Tutorial 1 : Biodiversity Flashcards
Biodiversity
species, genetic and ecosystem diversity in an area.
farmland biodiversity
the diversity of plants, animals and microorganisms that inhabit farmland ecosystems
habitat loss
that natural habitats of the organisms are destroyed usually due to human activities
ecosystems
a complex network of living organisms interacting with each other. includes diverse habitats such as forests, grasslands, wetlands, rivers, lakes and oceans
ecosystem services
the benefits that humans derive from ecosystems (4 main types):
- provisioning services -> food, water, timber, medicinal plants
- regulating service -> climate regulation, flood control, water purification, pollination
- supporting services -> soil formation, nutrient cycling, habitat provision
- cultural services -> aesthetic, spiritual, educational, recreational values
circular agriculture
closing nutrient loops and minimising waste within the farming system, creating a closed-loop system
focus on resource efficiency and waste reduction within agricultural systems
sustainable agriculture
meet current agricultural needs considering environmental, economic and social aspects
focus on encompassing a broader range of practices for overall sustainability
Biomes
- aquatic: includes freshwater and marine biomes
- grassland: large open regions that are dominated by grass. the climate is warm and dry (tropical and temperate)
- Forest: dominated by trees and can occur under various different climatic conditions. (temperate, tropical, boreal)
- tundra: a vast, flat, treeless arctic region of Europe, Asia and North America where the subsoil is permanently frozen
- desert: little precipitation and lack of vegetation
Hadley cells
closed circulation atmosphere systems, which raise air near the equator towards the poles. Hot air goes up, cold air goes down
