchange for conservation
- Ecotourism: Small-scale tourism that educates visitors and funds local conservation efforts
46
What are the main characteristics of hot deserts?
1. Less than 250mm of rainfall per year
2. Daytime temperatures often exceed 38°C
3. Nighttime temperatures can fall below freezing due to clear skies
47
What are India's key political relationships globally?
- UN: Active member, pushing for a permanent Security Council seat
- BRICS: Works with emerging economies like Brazil and China
- Commonwealth: Maintains ties with UK and former British colonies
- G20: Influences global economic policies
- USA: Growing trade, defence, and tech partnership
- China: Competitive with tensions over borders and trade
- SAARC: Leading role in South Asian cooperation
48
What are the key aspects of India’s trading relationships?
- Exports: India exports services (IT, call centers), manufactured goods (textiles, chemicals, machinery), and agricultural products (e.g., rice, spices).
- Main Trading Partners: The USA, China, UAE, and the EU.
Imports: India imports crude oil, machinery, and electronics, with China and the Middle East as key suppliers.
- Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): Attracts investment from the US, UK, Japan, and Germany, particularly in IT and manufacturing.
- Globalisation Role: India benefits from global trade and outsourcing, with significant multinational investment.
49
What is the understory in a rainforest?
- A cool, dark environment between the canopy and the ground.
- Plants are small, grow slowly, and adapt to shade.
50
What is the canopy in a rainforest?
- The upper level of trees that form a cover over the lower layers.
- Full of life, it’s home to many insects, birds, reptiles, and mammals.
- Large surface area for capturing light energy.
51
What is the forest floor in a rainforest?
- The ground layer, teeming with insect life and home to the largest animals.
- Features large roots called buttresses for stability due to wind.
- Smooth tree bark allows water to flow down easily.
52
What are the environmental impacts of deforestation and industrial activities in India?
- Deforestation: India was the 10th country in terms of forest loss in 2009, with 14,000 sq km of forests cleared over the last 30 years.
- Over 1/5 of the population depend on forests.
- Deforestation affects habitats.
- Industrial Pollution: Mercury spill from Unilever's factory and the "pollution pays" rule.
- Recent Developments: New metro system aims to check factory waste.
53
What is appropriate technology in the Sahel region?
Solar-powered stoves and efficient clay stoves are used to reduce firewood consumption, helping prevent deforestation and improve energy access.
54
How do tree roots help combat desertification in the Sahel?
Tree roots stabilize soil, and decomposing leaf litter adds valuable nutrients, making tree planting a practical solution to desertification.
55
What is the African Union's "Green Wall"?
The "Green Wall" is a plan to plant a wall of trees across the Sahel region to combat desertification, providing hope for sustainable development.
56
What are stone bunds?
Stone bunds are low stone walls constructed in lines parallel to the slope gradient, used in Mali and Burkina Faso to prevent soil erosion and slow down rainwater flow.
57
How do stone bunds help combat desertification?
Stone bunds prevent soil erosion, slow rainwater flow, and allow water to soak into the ground, improving soil fertility and reducing desertification.
58
What are planting pits (Zai)?
Planting pits are small pits dug by farmers to trap water and nutrients, helping crops grow in dry areas. They include half-moon water catchments and are filled with manure.
59
How do planting pits help crops?
Planting pits trap rainwater and nutrients, allowing water to gather and nourish the plants. Homemade compost boosts soil fertility, aiding crop growth.
60
Why is the cutting of trees for firewood a problem in the Sahel region?
Cutting trees for firewood leads to deforestation, which is unsustainable, especially with the growing population in the region
61
What is the alternative to cutting trees for firewood?
Solar power is being used to power cooking stoves, and alternative stove designs made from locally available materials, such as clay, are being used. These stoves are more fuel-efficient and require less fuel.
62
What human activities cause desertification?
- Fuelwood removal leads to deforestation and exposed soil.
- Overgrazing by livestock causes soil erosion.
- Over-cultivation depletes soil nutrients.
- Population growth increases pressure on land, worsening deforestation and erosion.
63
Role of primary consumers
These are herbivores that eat produces
64
Small predators
These are small carnivores that prey on the primary consumers
65
Top predators
These feed on the animals below them in the food web and have no predators of their own.
66
What are the global and local impacts of deforestation?
- Global: Climate change, loss of biodiversity
- Local: Drier conditions (less evapotranspiration), soil erosion, river pollution, harm to indigenous tribes
