Topic 9: Biosphere to ecosystem

Question 1

What are the other 3 spheres besides the biosphere?

Answer 1

Lithosphere
Atmosphere
Hydrosphere

Question 2

What is an organism?

Answer 2

Individual living things

Question 3

What is a population?

Answer 3

Groups of individuals of the same species living in a certain area

Question 4

What is a community?

Answer 4

All the different tyes of living organisms living in certain areas

Question 5

What is an ecosystem?

Answer 5

Units in nature in which living and non-living things interact with each other

Question 6

According to what, can you spilt up biomes?

Answer 6

Weather conditions
Soil types
Plants (vegetation)
Animals

Question 7

What are the 7 terrestrial biomes in South Africa?

Answer 7

1. Grassland
2. Savannah
3. Forest
4. Nama-Karoo
5. Succulent-Karoo
6. Fynbos
7. Thicket

Question 8

What are the 2 types of aquatic biomes?

Answer 8

1. Marine
2. Freshwater

Question 9

What are examples of marine biomes?

Answer 9

Ocean
Coral reef
Estuaries

Question 10

What are some examples of freshwater biomes?

Answer 10

Wetlands - Swamps, marsh
Rivers
Streams

Question 11

What is the difference between abiotic factors and biotic factors of ecosystems?

Answer 11

Biotic factors: living components
Abiotic factors: non-living components

Question 12

What human activities affect the environment?

Answer 12

1. Air pollution and global warming
2. Agriculture
3. Industries and urbanisation
4. Human population growth
5. Poaching

Question 13

What is air pollution and global warming?

Answer 13

Caused by burning of fossil fuels.
Global warming: increase in global average temperatures

Question 14

How does agriculture affect our environment?

Answer 14

1. More & more land is cultivated
2. Natural habitats are destroyed
3. Water is needed for irrigation
4. The use of fertilizers can pollute water & damage soil

Question 15

What are 2 disasters that occur from agriculture?

Answer 15

Deforestation
Desertification

Question 16

What is the reproduction of industries and urbanization in our environment?

Answer 16

As towns and cities develop natural vegetation is cleared to build factories, roads, houses & shopping centers. This destroys the habitats of plants & animals

Question 17

What can the human population growth do to our environment?

Answer 17

More energy use and more use of natural resources which cause pollution.

Question 18

What is poaching?

Answer 18

Illegal killing of animals which can lead to the extinction of species.

Question 19

What does ecotourism promote?

Answer 19

Ethics
Economics
Protection
Responsibility

Question 20

What is ecotourism?

Answer 20

Responsible travel to natural areas conserves the environment sustains or improves the well-being of local people

Question 21

Explain the economics of ecotourism?

Answer 21

1. Local communities can become involved
2. Jobs for local people
3. Locals can provide food, crafts and entertainment
4. Community development projects can be funded
5. Infrastructure can improve

Question 22

Explain the ethics of ecotourism?

Answer 22

It can preserve habitats and the environment

Question 23

How can we protect wild life and plants?

Answer 23

By not:
1. Buying illegal products
2. Intruding on wild animals
3. Removing plants, seeds, eggs, or other living material
4. Damaging the habitats