Topic 7 - People and the Biosphere Flashcards
Define the term biome.
- A large scale ecosystem.
Give 4 examples of biomes.
- Tropical Rainforest
- Tropical Grasslands
- Desert
- Mountain
- Tundra
- Boreal Forest
Describe the climate characteristics and vegetation you would find in a desert.
- Very hot all year (30 degrees). Cool nights. Very low rainfall (>250mm per year)
- Scarcity of plants. Contain water storage features (extensive roots - cacti)
Describe the characteristics and vegetation found in the Tropical Rainforest.
- Hot all year (25-30 degrees). Wet all year (200-3000mm per year)
- Dense forests. Several layers of trees. Plants competing for light.
Describe the distribution and characteristics of the Tundra biome.
- Close to the poles
- Limited plant growth
- Low temperatures and little sunlight
- Low precipitation
- Slow evaporation causes growth of bog plants
- Strong winds
Explain the distribution and characteristics of the boreal forest.
- Located further north
- Cold temperatures
- Sinking air meaning low rainfall
- Conifer trees - waxy needle leaves
- Allows for quick photosynthesis
- Flexible branches for precipitation to runoff
ESQ - State 2 local factors affecting biomes.
- Altitude
- Rock Type
- Soil
- Drainage
Explain how types of rock can affect biomes.
- Some rocks let water soak in (permeable)
- Some don’t take in water (impermeable)
- These can change types of trees in a biome
How does quality of drainage affect a biome?
- Surface is waterlogged from impermeable rocks
- Waterlogging prevents tree growth
- Marshland and other plants may form
Define biotic and abiotic.
Biotic - living components of an ecosystem
Abiotic - non-living components of an ecosystem
Give 3 ways in which biotic and abiotic factors interact with biomes.
- Hydrological cycle regulation
- Biological weathering
- Photosynthesis/Respiration
- Nutrient cycle
Explain how biotic and abiotic factors interact with biological weathering.
Weathering - rocks broken down
Biological weathering - biotic factors breaking up rock
Bio - chemical weathering - abiotic factors breaking up rock. Produces humic acid.
Explain what the nutrient cycle is.
- How nutrients are transferred around an ecosystem.
- Gersmehl’s model - soil, litter, biomass.
- Nutrients transferred between these stores.
- Size of stores vary
- Amount of nutrients transferred vary
State 4 things that the biosphere provides.
- Fuel
- Raw materials
- Food
- Medicine
State 3 things that the biospheres does to provide resources for nature.
- Regulating the atmosphere
- Soil health
- Managing waters
