TOPICS: The living world Flashcards
Why are rainforest soils surprisingly infertile
because heavy rainfall dissolves and carries away nutrients
What is the name for the highest level of the rainforest
emergents
What is the name for the second highest layer in the rainforest
canopy
what is the name for the third highest layer in the rainforest
understory
what is the name for the bottom layer of a rainforest
forest floor
what is an ecosystem cascade
a diagram showing the effect of a change in a food chain
What are the 6 ecosystems
tundra
rainforest
desert
cold environment
grassland
temperate deciduous forest
Features of tundra
very cold, with low rain and not much life, only moss and grass
Features of grassland
very few trees, with a wet and dry season
Features of temperate deciduous forests
four clear seasons, with rain throughout the year
Features of tropical rainforest
hot and very humid, with lots of rainfall. Very dense with lifeforms
Features of hot desert
Almost no rainfall, very very hot int eh day and very cold at night. Only cacti and other similar plants can survive
Features of cold environments
freezing temperatures all year round.
What are examples of producers in a freshwater pond
Algae or pond weed
What are examples of consumers in a freshwater pond
Trout or similar fish
Examples of decomposers in freshwater ponds
maggots
temperature range of rainforests
21 to 30 degrees all year
How many mm a year of rainfall in the amazon
2,000
are most plants evergreen or not in rainforests
evergreen
What are Epiphytes
Plants which grow on other plants, (common in tropical rainforests)
What are buttress roots
Roots which are adapted so they spread a wide area and go deep underground.
Why do buttress roots exist
They can absorb much more nutrients, and also give the tall trees more stability
What is pointed leap tips
makes the water run off the leaf easily, so the leaf is not damaged by the heavy rainfall
Why do trees in tropical rainforests have smooth and thin bark
To let the water run easily off the tree, so it doesn’t absorb too much
How have chameleons evolved to suit the tropical rainforest
Their skin can change colour so as to blend in, to not be seen by predators
How have jaguars evolved to suit the tropical rainforest
Their skin is camouflaged, so they can effectively sneak up on prey
What percent of the earth is covered in rainforest
6 percent
What are some environmental impacts of deforestation
less photosynthesis, so more CO2 in the atmosphere
Fewer trees, means the soil is less tightly bound, so soil erosion is more likely
Burning of trees releases lots of CO2
What are 3 reasons for deforestation
logging and timber
mineral extraction
farming and agriculture
how many drugs have been made from the amazon
7,000
What is selective logging
only cutting down certain species of trees, or trees at a certain age
average daytime and nighttime temp in sahara
45, -4
Why do desert plants have spines instead of leaves
To give the plant the minimum possible surface area, to stop water loss via transpiration
Why do jackrabbits have huge ears
large surface area to volume, so they can lose heat easily
Why are desert animals nocturnal
To escape the heat of the day
2 animal adaptations of tropical rainforests
spider monkey has long, strong limbs to help it climb through the canopy
Jaguars have spotted skin to hide from predators
2 plant adaptations of tropical rainforests
Drip tip leaves, to stop water buildup from snapping the leaf
buttress roots, to support the very tall trees, and also outcompete other roots for nutrients
What are 3 values of the tropical rainforest (things it can provide us)
Timber, Medicines, and energy (from dams)
What are 3 causes of deforestation
Logging
Mineral exportation and extraction
Farming (63 percent of deforestation is due to cattle ranching)
3 Impacts of deforestation
less CO2 is absorbed from the atmosphere, so global warming increases
Soil erosion will increase drastically
The extinction and endangerment of many animals
What is one international, one national, and one local way of managing rainforests sustaniably
International - debt reduction in return for reduced deforestation
National - protecting areas of rainforest by making them into national parks
Local - selective logging, only deforesting mature trees
