Topic 7

Question 1

Biomes

Answer 1

Large scale ecosystems with its own climate and characteristics

Question 2

Ecosystem

Answer 2

Is the study of biotic and abiotic aspects of an environment

Question 3

What is found in an ecosystem

Answer 3

Living and non-living components

Question 4

Tropical Grassland climate

Answer 4

Low rainfall 800-900mm.

Temperatures are highest before wet season and lowest after it.

Lots of sunshine all year round.

Question 5

Tropical Grassland characteristics

Answer 5

Plants-grass,scrub and small plants. Home to many insects such as grasshoppers,beetles and termites

Animals-lions,elephants,giraffes,zebras,antelopes

Soil-thin and rich in nutrients however are washed away during the wet season

Question 6

Temperate grassland climates

Answer 6

Hot summers and cold winters

Low precipitation 250-500 mm per year

Further from the equator

Question 7

Temperate grassland characteristics

Answer 7

Plants-grasses and small plants. Few trees

Animals-mammals include bison and wild horses. Rodents include mole rats

Soil-high temperatures in summer meaning leaves decompose quick meaning soil is relatively thick and rich in nutrients

Question 8

Deserts climate

Answer 8

Hot temperatures during the day and cold at night

Deserts get more sunlight in summer than in winter

Question 9

Deserts characteristics

Answer 9

Plants-sparse due to lack of rainfall. Cacti and thornbushes

Animals-lizards,snakes,insects and scorpions

Soil-littoe leaf litter meaning soil is thin and poor nutrients

Question 10

Tundra Climate

Answer 10

Temperatures are low 5-10°C in summer and as low as -30 in winter

Precipitation is low less than 250 mm a year. Most of this falls as snow

Question 11

Tundra characteristics

Answer 11

Plants-the environment makes it hard for vegetation to grow. Plamts include mosses grasses and low shrubs

Animals-artic hares,foxes mosquitos and lots of birds

Soil- the sparse vegetation produces little leaf litter meaning soil is thin and nutrient poor

Question 12

Factors that affect biome distribution

Answer 12

Altitude
Rock Type
Soil Type
Drainage

Question 13

How altitude affecs biome

Answer 13

Higher altitudes are colder. Meaning few plants and little animal species. Creating thin and poor soil

Question 14

How rock type affects biome

Answer 14

Some rocks can stop the flow of water. This affectd how rich in nutrients the soil is

Question 15

How soil type affects biome

Answer 15

The more the nutrient rich the soil is the more plant life that can be supported

Question 16

How drainage can affect biome

Answer 16

If drainage is poor the soil gets waterlogged and then only plants that are adapted to wet conditions can thrive

Question 17

Biotic Components

Answer 17

Living parts of an ecosystem

Eg flora and fauna

Question 18

Abiotic Components

Answer 18

Non living parts of an ecosystem

Eg soil,water,rock,atmosphere

Question 19

Resources provided by the biosphere

Answer 19

Food
Medicine
Building Materials
Fuel

Question 20

Food in the biosphere

Answer 20

Food can come directly from flora and fauna. This can be done for foraging things such as fruits,vegetables and nuts and hunting animals

Question 21

Medicine in the biosphere

Answer 21

Plants are used for their medicinal properties

Question 22

Building Materials in the biosphere

Answer 22

Trees and plants are used as building materials eg pine in taiga forests are used to build furniture and houses. Sap can be used to make glue and straw used for roofs

Question 23

Fuel in the biosphere

Answer 23

Plants and animals are used for cooking and keeping warm eg wood,moss,dried grass and animal fat

Question 24

What do humans exploit the biosphere for

Answer 24

Energy
Water
Minerals

Question 25

Energy in the biosphere

Answer 25

Since population is increasing so is the demand for energy. Large areas of forests are cut down to clear land for crops and cattle or to make way for coal mines or power stations and areas are flooded for dams

Question 26

Water in the biosphere

Answer 26

Since population is increasing so is the demand for water therefore water sources such as rives,lakes and aquifers are over exploited and not given time to replenish

Question 27

Minerals in the biosphere

Answer 27

Minerals such as gold and iron are used in building and electrical appliances. Minerals are often extracted by mining causing mass deforestation and toxic chemical release resulting in the death of wildlife

Question 28

How are gases controlled in the biosphere

Answer 28

Plants take in CO2 and give off Oxygen Animals give off CO2 and take in Oxygen

Question 29

How is soil kept healthy

Answer 29

Plant roots and animals spread nutrients through the soil to maintain soil structure and fertility The roots of vegetation hold the soil together Vegetation intercepts and catches rainfall to prevent soil saturation

Question 30

Factors that are increasing demand for resources

Answer 30

Increasing Wealth Urbanisation Industrialisation

Question 31

How increasing wealth increases demand for resources

Answer 31

The wealthier the people are the more the affluence therefore have more money to spend on food and fund energy hungry lifestyles

Question 32

How urbanisation increases demand for resources

Answer 32

Cities are energy intensive. Many street lights and signs use energy as well as many industrial zones for manufactured goods.

Question 33

How industrialisation increase demand for resources

Answer 33

Manufacturing goods such as cars and chemicals requires lots of energy. Industrialisation has also increased demand for processed food therefore increasing the demand for palm oil

Question 34

Thomas Malthus' Theory

Answer 34

He believed that one day thaere will be too many people for the resources available. He believed once this happened there would be famine,illness and war and the population will return to a point where resources can support the population. This happens after the point of catastrophe

Question 35

Ester Boserup's Theory

Answer 35

She believed that as the population increased so did the resource supply because we would find new ways to supply the demand such as technological advancements