Topic 9: Biosphere to ecosystem Flashcards
What are the other 3 spheres besides the biosphere?
Lithosphere
Atmosphere
Hydrosphere
What is an organism?
Individual living things
What is a population?
Groups of individuals of the same species living in a certain area
What is a community?
All the different tyes of living organisms living in certain areas
What is an ecosystem?
Units in nature in which living and non-living things interact with each other
According to what, can you spilt up biomes?
Weather conditions
Soil types
Plants (vegetation)
Animals
What are the 7 terrestrial biomes in South Africa?
- Grassland
- Savannah
- Forest
- Nama-Karoo
- Succulent-Karoo
- Fynbos
- Thicket
What are the 2 types of aquatic biomes?
- Marine
- Freshwater
What are examples of marine biomes?
Ocean
Coral reef
Estuaries
What are some examples of freshwater biomes?
Wetlands - Swamps, marsh
Rivers
Streams
What is the difference between abiotic factors and biotic factors of ecosystems?
Biotic factors: living components
Abiotic factors: non-living components
What human activities affect the environment?
- Air pollution and global warming
- Agriculture
- Industries and urbanisation
- Human population growth
- Poaching
What is air pollution and global warming?
Caused by burning of fossil fuels.
Global warming: increase in global average temperatures
How does agriculture affect our environment?
- More & more land is cultivated
- Natural habitats are destroyed
- Water is needed for irrigation
- The use of fertilizers can pollute water & damage soil
What are 2 disasters that occur from agriculture?
Deforestation
Desertification
What is the reproduction of industries and urbanization in our environment?
As towns and cities develop natural vegetation is cleared to build factories, roads, houses & shopping centers. This destroys the habitats of plants & animals
What can the human population growth do to our environment?
More energy use and more use of natural resources which cause pollution.
What is poaching?
Illegal killing of animals which can lead to the extinction of species.
What does ecotourism promote?
Ethics
Economics
Protection
Responsibility
What is ecotourism?
Responsible travel to natural areas conserves the environment sustains or improves the well-being of local people
Explain the economics of ecotourism?
- Local communities can become involved
- Jobs for local people
- Locals can provide food, crafts and entertainment
- Community development projects can be funded
- Infrastructure can improve
Explain the ethics of ecotourism?
It can preserve habitats and the environment
How can we protect wild life and plants?
By not:
1. Buying illegal products
2. Intruding on wild animals
3. Removing plants, seeds, eggs, or other living material
4. Damaging the habitats
