U1- Battle for the Biosphere

Question 1

What 4 factors affect what type of biome is where?

Answer 1

• Temperature.
• Rainfall/Precipitation.
• Sunshine hours.
• Humidity.

(Also whether it freezes and the length of growing seasons).

Question 2

Define biosphere.

Answer 2

Zone where life is found.

The biosphere extends 3m below ground, 30m above and 200m in the sea.

Question 3

What 3 local factors influence plant growth in biomes?

Answer 3

• Altitude.
• Drainage.
• Soil.

Question 4

Name TWO examples of biomes, other than tropical rainforest.

Answer 4

• Desert.
• Tundra.

Question 5

How does temperature affect the global distribution of biomes?

Answer 5

Temperature varies with the seasons and effects the length of the growing season.

Temperature gradually decreases as you move further away from the Equator.

Question 6

How does precipitation affect the global distribution of biomes?

Answer 6

A forest with a large biomass needs a lot of rainfall, the rain must also be throughout the year.

Question 7

How do sunshine hrs affect the global distribution of biomes?

Answer 7

Sunshine hrs determine the amount of light available for use in photosynthesis.

Question 8

How does humidity affects the global distribution of biomes?

Answer 8

Humidity controls the rate of evapotranspiration.

Question 9

Describe two characteristics of a marine climate and what type of biome might grow in such a climate.

Answer 9

• Smaller annual temperature range.
• More precipitation.
• Tropical biomes.

Question 10

Describe two characteristics of a continental climate and which types of biomes might grow in such a climate.

Answer 10

• Bigger annual temperature range.
• Less precipitation.
• Tundras, Deserts.
• Mediterranean and Deciduous forests

Question 11

Define pressure belts.

Answer 11

Regions of the atmosphere, running parallel to the Equator.

Precipitation is found in areas of low-pressure.

The pattern of pressure belts changes with the seasons.

Question 12

How does altitude influence plant growth in biomes?

Answer 12

Altitude controls both temperature and rainfall.

The temperature decreases by 1°C for every 200m of altitude.

The higher the altitude, the higher the rainfall.

Question 13

How does drainage influence plant growth in biomes?

Answer 13

Marshes and swamps are found in areas with impermeable rock.

Question 14

How does soil influence plant growth in biomes?

Answer 14

Thin soils will not support much plant life.

Areas of alkali soils (chalk and limestone) have more ash and beech trees.

Areas of acidic have more birch and willow.

Question 15

Define services.

Answer 15

Things that satisfy our needs.

Question 16

Define goods.

Answer 16

Products that are of value to us.

Question 17

Define biome.

Answer 17

A large-scale ecosystem.

E.g: rainforest.

Question 18

Name 3 services that the biosphere provides for us.

Answer 18

1. Regulation of climate➡️ temperature and rainfall.
2. ‘Green lungs’➡️ Removes CO₂ and gives out O₂.
3. Recreational use➡️ such as tourism.

Question 19

Name 3 goods that the biosphere provided for both indigenous people and TNC’s.

Answer 19

Indigenous:

1. Herbs for medicine➡️E.g: Quinine used as treatment for malaria.
2. Timber for building.
3. Food, nuts, fruit, meat and fish

TNC’s:

1. Deforestation to graze cattle.
2. Drug companies search forest for new medicines.
3. Mining companies search for minerals and oils.

Question 20

Name the 3 main stakeholders in the rainforest.

Answer 20

1. TNCs.
2. Local people.
3. Government.

Question 21

How much of the Amazon rainforest has been destroyed since 1970?

Answer 21

About 20%.

Question 22

Describe a social, economic and environmental impact of deforestation.

Answer 22

Social- Deforestation leads to loss of fuel and building material for the indigenous people.

Economic- Deforestation only leads to short term economic gain.

Environmental- Deforestation destroys ecosystems.

Question 23

What is the main direct threat to the Amazon Rainforest?

Answer 23

The main direct threats are deforestation for cattle ranching (60%) and small-scale subsistence farming (33%).

Question 24

What is the main indirect threat to the Amazon rainforest and why?

Answer 24

The main indirect threat is global warming.

Droughts will increase due to global warming which is catastrophic because during a drought the rainforest stops absorbing CO₂ and instead emits it.

This would accelerate global warming and the rainforest would suffer permanent damage and die back.

Question 25

How can the biosphere be conserved on a global scale? 1. When. 2. Who. 3. Aim.

Answer 25

- CITES treaty, signed 1973 by 166 countries. It protects 34,000 endangered species by banning trade in them. - Ramsar Conventions, established 1971 involving 163 countries. 1700 wetlands (coral reefs and salt marshes) are under special protection.

Question 26

How can the biosphere be conserved on a national scale?

Answer 26

- SSSIs are areas where rare species are protected by the law. Limited access only, normally solely for scientific research. - National Parks preserve valuable landscapes. Lake District was the first UK national park, now there are 15. - Community forests, set up in England 1990. To provide new areas of woodland for leisure and environmental quality near major cities.

Question 27

What is sustainable management?

Answer 27

Sustainable management meets the needs of the current generation without compromising the future generation's ability to meet their needs.

Question 28

What does sustainable managing involve?

Answer 28

1. Conserving the environment. 2. Avoiding exploitation of areas. 3. Provision for local people. 4. Educating local people.

Question 29

How can each of these things be made sustainable? 1. Deforestation. 2. Over fishing. 3. Climate change/pollution. 4. Hunting.

Answer 29

1. Deforestation- replant trees. 2. Over fishing- control fishing amounts/ find another food source. 3. Pollution- find renewable, sustainable energy resources. 4. Hunting- protect endangered species.

Question 30

The atmosphere is a mixture of different gases. Describe how the biosphere affects this mixture of gases (4marks).

Answer 30

Plants and trees take in CO₂ (1) for photosynthesis (2) and release oxygen (3). Forest fires release trapped carbon (4). Animals release methane during digestion (4).

Question 31

What and where is the Eden Project?

Answer 31

The Eden Project in Cornwall takes up 15 hectares and has two giant biomes; the rainforest biome and the mediterranean biome. The (South American) rainforest biome: - A waterfall. - Rubber trees. - Bananas. - Cocoa beans. The mediterranean biome: - Giant citrons. - Tulips and poppies. - Cork trees. - Aloe veras.

Question 32

What types of biome are you likely to find in a marine climate?

Answer 32

Tropical because of the increased precipitation.

Question 33

What types of biome are you likely to find in a continental climate?

Answer 33

- Tundra, desert and alpine. - Mediterranean and deciduous forests.

Question 34

Define degradation.

Answer 34

The damage caused to ecosystems and the loss of biodiversity which can eventually lead to their destruction.

Question 35

What are the immediate causes of threats to the biosphere?

Answer 35

Logging, overfishing, pollution and tourist pressures.

Question 36

What are the root causes of threats to the biosphere?

Answer 36

Rapidly expanding populations of people who use fuelwood and economic development in countries such as China and India.

Question 37

What small-scale schemes have been undertaken to make things more sustainable?

Answer 37

- Ecotourism being developed, with entrance fees being re-invested into conservation. - Education and training are helping farmers learn to farm sustainably➡️Less need for 'slash and burn' farming. - Replanting 300 hectares of tropical rainforest, which has created 200 jobs for local people.

Question 38

Explain why tropical rainforests are found either side of the equator (4 marks).

Answer 38

There are more daylight hours either side of the equator giving more oppurtunity for photosynthesis, and the heat makes more water evaporate causing heavy rainfall. Latitude affects the global distribution of biomes because the closer to the equator, the hotter it is so it affects temperature. Temperature affects precipitation which in turn affects the global distribution of biomes because the more rain, the more plant biomass.

Question 39

Describe a sustainable environmental management scheme: 1) Where? 2) Aim? 3) What did they do?

Answer 39

1) Kilum-Ijim forest is an area of mountain rainforest in Cameroon, Africa. 2) Project to create a sustainable forest reserve with aim to conserve the forest so future generations could continue to use it. 3) Developed rules for sustainable use, set up a unit to manage and monitor the forest, educate communities about replanting trees.

Question 40

What threats might the sustainable environmental management scheme Kilum-Ijim face in the future?

Answer 40

- Population growth is bound to increase pressure to deforest areas. - Urban areas, industry and roads could enroach on the forest. - Money and tech support from international donors could end. - Climate change could begin to degrade the forest.