Weather, Climate and Ecosystems Flashcards
What is the weather?
The current state of the atmosphere
What is the climate?
The average weather conditions
What does a Stevenson screen measure?
Contains weather equipment which should be able to take accurate readings
What does a Barometer measure?
Air pressure in millibars
What does a Max/Min thermometer measure?
The minimum and maximum temperature of that day
What does a hygrometer measure?
Humidity of the air
What does a rain gauge measure?
Rainfall
What does a wind vane measure?
The direction of the wind
What does a anemometer measure?
Wind speed
What do climate graphs show?
Average temp and rainfall for a region over the year
What are clouds?
Collections of water and ice.
State the properties of a Cirrus cloud
Found high in the atmosphere
Common -> Thin and whispy
Move fairly quickly
State the properties of a Stratus cloud
Low in atmosphere
Grey and move fast
Produce light rain and snow
State the properties of a Cumulonimbus cloud
Large -> 10km high adn across
Look like a cauliflower
Produce rain, thunder, lightening
Found in spring and summer
State the properties of a Cumulus cloud
Fairly low in atmosphere
Look like cotton wool
Produce light rain
What factors impact temperature?
Latitude, distance from sea, prevailing winds, altitude,
When does frontal rainfall occur?
When areas of cold and warm air clash. The warm air goes over the top of the cold and cools which causes rainfall
When does relief rainfall occur?
When air runs into a hill and is forced upwards. It then cools causing rainfall
What is a rain shadow?
A dry area found on the lee side of mountains. Gets below average rainfall as its deposited on tops of hills
When does convectional rainfall occur?
The ground warms air above it causing it to rise and then cools causing rainfall. Very common in tropical countries
What is air pressure?
The weight of air pressing down onto the surface of the earth
What is wind created by?
Air moving from areas of high to low pressure
What is an ecosystem?
A biological environment consisting of all living organisms within a particular area.
What does a food chain show?
How energy moves in the chain
What is a producer (food chain)?
An organism which produces complex compounds from simple compounds
What is a consumer (food chain)?
An organism which requires organic compounds to grow
What is an alpha predator (food chain)?
The top predator in the food chain
How can humans disrupt the food cycle?
Hunting, deforestation, mining, tourism, dams, urbanisation
Why are tropical rainforests important?
Photosynthesis, biodiversity, flood control, soil erosion, nutrients, medicine, cash crops, tourism, tribes
What are some reasons for the deforestation of tropical rainforests?
Cattle ranching, HEP, mining, road building, population growth, wood, hunting
What are some problems caused by deforestation of tropical rainforests?
Flooding, landslides, reduced biodiversity and photosynthesis, desertification, reduced rainfall
What is hunter gathering?
The hunting of wind animals and collecting fruits
What is shifting cultivation?
Deforesting one area, growing crops in it and then moving to a new area
What is slash and burn farming?
Burning down an area of the rainforest for farming
What is land degradation?
Reduction of quality and quantity of soil
What are fallow periods?
Not using land for a while
What are emergents (Tropical rainforest vegetation)?
Tall trees that grow above the canopy layer
What is the canopy (Tropical rainforest vegetation)?
Th thick layer that contains about 50% of the wildlife
What is the shrub layer (Tropical rainforest vegetation)?
A layer of shrubs near the forest floor which is very dense
What are lianas (Tropical rainforest vegetation)?
Woody vines that climb up other trees and try to get to the canopy
What are strangler figs (Tropical rainforest vegetation)?
Strangler figs grow around the outside of other trees taking their light and nutrients -> Killing them
What are butress roots (Tropical rainforest vegetation)?
Very long roots that suck up maximum nutrients and support tall trees
What are fan palms (Tropical rainforest vegetation)?
Huge wide leaved plants that try to capture as much rain and sunlight as possible
What is the humus layer (Tropical rainforest vegetation)?
Decaying biological matter
What is the evergreen (Tropical rainforest vegetation)?
When trees shed their leaves to produce biological matter and keep green
What are drip tip leaves (Tropical rainforest vegetation)?
A leaf where water travels over them and drips to the ground
What are some dangers to tropical rainforest animals?
Habitat loss, climate change, pollution, hunting, diseases, cross breeding
What is sustainable forestry?
Forestry that doesn’t cause permanent damage to any ecosystem and can be maintained
What are some ways humans can protect tropical rainforests?
Creation of national parks, buy from sustainable sources, sustainable forestry, ecotourism, recycling, education, ban selling rainforest products
What are some adaptions which flora and fauna undergo in deserts?
Long and wide roots, nocturnal, camels, spiky and waxy surface, , ephemeral
What are human causes of desertification?
Overgrazing, overpopulation, overcultivation, deforestation, fertiliser use, GM crops, unsustainable water use, toyotarisation
What problems are caused by desertification?
Dust storms, reduced crop yields, conflict, famine
What are some solutions to desertification?
Crop rotation and fallow periods, shelter belts, reforestation and afforestation, irrigation, population control, GM crops
What are the main hazards caused by tropical storms?
Strong winds, flooding, storm urges and big waves, landslides
