Unit 1 Flashcards
What is an ecosystem?
A set of interacting, interdependent biotic and abiotic components
What is the definition of a biotic component?
living organisms in an ecosystem e.g. different species of animals
What is the definition of abiotic components?
these are non - living components e.g. climate and weather
What is the definition of a habitat?
where an organism lives, meets all the environmental conditions that an organism needs to survive
What is the definition of a biome?
is a large scale ecosystem, and is controlled by climatic zones
What are the four types of terrestrial ecosystems?
- mountains/tundra
- grassland
- desert
- forest
What are the two types of aquatic ecosystems?
- freshwater
- marine
What is an example of a tundra biome?
Doll - sheep national refuge, Alaska
What is the distribution of Tundra biome?
two types:
- Arctic, Northern
- Alpine (mountains)
What is the climate and key features of a tundra biome?
climate = cold, frosty climate
key features = low biotic diversity
= simple vegetation
What is an example of Desert biome?
Sahara desert
What is the distribution of the desert biome?
Cover 1/5 of the Earth’s land surface
What is the climate and the key features of the desert biome?
climate = hot and dry temperature
= 20 - 40 degrees
key features = lack of vegetation and precipitation, only specialised species
What is an example of the Grassland biome?
Colorado, Prairee North America
What is the distribution of the grasslands biome?
Various regions either north or south of the equator i.e. Australia
What is the climate and key features of the grassland biome?
climate = temperature range is very large, dry and wet seasons
key features = dominant vegetation
= 38 degree summer, very cold winter
What is an example of the forest biome?
Tropical rainforest e.g. Amazon Rainforest
What is the distribution of the forest biome?
Within the tropics
What is the climate and key features of the forest biome?
climate = limited seasonal variability, avg. temp is 20 degrees
= 250cm annual precipitation
key features = dominated by large tropical trees and high biodiversity
What is an example of the temperate biome?
Wisconsin woods, California
What is the distribution of the temperate biome?
North America, Asia and Western and Central Europe
What is the climate and the key features of the temperate biome?
climate = temp varies between -30 to 30 degrees
= 150cm precipitation
key features = soil is fertile
= biodiversity
What is an ‘ecosystem service’?
when biodiversity of ecosystems provides numerous benefits to people
What are Direct or Provisional Services?
- food and supplies
- energy
- medicine and clothing
- e.g. Amazon tribe
- TAKEN DIRECTLY FROM ECOSYSTEMS
What are Indirect or Regulatory Services?
- regulate climate
- purification of water
- wetlands - recycling and removal of chemicals
- mangroves, they offer protection and good for fish and biodiversity
- ECONOMIC VALUE OF ECOSYSTEMS
What are Cultural or Ethical Services?
- VALUE, WHAT WE LEAVE FOR THE FUTURE
- the way the ecosystems look
- loss of biodiversity, depleted world - what we have left for future generations
- not measured by economics
What are the five constituents of wellbeing?
- security
- basic materials for good life
- health
- good social relations
- freedom of choice and action
Globally, air pollution leads to how many premature deaths yearly?
3.3 million
What % of fish stocks are depleted?
75%
How many hectares of tropical rainforest are cleared annually?
13 million hectares
Why is viewing ecosystems in pure economic terms a flawed approach?
Don’t consider the environmental benefits:
- air purification, CO2 storage, food, wildlife habitat
plants used for medication
biodiversity important economically
What is the price difference between the economic costs of using ecosystems compared to the benefits?
cost = £231,000,000
benefits = £546,000,000
What is the Anthropocene?
Age of humans
we determine natures survival
What damage have we caused to global ecosystems? How many trees have we killed?
3 trillion trees
In the last 50 years, by how much was the population of wildlife animals reduced by?
60%
How can we reduce the damage to ecosystems, establish sustainable ecosystem services in the future?
- reduce impact
- phasing out fossil fuels
- upgrading to efficient food production
- properly manage oceans
How do you phase out fossil fuels?
by switching to renewable energy
will slow global warming and ocean acidification
What is the Knepp Wildlands and when was it started?
A rewilding project in West Sussex, started in 2001, they have restored an intensive farm to a naturally functioning ecosystem.
