Topic 8 Forests Under Threat Flashcards
Why are taiga forests deforested
To make money- trees are deliberately chopped down for wood and paper, in the search for minerals and to satisfy the worlds increasing demand for energy
Explain the reason for logging for softwood
Trees are cut down so that they can be made into housing, furniture and matches
Explain the reason for logging for exploitation of fossil fuels
Trees are cleared to extract gas and oil from the ground
Explain the use of logging for pulp and paper production
Cut down trees are mashed into pulp and used to make paper
Explain the reason for logging of exploitation if minerals
Many taiga forests are rich in minerals such as iron ore, gold, copper and silver. Lots of trees are chopped down to make way for mines as well as access roads
How does acid rain cause loss of biodiversity
Burning fossil fuels releases gases such as Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. These dissolve in water in the atmosphere to form acids, when it rains or snows this acids are deposited onto the plants and soil. Acid rain damages plants’ leaves and makes it harder for them to cope with the cold. I can also make the soils too acidic to support growth and kills organisms in lakes and streams
How do pests and diseases cause a loss of biodiversity
Pests and diseases cause damage to organisms. Many pests and diseases are specific to one species as there is often a single tree species in a particular area in the taiga forests, its easy for the pests and diseases to spread and multiply- they can do lots of damage. Its thought that warming caused by climate change is making it easier for pests and diseases to survive so the frequency of attack is increasing
Explain how wildfires cause a loss of biodiversity
Wildfires are a natural part of the ecosystem, they allow new growth and regenerate the forest. However its thought climate change is leading to warmer, drier conditions in taiga forests, this is increasing the frequency of fires and making fire season stronger which can destroy huge numbers of trees and may change the distribution of species as some species are better at recolonising burnt areas. This may break forests up into smaller areas which makes it hard fir migratory animals that need a lot of space to find enough food.
What is the climate like in the taiga forest
Cool, dry climate and extreme seasons
How are plants soil and animals related
Plants gain their nutrients from the soil and provide nutrients to the animals that eat them. Animals spread seeds through their dung (poop) helping the plants to reproduce
How does a cold climate reduce the ability of plants to grow
Cold climates causes plants to grow slowly and also to decompose very slowly. This means than the soil is relatively low in nutrients - further reducing the ability of plants to grow
How do plants struggle from lack of water in the summer
In the summer the trees that absorb heat from the sun and shade the ground below - this prevents the permafrost below from thawing. The permafrost provides water for plants.
How does melting of permafrost effect a whole ecosystem
Melting of permafrost can flood land preventing plants from growing. It also releases trapped greenhouse gases - leading to increased global warming and changes to the climate of cold environments threatening plants and animals
Why aren’t there many plants on the forest floor
The soils are poor and very little light gets through the dense canopy
Describe the trees in a taiga forest
The trees are evergreen (they dint drop their leaves in a particular season) so they can make best use if available light. They have needles instead of flat leaves reducing the water loss from strong cold winds because it reduces the surface area.
They are cone - shaped this means the heavy winter snowfall can slide straight off the branches without breaking them. They’re also quite bendy so less likely to break
