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Ecosystems > Unit 1 Notes > Flashcards

Unit 1 Notes Flashcards

1
Q

What are Biotic Components of ecosystems?

A

Living components such as plants, animals, fungi and bacteria.

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2
Q

What are the Abiotic components of ecosystems?

A

Non-living components such as rocks, minerals, nutrients, water and energy.

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3
Q

What is a habitat?

A

A place where an organism lives.

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4
Q

In which other topics have ecosystems been studied?

A

Temperate Grasslands, tropical rainforests, peat bogs, Belize coral reef, whaling, Arctic ecosystems.

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5
Q

What is a Biome?

A

A large scale ecosystem, where distribution is controlled by climatic zones.

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6
Q

What are the main types of ecosystems?

A

Terrestrial ecosystems, Aquatic ecosystems.

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7
Q

What are the examples of Terrestrial ecosystems?

A

Mountain, Tundra, Grassland, Desert, Forest.

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8
Q

What are the examples of Aquatic ecosystems?

A

Freshwater, Marine.

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9
Q

What are the facts about Tundra?

A

Examples - Alaska, Russia. Distribution - 60-75 degrees N and S. Climate - -34 - 10 degrees. 15-25 cm of precipitation annually.

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10
Q

What are the key features of Tundras?

A

Adapted plant species, low biodiversity, no trees, permafrost.

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11
Q

What are the facts about deserts?

A

Examples - Sahara, Mojave, Antarctic. Distribution - 15-30 degrees N and S. Climate - Low precipitation, Extreme Temperature.

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12
Q

What are the key features of deserts?

A

Less than 250mm of rain annually, Quick evaporation, HD - 40 degrees. LD - -40 degrees.

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13
Q

What are the facts about Grasslands?

A

Examples - North American great plains. Distribution - 30-50 degrees N and S. Climate - Variations in temperature, dry winter, strong winds.

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14
Q

What are the key features of Grasslands?

A

20-30 degrees in Summer, -20 degrees in winter. 300-1000m of rain annually. Deep roots.

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15
Q

What are the key facts about tropical forests?

A

Examples - Tropical rainforests. Distribution - Between the tropics. Climate - Limited seasonal variability.

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16
Q

What are the key features about Tropical forests?

A

Dominated by large tropical trees, high biodiversity, average temperature over 20 degrees, precipitation over 230cm.

17
Q

What are the facts about Temperate forests?

A

Examples - Appalaichan forest, Black forest. Distribution - 30-50 degrees N and S. Climate - Warm/mid temperatures.

18
Q

What are the key features about temperate forests?

A

Moderate rainfall - 600-2000m of rain per year. Seasonal variation in temperature and rainfall. 20-30 degrees in summer, -10 - 5 degrees in winter.

19
Q

What are Ecosystem services?

A

The benefits which the biodiversity of ecosystems provide.

20
Q

What are the direct services of ecosystems?

A

Food, Medicine, energy, clothes, cotton, leather, housing.

21
Q

What are the indirect services of ecosystems?

A

Carbon capture and storage, flood control, less damage when a storm hits.

22
Q

What are the cultural services ecosystems provide?

A

People enjoying the natural world, hidden value and enrichment they bring to people’s lives.

23
Q

What are supporting services?

A

The services which ecosystems provide which humans couldn’t survive without.

24
Q

What are the most important areas of ecosystem services?

A

Supporting services, provision services, regulating services.

25
Q

Which cultures do ecosystems play an important role in?

A

Gwich’in community, Amazon tribes.

26
Q

What are the regulating services which are provided?

A

Flood control and defence, carbon sinks - peatland.

27
Q

How do ecosystems provide cultural services?

A

Swiss alps, Dolphin watching.

28
Q

How has human activity degraded some ecosystems?

A

75% of fish stocks are over exploited, 970 million tonnes of soil eroded each year in the EU. 13 million hectares of tropical forest are cleared annually.

29
Q

Why is it flawed to view ecosystems in purely economic terms?

A

There are other factors to consider such as regulatory and cultural values - flood risk, culture, opportunity for tourism, becomes more economically viable.

30
Q

What is the Anthropocene?

A

Human induced processes of the planet - in a new geological period.

31
Q

What damage has been caused to global ecosystems?

A

Global biodiversity has reduced by 70% in the last 50 years, 3% of all mammals are wild natural animals. 97% are domesticated animals.

32
Q

How can we restore damage to ecosystems?

A

Phase out fossil fuels, more renewables. Efficient food production, eat less meat. Manage the ocean effectively - No fish zones. Rewild world - encourage nature.

Ecosystems (4 decks)

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