Theme 2 - Climate & Natural Vegetation Flashcards
factors that affect climate
- 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 air 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 water to different regions)
factors affecting climate
low pressure systems
more extreme weather
e.g. wind, precipitation
factors affecting climate
high pressure systems
mild weather
ecosystem definitions
abiotic
not living or composed of living things
ecosystem definitions
biotic
living beings
ecosystem definitions
biome
a large region of the planet with a distinct climate, vegetation, and animal life
ecosystem definitions
food chain
roup of organisms linked in order of the food they eat, from producers to consumers, and from prey, predators, scavengers, and decomposers
ecosystem definitions
food web
a diagram that consists of all the food chains in a single ecosystem
ecosystem definitions
energy pyramid / trophic levels
a diagram that shows the flow and quantification of energy transfer in an ecosystem
deserts
hot desert climate
a hot and dry area with very little precipitation and low biodiversity
deserts
why are deserts hot?
Desert humidity is low, meaning there is not eenough water vapour to form clouds
The sun’s rays beat down and bake the land.
deserts
why are deserts dry?
deserts are situated in “rain shadows”
they block moisture from reaching the area
deserts
hot desert locations
near the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn
between 15-30° north and south of the equator
desert flora & fauna adaptations
fennec fox adaptations
- 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)
desert flora & fauna adaptations
cactus adaptations
- 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
desert flora & fauna adaptations
camel adaptations
- 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
desert flora & fauna adaptations
acacia tree adaptations
- 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
equatorial
equatorial climate
hot and wet all year round
equatorial
why is equatorial climate hot?
The equator receives direct sunlight
equatorial
why is equatorial climate wet?
heavy rainfall throughout the year and high humidity
equatorial
equatorial locations
regions near the equator, between 0° and 10° latitude on either side of the equator
equatorial
shrub layer characteristics
equatorial
under-canopy characteristics
- little vegetation
- bare trunks
- no leaves
- lianas grow
- energy is focused on reaching canopy layer
- snakes and insects
- monkeys
equatorial
canopy characteristics
- dark and humid
- large leaves -> maximising photosynthesis
- biodiversity
equatorial
emergent layer characteristics
- hot and windy
- rapid evapotranspiration
- small leaves
- birds of prey - little animal life
rainforest flora & fauna adaptations
red-eyed tree frog adaptations
- sticky pads on feet - climbing trees
- green skin - camouflages with leaves
- bright colours - defense mechanism to startle predators
rainforest flora & fauna adaptations
buttress roots adaptations
- 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
rainforest flora & fauna adaptations
lianas adaptations
- 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
rainforest flora & fauna adaptations
sloths adaptations
- clawed toes - attach to trees
- strong arms - can hang for long periods of time
- greyish brown fur - camouflage to trees
rainforest flora & fauna adaptations
green tree python adaptations
- bright green colour - *camouflages *
- strong & muscular tail - grasp branches and anchor while climbing
- can unhinge jaw at 180 degrees - swallow prey faster
rainforest flora & fauna adaptations
pitcher plants adaptations
- modified leaves - insects crawl in and cant escape
- attractive features - attract insects to trap
- adapted to low light - can thrive in the shrub layer
rainforest flora & fauna adaptations
drip tip leaves adaptations
- waxy surface - water easily drips off
- big leaves, large SA:V ratio - photosynthesis
- shaped so water can drip off
rainforest flora & fauna adaptations
spider monkey adaptations
- high agility - can climb & swing through trees
- high speed dispersal
- can survive in hot & humid weather
rainforest flora & fauna adaptations
toucan adaptations
- long beak - can reach fruit and veg for food
- long beak - regulates body temperature
- camouflage - protects from predators
deforestation
causes of deforestation
- farming (slash & burn)
- mining
- infrastructure (roads)
- logging
- palm oil plantations
- urbanisation / urban sprawl
deforestation
impacts of deforestation
- loss of indigenous lifestyle
- increased flash floods
- loss of carbon sink
- loss of biodiversity
CASE STUDY: Desertification in SAHEL
Introduction
Sahel is the region between sahara desert & equatorial southern africa
one of the poorest areas on earth
CASE STUDY: Desertification in SAHEL
Causes
- increased population -> overgrazing & overcultivation
- unreliable rainfall & only 1-2 months a year
- climate change has led to drier years
CASE STUDY: Desertification in SAHEL
Impacts
- Ground is drier -> soil is eroded more easily
- fewer crops available (soil is exhausted)
- farmers lose income
- food shortages -> malnutrition & famine
CASE STUDY: Deforestation in MALAYSIA
Introduction
- 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
CASE STUDY: Deforestation in MALAYSIA
Causes
- 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
CASE STUDY: Deforestation in MALAYSIA
Negative Impacts
- 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
CASE STUDY: Deforestation in MALAYSIA
Positive Impacts
- 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
CASE STUDY: Deforestation in MALAYSIA
Management
- 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
