Unit 1 - Section B - The living world Flashcards
1
Q
What is a biotic factor to an Ecosystem?
A
A living factor like plants and animals
2
Q
What is an abiotic factor to an ecosystem?
A
A non living factor like soil and climate of an area
3
Q
What is a producer?
A
A producer uses sunlight to produce its own food like grass
4
Q
What is a consumer?
A
A consumer gets its energy by eating other organisms by either eating a producer (Like rabbits eat grass) or another consumer (like foxes eat rabbits)
5
Q
What is a decomposer?
A
An organism that gets its energy by breaking down dead material such as dead leaves or animal remains. Bacteria and fungi are examples of decomposers
6
Q
What is nutrient cycling?
A
.When dead material decomposes, nutrients are released into the soil
.The nutrients are taken up from the soil by plants
.The plants are then eaten by consumers
.When the consumers die, the nutrients are then returned to the soil
.The process repeats
7
Q
Define the term food chain
A
A food chain is a list of organisms in a habitat that show their feeding relationship
8
Q
Define the term food web
A
A network of interconnected food chains
9
Q
Define the term interdependence
A
When organisms depend on each other for survival
10
Q
Where are Tundra’s found?
A
-High latitudes (Above 60 degrees north)
-In areas of northern Europe, Canada and Alaska
11
Q
Define the term biodiveristy
A
The variety of species within an ecosystem
12
Q
What is a predator?
A
Species at the top of the food chain
13
Q
What is an ecosystem?
A
A community of plants and animals that interact with each other and their physical environment
14
Q
What are the characteristics of a tundra?
A
-Very cold winters
-Brief summers
-Little to no rainfall
-Lack of trees
15
Q
Where are boreal forests (Taiga) located?
A
Found between 50-60 degrees north
16
Q
What are the characteristics of a boreal forest (Taiga)?
A
-Winters are cold and dry
-Summers are mild and moist
-Trees are coniferous
17
Q
Where are tropical rainforests located?
A
Found around the equator and between the tropics
18
Q
What are the characteristics of a tropical rainforest?
A
-Hot and wet all year round
-Dense canopies of vegetation forming distinct layers
19
Q
What are the characteristics of a hot desert?
A
-Little to no rainfall
-Very hot during the day and very cold at night
-Shrubs and cacti are sparsely dispersed in the sandy soil
20
Q
Where are hot deserts normally found?
A
15-30 degrees north of the equator
21
Q
Where are polar ecosystems normally found?
A
North and South poles
22
Q
What are the main characteristics of a polar ecosystem?
A
-Cold and icy dry
-They remain dark for several months of the year
-Growing season is only around 2 months
23
Q
Where are temperate deciduous forests located?
A
Found mainly mid latitudes
24
Q
What are the characteristics of temperate deciduous forests?
A
-Four distinct seasons
-Summers are warm, winters are relatively mild
-Rainfall all year round
-Deciduous trees lose their leaves in winter to cope with colder weather
25
Where is Savannah grassland located?
Between the tropics
26
What are the 2 types of grassland?
.Savannah
.Temperate
27
Where is temperate grassland located?
Higher latitudes
28
What are the characteristics of savannah grassland?
-Distinct dry and wet seasons
-Rainfall is still relatively low however
-Most vegetation is mostly grass with a few scattered trees
29
What are the characteristics of temperate grassland?
-More variation in temperature
-Less rainfall and no trees
30
What is the climate like in tropical rainforests?
Same all year round with no definite seasons
31
What is the temperature like in tropical rainforests?
-Hot
-Around 20-28 degrees Celsius
32
How are the factors of a rainforest dependent of each other?
-Warm and wet climate helps fungi and bacteria on the forest floor decompose dead matter quicker which makes the surface soil high in nutrients
-Plants then pass on their nutrients when eaten by other animals. the dense vegetation therefore provides a lot of food for animals meaning animal population is high
33
What is rainfall like in tropical rainforests?
High
-Around **2000mm** per year
-It rains every day
34
How are trees in a tropical rainforest adatped?
-Trees grow tall to compete for sunlight
-Many trees have smooth and thin bark which helps water runoff easily
-They have large buttress roots to support the tall trees
35
How are plants in a tropical rainforest adapted?
-**Thick waxy leaves** with pointed **drip tips** to repel the rain and ensure water runs off the plant so the weight of the water doesn't damage the plant
-Climbing plants like **lianas** use trees to climb and reach the sunlight
-Plants drop their leaves gradually throughout the year meaning they can go on growing throughout the year
36
How are animals in a tropical rainforest adapted to the environment?
-Some animals are **camouflaged** to hide from predators
-Some animals have a strong sense of **smell to detect predators** as they live in the low light conditions
-Many animals can **swim** to help them cross river channels (Jaguars)
-Tree frogs have suction cups to help them **climb trees**
-**Flying squirrels** have flaps of skin to help them glide from tree to tree
37
Why does deforestation occur in tropical rainforests?
-Commercial farming
-Subsistence farming,
-Commercial logging
-Mineral extraction
-Energy development
-Population growth
-Road building
38
What is the main cause of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest?
-**Commercial farming**
65-70% of deforestation is for commercial farming in the Amazon rainforest
-In the Amazon rainforest. 200 million cattle is on 450 000 km2 of pasture
-And up to 250 000 km2 of former forest have been used for soy production
39
What is commercial farming in the Amazon rainforest
-The forest is cleared to make space for cattle grazing and for planting soy
-In Brazil there are around **200 million** cattle on 450 000 km2 of pasture
-Rice, corn and sugar cane are also being grown
-This is the main cause of **deforestation** in the Amazon
40
How is subsistence farming impacting the Amazon rainforest?
Forest is cleared by small scale farmers who need land to grow for themselves and their families which means more deforestation
41
How is commercial logging impacting the Amazon rainforest?
The amazon is full of valuable logs like mahogany which makes logging tempting to both illegal and legal businesses which means more deforestation
42
Why is energy development impacting the Amazon rainforest?
-Building hydroelectric dams flood large areas of the forest
-The construction of the **Balbina dam flooded 2400Km2** of rainforest
43
Why is population growth impacting the Amazon rainforest?
Population growth and migration are putting pressure on the Amazon rainforest especially as the Brazilian government offers people land in the rainforest
44
Why is mineral extraction impacting the Amazon rainforest?
Gold, iron ore and copper are mined and exported to help boost countries’ development
45
Why is road building impacting the Amazon rainforest?
-The **4000km Trans-Amazonian highway** connects the Brazilian coast to Peru which goes through the rainforest
-As more roads are built for logging more of the rainforest is being **cut down**
46
How is soil erosion impacting the Amazon rainforest?
-Brazil is losing up to 100 tonnes of topsoil each year
This may cause landslides and flooding in the future
-With less tree canopy to intercept rainfall and fewer roots to absorb it
-More water reaches soil which reduces soil fertility as nutrients are washed away
-Commercial and subsistence farmers are then forced to find new areas of the rainforest and therefore more deforestation occurs
47
How is climate change impacting the Amazon rainforest?
Trees remove CO2 from the atmosphere
The Amazon stores 140 billion tonnes of CO2
Deforestation **releases some of this** which causes climate change
Up to **75% of Brazil’s** CO2 emissions come from deforestation
48
How is economic development impacting the Amazon rainforest?
-Economic development has brought wealth to many Amazonian countries
-Brazil exported **$600 million of beef**
-Brazil is the second largest exporter of soy
-The **mining industry** creates jobs for many people
The **Buenaventura mining company in Peru employs over 8000 people**
49
Why are tropical rainforests so valuable?
-Many products like coffee, rubber and chocolate are sourced from the rainforest
-Protecting rainforests **reduces the greenhouse effect by reducing CO2 emissions** and allowing trees to continue absorbing CO2
-Some impacts of rainforest destruction (Climate change) impact several countries not just one
-Rainforests help **regulate the climate and water cycle** without them the risk of droughts and flooding can increase
50
What are the ways to make a rainforest more sustainable?
-Replanting
-Selective logging
-Ecotourism
-Education
-Conservation
-Reducing debt
-International hardwood agreements
51
What is replanting (trees)?
This is when new trees are planted to replace the ones that were cut down
It’s important that the trees replanted matches the trees cut down
52
What is selective logging?
Only some trees are felled. Most trees therefore remain
This is less damaging to the forest then clearing a whole area as the structure remains
53
What is ecotourism?
Ecotourism minimizes damage done to the environment and benefits local people
Only a certain amount of people can visit at a certain time
Ecotourism **provides a source of income for local people** and raises awareness of the conservation issues
54
What is education in terms of a tropical rainforest?
Educating the international community about the impacts of deforestation can encourage people to buy products from sustainable resources
This reduces damage to rainforests
55
What is debt reduction in terms of tropical rainforests?
Many tropical rainforests are found in lower income countries which borrow money from other wealthier countries
The money must be paid back
Therefore, reducing debt means countries don’t have to do this and the rainforests can be conserved
56
What is conservation in terms of rainforests?
-Many countries have set up national parks and nature reserves within rainforests
-Areas of damaging activities are restricted
-However, a **lack of funds** can make it hard to police the restrictions
-So, some countries have set up funds with **overseas governments** and businesses can invest in
-The money is to enforce the restrictions
57
What are the international hardwood agreements?
High demand for hardwood from consumers in rich countries means that hardwood trees are rare as more are cut down
There are agreements to ensure less are cut down and to prevent illegal logging
58
Which animals are found in polar areas?
Polar bears
Penguins
Whales
Seals
59
Which animals are found in tundra areas?
-Lemmings
-Wolves
-Reindeer
60
What is the temperature like in polar regions?
-Normally below freeing
-In winter around -40 degrees c to - 90 degrees c
61
What is precipitation like in polar regions?
-Low
-Less than 100mm a year
62
What is the temperature like in tundra regions?
-Cold
-Warm months around 10 degrees
-winters can plunge to around -50 degrees
63
What is precipitation like in in tundra regions?
Less than 380mm
64
What is the soil like in polar regions?
The soil is covered in ice sheets meaning no soil is exposed
65
What is the soil like in tundra regions?
-Thin, acidic and not very fertile
-Beneath the soil is a layer of permafrost holding trapped greenhouse gases
66
Which plants are found in polar regions?
Lichens
Mosses
Grasses
67
Which plants are found in tundras?
-Bearberry shrubs
-Lichens
-Mosses
-Grasses
-Some short trees in warmer areas
68
How is interdependence shown in cold environments?
-The **cold climate** causes plants to rot slowly and **decompose slowly**
-This means that there is relatively **low nutrients in the soil
-This limits plant growth**
-Therefore **herbivores** like reindeers must **migrate** to where **plants grow** and carnivores must follow
-**In summer** when a tundra has greater plant cover
-They absorb the heat from the sun which **prevents the permafrost from thawing**
-The permafrost also **provides water for the plants**
69
How have plants adapted to survive in a cold environment?
-Most plants are **dormant** (inactive) to survive the cold and dark winters
-Plants are **low growing** and round shaped to avoid the wind
-Plants have **shallow roots** because of the permafrost beneath the soil layer
-Many plants have a growing season of only **50-60 days** as summers are short
70
How have animals adapted to survive cold environments?
-Animals like polar bears have **thick fur** to reduce the amount of energy needed to keep warm
-Animals are also **well insulated and/or have layers of blubber** (seals) for the same reason
-Animals like artic squirrels **hibernate** to conserve energy and survive the winter
-Birds like arctic terns **migrate** to warmer areas in winter
-Many animals like **arctic foxes and hares have white camouflage** to hide from the predators or to sneak up on prey
71
Do cold environments have a high or low biodiversity?
Low
72
What is the impact of a low biodiversity?
.If the population of one species changes in can impact the population of other dependent species
73
What are the opportunities for development in Alaska?
-Energy development
-Mineral resources
-Tourism
-Fishing
74
What are the challenges to development in cold environments?
-Extreme temperature
-Daylight hours
-Inaccessibility
-Buildings and infrastructure
75
Why are cold environments valuable?
-They provide habitats for organisms that couldn't survive anywhere else
-Scientists can study natural environments including landforms, plants and animals that are unaffected by people
-Studying cold environments can help scientists replicate the same conditions. This can help **preserve rare species**
76
Why are cold environments fragile?
-Plant growth is **slow** therefore if a plant gets damaged it'll take a **while for it to regrow**
-Species are **highly specialized** so find it difficult to adapt to change. Their numbers are **decreasing** as sea ice melts each year
77
What are the strategies to balance economic development with conservation in cold environments?
-International agreements
-Technology
-Conservation groups
-The role of governments
78
How is energy development an opportunity for development in Alaska?
Over half of Alaska's income comes from oil and gas industry. Most oils are found in **Prudhoe bay** which are transported via the **Trans Alaskan pipeline**
79
How is mineral resources an opportunity for development in Alaska?
Minerals like gold, silver, copper and iron are mined in Alaska especially in the **Tintina gold belt** where in 2015 **$154 million** worth of gold was exported from Alaska
80
How is tourism an opportunity for development in Alaska?
Each year there are around **2 million** tourists visiting Alaska each providing **39,000 job opportunities** for people
81
How is fishing an opportunity for development in Alaska?
In 2016 Alaska's fishing industry had a value of **$1.7 billion** and employed over **30,000** fishermen
82
How is extreme temperature a challenge to development in Alaska?
Prudhoe' Bay's mean annual temperature is -9 degrees C and extreme weather conditions like strong wind and snow makes working outside really dangerous and therefore opportunities are limited
83
How are daylight hours a challenge to development in Alaska?
Barrow in north Alaska is in darkness for up to 7 days in winter but in summer may see 80 days of uninterrupted sunlight
84
How is inaccessibility a challenge to development for Alaska?
Alaska is a long way from the rest of the U.S. In winter sometimes the only way to travel is through the expensive air travel or dangerous icy roads. In addition people in small towns may not get the full employment opportunities due to their remote location
85
How are buildings and infrastructure a challenge to development for Alaska?
Providing buildings and infrastructure that copes with the frozen and or soft ground and the extreme weather is expensive. in addition most construction can only take place in summer when days are longer and temperatures are warmer
86
How are international agreements balancing economic development with conservation in Cold environments?
Some cold environments are protected by international agreements (Antarctica). **The 1959 Antarctic treaty signed by 12 nations** limits cruise ships with over 500 passengers stopping, nuclear activities and non military activities on Antarctica. this allows tourism but in a controlled way so it won't harm the environment
87
How is technology balancing economic development with conservation in Alaska?
Modern construction methods minimize the environmental impacts of building as heated buildings can melt permafrost which causes subsidence which could cause pipes to crack
88
How are conservation groups balancing economic development with conservation in Alaska?
Groups like **greenspace and the WWF** pressure governments to protect cold environments which leads to more **sustainable** development
89
How is the role of governments balancing economic development with conservation in Alaska?
The **1964 wilderness act** protects designated wilderness areas like the majority of Alaska from development which reduces conflict over land use in wilderness areas
