The living world - Tropical Rainforests and Ecosystems

Question 1

Definition of an ecosystem

Answer 1

The living organisms in a particular area, together with the non-living components of the environment.

Question 2

Producer

Answer 2

A producer is an organism that uses sunlight energy to produce food

Question 3

Consumer

Answer 3

A consumer is an organism that gets its energy by eating other organisms, either producers or other consumers

Question 4

Decomposer

Answer 4

A decomposer is an organism that gets it’s energy by breaking down dead material.

Bacteria and fungi are decomposers.

Question 5

Example of a small scale ecosystem

Answer 5

Epping forest, Essex

Question 6

Key features of Epping forest

Answer 6

-700 species of fungi
-Many insects, amphibians and birds
-Many mammals
-Producers made from grass, bracken and brambles

Question 7

How do people impact the ecosystem of Epping forst

Answer 7

-Visitors pick fruit and berries, helping to disperse seeds.

-Many trees cut down for timber

-Initially a hunting forest, now used for recreation and conservation

Question 8

How do the soil/plants/animals change throughout the seasons (Epping forest)

Answer 8

Spring- Stored nutrients are used by the growing of plants to produce fruit, berries and nuts that will feed consumers.

Summer- Leaves grow increasing surface area maximizing rate of photosynthesis.

Autumn - Trees shed leaves to consume energy + moisture

Question 9

Definition of biome

Answer 9

A large scale ecosystem

Question 10

6 types of ecosystems

Answer 10

Tundra/Polar

Tropical rainforest

Hot desert

Coniferous forest

Deciduous forest

Grassland

Question 11

Location of hot deserts

Answer 11

30N and 30S of the equator, between the tropics.

Question 12

Characteristics of hot deserts

Answer 12

Sinking air suppresses rain formation leading to avid conditions.

Hot in the daytime but cooler at night due to the lack of cloud cover allowing heat to escape quicker.

Question 13

Location and distribution of Tropical Rainforest

Answer 13

Close to the equator, widespread across Asia, Africa and South America

Covers 2% of the Earth’s surface but contains over half of the world’s plants and animals.

Question 14

Climate of TR

Answer 14

High temp (27C) throughout the year

High rainfall (2000m a year)

Ideal conditions for lush vegetation growth

Question 15

Water in Tropical Rainforests

Answer 15

Most TRs experience a distinct wet season, with rainfall lasting for several months

Question 16

Soil in TRs

Answer 16

Rainforest soils are not very fertile. Nutrients are concentrated in the upper top soil and are very quickly taken up by the plants as they grow.

Question 17

People in TRs

Answer 17

-Traditional tribes live in harmony with natural environment

-However people exploit tropical rainforests for commercial gain (Timber or for plantations)

Question 18

Plants and animals in TRs

Answer 18

Rainforests have the highest level of biodiversity in the world

Birds live in the canopy, snakes use the trunk of trees as “Vertical highways”

Mammals are well adapted to life in the trees.

Question 19

How do plants adapt to tropical rainforest conditions

Answer 19

-Emergent trees grow taller in order to absorb more sunlight through the canopy.

-Trees have buttress roots to help anchor the trees in the shallow rainforest soil.

Question 20

How do people rely on plants and animals in tropical rainforests

Answer 20

-Traditional tribes use plants and animals in order to survive

-Trees cut down for timer and resources.

Question 21

How do animals adapt to the characteristics of Tropical Rainforests

Answer 21

-Intense competition for food, animals have become adapted to live off specific plants or animals that few others eat.

-Animals also adapt by having physical features that they can benefit from, such as the three-toed sloth, can swim in floods and has green algae in fur to camouflage

-Therefore higher chance of survival in conditions.

Question 22

Social Value of TR

Answer 22

-25% of all medicines come from rainforest plants and more than 8000 plants have anti-cancer properties.

-Traditional tribes

-High rainfall totals in rainforests create the potential for hydro-electric power

Question 23

Economic value of TR

Answer 23

Employment opportunities in tourism sector as a guide etc.

-Farming, mining, construction job opportunities

Question 24

Environmental value of TR

Answer 24

-Biodiversity - more than 50% of Earth’s plants and animals

-Rainforests are important sources of freshwater (20% of the world’s freshwater is from amazon basin)

-Rainforests absorb co2 acting as a ‘carbon sink’

Question 25

Suggest why rates of deforestation vary

Answer 25

Government priorities - economic growth

-Limited economic options

Question 26

Case study for tropical rainforests

Answer 26

Amazon rain forest - causes of deforestation

Question 27

Causes of deforestation (case study)

Answer 27

-Rapid population growth, demand for food and housing

-globalized food network

-Demand for goods

Question 28

Info about cattle farming in the amazon

Answer 28

-It is an unsustainable activity as the quality of the pasture constantly changes

-Lots of beef is exported from Brazil and sold causing economic growth

Question 29

Info about commercial farming in the amazon

Answer 29

-Forest is being used to grow crops such as bananas, palm oil, pineapple, sugar cane etc.

-Amount of rainforest cleared by this doubled between 1990 & 2010 (deforestation)

-Cultivation of crops

Question 30

Info about small scale agriculture in the amazon

Answer 30

Local people growing crops on their own land, causing population growth and settlements being built on deforested land.

Question 31

info about logging in the amazon

Answer 31

-mahogany is sold to other countries to make furniture (selective logging). Smaller trees are often used as wood for fuel or made into pulp or charcoal.

Question 32

Info about mineral extraction in the amazon

Answer 32

-Gold mining in La Pampa, Peru

-This requires the removal of all trees within the mining area.

-Low quality soil
-leads to settlement growth

Question 33

Info about energy development in the amazon

Answer 33

-Heavy rainfall and unlimited supply of water has caused dams to be built for hydroelectric power

Question 34

Describe what the ‘modern gold rush is’

Answer 34

-Gold being discovered in areas are causing people to flee to those areas to make money quickly.

Question 35

Name 2 causes of deforestation that are linked:

Answer 35

Mineral extraction and growth as when gold is discovered through mineral extraction, people migrate to those areas for economic benefit.

Question 36

IMPACTS of deforestation:

Answer 36

-Local climate change, can affect rainfall patterns regionally

-Soil erosion and fertility, leads to increased flood risk

-River pollution, Mercury leaks into water affecting human health and death of animals

-Decline of indigenous tribes, changing their way of life in the long term

-Climate change, rainforest turns from a carbon sink to a carbon source, leading to rising sea levels.