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Geography > Theme 2 - Climate & Natural Vegetation > Flashcards

Theme 2 - Climate & Natural Vegetation Flashcards

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1
Q

factors that affect climate

A
  • latitude (temperatures & sunshine hours decrease as you get further from the equator)
  • pressure systems (low pressure = cloudiness, wind, precipitation, high pressure = fair, calm weather)
  • distance from sea (closer to the sea = higher humidity, more frequent & intense precipitation)
  • prevailing winds (push the ocean in different directions, transporting warm and cold water to different regions)
  • altitude (as altitude increases, temperatures decrease due to thinner air)
  • ocean currents (act as a ‘conveyor belt’ to transport warm and cold air to different regions)
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2
Q

factors affecting climate

low pressure systems

A

more extreme weather
e.g. wind, precipitation

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3
Q

factors affecting climate

high pressure systems

A

mild weather

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4
Q

ecosystem definitions

abiotic

A

not living or composed of living things

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5
Q

ecosystem definitions

biotic

A

living beings

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6
Q

ecosystem definitions

biome

A

a large region of the planet with a distinct climate, vegetation, and animal life

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7
Q

ecosystem definitions

food chain

A

roup of organisms linked in order of the food they eat, from producers to consumers, and from prey, predators, scavengers, and decomposers

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8
Q

ecosystem definitions

food web

A

a diagram that consists of all the food chains in a single ecosystem

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9
Q

ecosystem definitions

energy pyramid / trophic levels

A

a diagram that shows the flow and quantification of energy transfer in an ecosystem

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10
Q

deserts

hot desert climate

A

a hot and dry area with very little precipitation and low biodiversity

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11
Q

deserts

why are deserts hot?

A

Desert humidity is low, meaning there is not eenough water vapour to form clouds

The sun’s rays beat down and bake the land.

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12
Q

deserts

why are deserts dry?

A

deserts are situated in “rain shadows”

they block moisture from reaching the area

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13
Q

deserts

hot desert locations

A

near the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn

between 15-30° north and south of the equator

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14
Q

desert flora & fauna adaptations

fennec fox adaptations

A
  • kidneys restrict water loss
  • thick fur insulates from cold desert nights
  • large ears dispel heat
  • sandy fur reflects heat & camouflages them
  • thick fur on soles of feet provides traction (like snowshoes)
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15
Q

desert flora & fauna adaptations

cactus adaptations

A
  • spikes (instead of leaves) protect from animals
  • thick waxy layer prevents water loss by evaporation
  • large stems act as containers to store water
  • striped white surface reflects heat
  • extensive root system close to surface allows water to be easily captured during rainfall
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16
Q

desert flora & fauna adaptations

camel adaptations

A
  • long eyelashes - protect eyes from dust
  • long tail -can swat mosquitoes away
  • large hump -stores fat for energy
  • flat feet -avoids sinking in the sand
  • rubbery lips -can eat prickly plants
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17
Q

desert flora & fauna adaptations

acacia tree adaptations

A
  • symbiotic relationship with ants - can fight off herbivore threats
  • large,sharp thorns - protects from animals
  • small leaves - reduce evaporation
  • long roots- can reach water buried deep in the ground
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18
Q

equatorial

equatorial climate

A

hot and wet all year round

19
Q

equatorial

why is equatorial climate hot?

A

The equator receives direct sunlight

20
Q

equatorial

why is equatorial climate wet?

A

heavy rainfall throughout the year and high humidity

21
Q

equatorial

equatorial locations

A

regions near the equator, between 0° and 10° latitude on either side of the equator

22
Q

equatorial

shrub layer characteristics

A
23
Q

equatorial

under-canopy characteristics

A
  • little vegetation
  • bare trunks
  • no leaves
  • lianas grow
  • energy is focused on reaching canopy layer
  • snakes and insects
  • monkeys
24
Q

equatorial

canopy characteristics

A
  • dark and humid
  • large leaves -> maximising photosynthesis
  • biodiversity
25
Q

equatorial

emergent layer characteristics

A
  • hot and windy
  • rapid evapotranspiration
  • small leaves
  • birds of prey - little animal life
26
Q

rainforest flora & fauna adaptations

red-eyed tree frog adaptations

A
  • sticky pads on feet - climbing trees
  • green skin - camouflages with leaves
  • bright colours - defense mechanism to startle predators
27
Q

rainforest flora & fauna adaptations

buttress roots adaptations

A
  • spread over a large area - can absorb nutrients
  • wide - spread the trees weight and provide stability
  • can grow upwards - providing tree with oxygen in waterlogged soil
28
Q

rainforest flora & fauna adaptations

lianas adaptations

A
  • can wrap around trees - using them as support to grow upwards
  • sharp hooks or spines - attach to host trees
  • roots with adhesive properties - stick to host trees
29
Q

rainforest flora & fauna adaptations

sloths adaptations

A
  • clawed toes - attach to trees
  • strong arms - can hang for long periods of time
  • greyish brown fur - camouflage to trees
30
Q

rainforest flora & fauna adaptations

green tree python adaptations

A
  • bright green colour - *camouflages *
  • strong & muscular tail - grasp branches and anchor while climbing
  • can unhinge jaw at 180 degrees - swallow prey faster
31
Q

rainforest flora & fauna adaptations

pitcher plants adaptations

A
  • modified leaves - insects crawl in and cant escape
  • attractive features - attract insects to trap
  • adapted to low light - can thrive in the shrub layer
32
Q

rainforest flora & fauna adaptations

drip tip leaves adaptations

A
  • waxy surface - water easily drips off
  • big leaves, large SA:V ratio - photosynthesis
  • shaped so water can drip off
33
Q

rainforest flora & fauna adaptations

spider monkey adaptations

A
  • high agility - can climb & swing through trees
  • high speed dispersal
  • can survive in hot & humid weather
34
Q

rainforest flora & fauna adaptations

toucan adaptations

A
  • long beak - can reach fruit and veg for food
  • long beak - regulates body temperature
  • camouflage - protects from predators
35
Q

deforestation

causes of deforestation

A
  • farming (slash & burn)
  • mining
  • infrastructure (roads)
  • logging
  • palm oil plantations
  • urbanisation / urban sprawl
36
Q

deforestation

impacts of deforestation

A
  • loss of indigenous lifestyle
  • increased flash floods
  • loss of carbon sink
  • loss of biodiversity
37
Q

CASE STUDY: Desertification in SAHEL

Introduction

A

Sahel is the region between sahara desert & equatorial southern africa

one of the poorest areas on earth

38
Q

CASE STUDY: Desertification in SAHEL

Causes

A
  • increased population -> overgrazing & overcultivation
  • unreliable rainfall & only 1-2 months a year
  • climate change has led to drier years
39
Q

CASE STUDY: Desertification in SAHEL

Impacts

A
  • Ground is drier -> soil is eroded more easily
  • fewer crops available (soil is exhausted)
  • farmers lose income
  • food shortages -> malnutrition & famine
40
Q

CASE STUDY: Deforestation in MALAYSIA

Introduction

A
  • country in south east asia
  • peninsular malaysia & east malaysia
  • 67% covered by natural tropical rainforest vegetation
  • 31% decrease in tree cover since 2000
  • mostly affects borneo
41
Q

CASE STUDY: Deforestation in MALAYSIA

Causes

A
  • subsistence farming (native tribes)
  • commercial farming (large companies)
  • logging -> one of the largest tropical wood exports (80% of deforestation is due to this)
  • road building for wood exports
  • mineral extraction (coal)
  • settlement & population growth
42
Q

CASE STUDY: Deforestation in MALAYSIA

Negative Impacts

A
  • plants used for medicine go extinct
  • climate change -> warmer conditions affect tea, fruit, flowers
  • tourism decreases as biodiversity decreases
  • no canopy cover -> soil is washed away by rain -> infertile soil
  • trees absorb CO2 which slows down global warming
43
Q

CASE STUDY: Deforestation in MALAYSIA

Positive Impacts

A
  • development of land = job opportunities
  • improvement in transport opens up new areas
  • products e.g. palm oil & rubber provide raw materials
  • HEP = cheap & plentiful energy
  • minerals e.g. gold are valuable
44
Q

CASE STUDY: Deforestation in MALAYSIA

Management

A
  • selective logging -> experts choose trees to log, minimising damage
  • promotion of ecotourism
  • international agreements to control hardwood use
  • debt reduction, agreements to swap debts for protection of nature

Geography (16 decks)

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