Top 5 - Ecosystems and Tropical Rain Forests Flashcards
What is an ecosystem?
An ecosystem is defined by all the living and non-living parts in an area.
Give two abiotic features of ecosystems.
Soil and Climate.
What is a producer?
A producer is something (like a tree or plant) that takes sunlight and converts it through photosynthesis into energy.
Describe the role of decomposers in ecosystems
They decompose dead materials and the nutrients are erased into the soil.
Where are temperate deciduous found?
Temperate deciduous forests are found in the lower Northern or southern hemisphere.
What type of ecosystem is always found between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn?
Hot Desert, Tropical Rain-Forest
Describe the climate of a tropical rain forest.
Hot (between 20-28*C)
Wet, very wet (around 2000mm/yr)
Give an example of an interdependent relationship in the tropical rain forest.
Crocodiles and Jaguars, the jaguars eat the crocodiles but sometimes the crocs eat the jaguars, if jaguars went extinct then crocodiles would over populate but if crocs when extinct then so would Jaguars.
What is biodiversity?
Biodiversity is the number of different plants and animals and organisms within a cubic metre of an ecosystem.
Give six causes of deforestation in a TRF
Population Pressure, Commercial Logging, Commercial Farming, Subsistence Farming, Energy Development, Mineral Extraction.
What is selective logging?
Selective logging is when commercial loggers only chop down trees that are either older or inferior rather than all of them.
What is ecotourism?
Ecotourism is tourism that minimises damage done to the environment and benefits the local people.
