Sustaining ecosystems

Define term “ecosystem”

An ecosystem is an interdependence of a community of plants and animals and the environment in which they live

What is the difference between biotic and abiotic factors? Give some examples for each

Biotic factors are living things whereas abiotic factors are non-living things. Abiotic factors are most times environmental such as the climate, landscape, altitude and location in relation to equator. Meanwhile examples of biotic factors include plants, animals and diseases.

What is interdependence

Interdependence is the reliance of every form of life on other living things and on the natural resources in its environment such as air, soil and water

What is a biome

A biome is a large-scale ecosystem that is spread across continents and have plants and animals that are unique to them

What are the different biomes?

Polar, Hot deserts, Grasslands (Savannah grasslands and Temperate grasslands), Coral reefs, Temperate Forests (Decidous forests and Coniferous forests), Tropical rainforests

Why do different biomes have such different climates?

This is to do with the Global Atmospheric Circulation (GAC) which shows the circular air movements in “cells”. The GAC is made up of three main “cells”: Hadley cells (at equator, below 30° north latitude and above 30° south latitude) , Ferrel cell (above 30° north/south latitude and below 60° north/south latitude respectively) and Polar cell ( at the poles, between both north and south 60° and 90° latitude). At equator, Hadley cells are hit by the sun vertically and strongly heated. The hot moist air rises at equator (rising air = low pressure) and as it cools it forms clouds and creates a hot humid weather with high rainfall (this is where we find tropical rainforests) . The air in the Hadley cells then start to move away from equator towards 30° latitudes where it starts to sink (= high pressure) and begins to warm and dry meaning there is low rainfall in these areas but still warm (e.g deserts) . The air then flows back to equator called trade winds and process repeats. At polar cells, there isnt much sun so the cold air sinks(= high pressure) giving little rainfall (polar biome). Then the cold air flows to lower latitudes (60° north and south) where it meets with Ferrel cells. The dense cold air from polar cells meet with light warm air from Hadley cells (that are coming from 30° north/south and pick up moisture as it travels over oceans). The two contrasting airs meet at 60° north/south and the mixture of the two air types creates unstable weather conditions in a low pressure system. (Temperate Forests - e.g the UK)

Compare the climates of the different biomes

• Polar - cold all year round but summer is usually less than 10°C and winters normally below - 40° so distinct seasons (cold summer and even colder winters). Low rainfall, below 500mm a year which is mainly in summer.

• Hot desserts - Diurnal temperature range is extreme, ranging from 45°C in the te to below 0° at night. Very little varied rainfall, below 250mm a year and might only rain once or twice every three years

• Grasslands (Savannah) - Distinct wet and dry seasons. Highest temps of 35°C before wet season and lowest temps of 15°C just after wet season. Quite low rainfall of 850mm per year.G

• Grasslands (Temperate) - Hot summers of 40°C and cold winters of 40°C. Little rainfall mostly in late spring/early summer (350mm per year)

• Coral reefs - Warm areas that receive lots of sunlight. Grow best in shallow, clear, salty water.

• Temperate forests (decidous and coniferous both have similar climates) - Four distinct seasons with warm summers (20°C) and mild winters (5°C). High rainfall all year round of up to 1500mm per year

• Tropical Rainforest - NO distinct seasons. Hot, usually between 20°C and 28°C. High rainfall around 2000mm per year. And it rains everyday usually in afternoon

Flora and Fauna in hot deserts

Flora - Plant growth is a sparse due to lack of rainfall. Long plant roots to reach deep water supply or plant roots are spread out wide to catch as much water when it rains. Some plants have fleshy stems and thick waxy skin to cope with the dry conditions.

Fauna - Many animals are nocturnal so they can stay in shade during hot day. Bigger animals adapted to lose very little water and tolerate dehydration (e.g camels). Many birds leave during the hottest times. Small mammals have large surface area to volume ratio so can lose heat easier and don't overheat

Where are tropical rainforests found

Between the tropics, around the equator

Where are hot deserts found

Between 15° and 35° north and south of the equator

Where are polar biomes found

North and South pole. 90° north and south latitude.

Where are Coral reefs found

Mostly between 30° north and south of equator. A few miles off the coast

Where are savannah grasslands found

Between the tropics

Where are temperate grasslands found

Mid- latitudes

Where are Temperate Forests found

Mainly in mid latitudes. Between tropics (23.5° north and south of equator) and Polar regions

Flora and Fauna of Grasslands (Savannah and Temperate)

Savannah - mainly grass with a few scattered trees. Plants have long roots and small waxy leaves to cope with low rainfall. Home to insects and larger animals. Both have grazing animals that can travel long distances in search or water. Non - grazing animals can dig burrows to escape harsh climate.

Temperate - mainly grass with very little trees. Grass have wide roots to absorb as much water as possible. Home to fewer animals. Both have grazing animals that can travel long distances in search or water. Non - grazing animals can dig burrows to escape harsh climate.

Flora and Fauna of coral reefs

Few plants since it is underwater. Tiny aglae live inside tissue of corals and they (corals and algae) depend on each for nutrients. Fauna-wise : Coral itself is an animal and around 25% of all marine species live in coral reefs. Many fish have flat bodies so they can easily swim on hide in small gaps in coral

Flora and Fauna in Temperate Forests (Decidous and Coniferous)

Deciduous - Broad trees that drop their leaves in autumn. Forest floor plants often in spring before trees grows it’s leaves and blocks light out.

Coniferous forests - Evergreen trees to make use of available sunlight all year round. Low growing plants and grasses on forest floor

Both (Fauna) - Lots of different species of mammals, birds and insects.

What is the nutrient cycle and how does it work

A system where energy and matter are transferred between abiotic and biotic parts of the environment.

Why is the rainforest nutrient cycling so rapid?

1)The forest floor is hot and damp so this enables rapid decomposition of material.

2) Rapid uptake of nutrients from abudnace of vegetation

What is the greatest store in nutrient cycle

Biomass

What are microclimates and why do they exist?

Microclimates are small regions within a general climate zone that have their own unique climatic conditions. They exist because of local physical features such as mountains and bodies of water or due to human features such as buildings and roads

How do rainforests produce their own waterfall and how is deforestation impacting this?

Water is stored in the trees of the rainforest as biomass. The solar energy from the Sun then heats up the biomass and water exits through the leaves via evapotraspiration. The water vapour in the air rises (because hot air rises) and then as it cools down, it condenses and comes back down as rainfall the cycle then repeats and this is called a convection rainfall.

Deforestation impacts this because when we lose our trees we are losing a source of water in the convection rainfall of the rainforest and without the trees water wouldn't be able to evaporate and transpire into the air as water vapour which alters rainfall. The lack of trees will also cause leaching and for the soil to flood when heavy rain falls. The soil will also be ruined by the intense heat which will bake the soil making it hard to grow as the trees are no longer there to shade the soil

What is the soil like in rainforests and why

Most of the soil in the tropical rainforest are called latosols. The soil is not very fertile and is very thin and poor. Nutrients are concentrated in the upper top soil this is because the the trees have a rapid uptake of minerals before the lower layers of the soils can get it. There is also lots of leaching. The soil is also slightly acidic and grayish red in colour, this red colour is due to the rich iron and aluminium compoundsm. The soil is also poor because nutrients cycling is very rapid and dead Matter decomposes quickly (due to humidity) before the soil can absorb it

What is the structure of a rainforest

There are four main layers of the rainforest. The first one is the shrub layer or the ground layer. This layer is less than 5 meters in height. The next layer is the under canopy which is between five and 15 meters above soil. The next layer is the canopy which is 15 to 30 meters above soil and finally the top layer is the emergent layer which is 30 to 60 meters above soil

Flora and Fauna of a rainforest

Most trees are evergreen to take advantage of the continual growing season. The vegetation cover is also very dense and very little light reaches the forest floor so lots of plants grow on other plants and take nutrients and moisture from the air, for example orchids and ferns. Trees in the emergent layer are very tall and have big wide buttress roots to support trunks and only have branches at their crown where most light reaches them. In terms of fauna the tropical rainforest contains more animal species than any other ecosystem. Many animals are camouflages so they can hide from predators and other animals are nocturnal so they sleep through the day and feed at the night when it's cooler to help them save energy.

Explain how the rainforest ecosystem is interdependent

How many indigenous people live in the tropical rainforests

50 million

What is leaching of soil? why does it occur quickly at tropical rainforest soil?

Leaching is when the water washes away minerals and nutrients out of the soil. This happens so quickly because it rains often in the rainforest and the minerals are sitting on the top layer so rain . doesn't have to suck out the nutrients from llower layers of the soil.

Bonus : try find out why it gives it a reddish colour

What is the differences between goods and services

The goods provided by an ecosystem are the physical products and items that can be used by people. The term services on the other hand refers to the unique role or job that the ecosystem plays in its environment. Goods are often locally produced, whereas the tervice role that ecosystem plays can often have a global effect.

What are some goods the tropical rainforest provides us with

Fruits and vegetables such as passionfruit, cane sugar, bananas, citrus fruits and avocados.

Oils such as palm oil, coconut (used in sun tan lotion, candles ), rosewood and ylang - ylang (used in perfumes)

Nuts such as Brazil nuts and cashews

Fibres such as bamboo furniture, rugs, mattress and rattan

Woods such as teak, mahogany, and rosewood

Medicines such as Curare which is used as a muscle relaxant and quinine which is used as an anti malaria treatment. 70% of plants have been proven to have anti-cancer properties found in the tropical rainforest.

Rubber in products such as car tyres and rubber mats

Flavourings like vanilla,coffee, cocoa and tea

Guns and resins in painting products, on golf balls and in chewing gum

What are some services the tropical rainforest provides

Known as the earths sponge because thee trees reduce the rod the flood risk as the leaves intercept and slow down the rain water. This reduces the time it takes for the water to reach the soil and soak into the ground.

They maintain some of the world's most fragile soils protecting them from soil erosion.

The rainforest is a habitat for a wide range of flora and fauna so which are the most endangered like the orangutan.

Rainforest provide a source of income for indigenous people through agriculture and tourism.

Tropical rainforest maintain the water cycle pumping moisture into the atmosphere and providing the Globe with a greater defense against droughts, forest fires and extreme weathers.

They provide the world's rainforest (most of it) and form a cooling band around the equator like a giant thermostat.

Tropical rainforest are often refer to as the lungs of the earth as they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. This process of photosynthesis means rainforest are an important carbon sink. Cutting down and burning rainforest and removes this important sink sending vast amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. In fact 25% of the world's emissions now are from deforestation to put this in Context only 14% come from cars planes and factories combined

What is shifting cultivation and how is it sustainable

1) a small area of Forest is cleared by chopping down trees are burning them.

2) seeds are grown in the new clearing and ash from burning trees adds nutrients to the soil.

3) initially the crops grow well but after two to 4 years the soil loses its fertility

4) people move on to other parts of the rainforest and the trees in this clearance slowly regrows

This js environmentally sustainable because it allows for the new growth of trees by not using the land so much they kills the soil. This is socially sustainable because it provides people with jobs. This is also economically sustainable as people can go back and reuse the land instead of it being a one-time use which provides the government with more GPD from sales.

What are some methods to sustainably manage an area of tropical rainforest

Agroforestry is growing trees and crops together. Some crops benefit from the shelter of the tree canopy. Trees also prevent soil erosion and crops benefit from the nutrients in the leaf litter.

Selective logging is when trees are only cut down when they reach a certain height. Young trees are allowed to mature so the height of the canopy is maintained.

Reforestation is the replanting of trees to replace the original primary forest that had been lost. This method does not maintain the biodiversity of a natural forest.

Afforestation is growing trees and a place where there wasn't before

Monitoring users satellite technology and photos to ensure that no illegal activities are taken place and that land owners follow guidelines for sustainability

Protecting areas is simply about giving places legal protection and enacting tight laws that stop deforestation in certain places

Evaluate a case study that have attempted to sustainably manage an area of tropical rainforest

Samasati Nature Reserve

• Located in Costa Rica in Central America and uses ecotourism to sustainably manage its rainforests

• Takes in over 250 acres of primary and secondary rainforest

Environmentally sustainable:

• Uses green wood which is wood that has naturally fallen reducing deforestation

• Wood was transported by oxen instead of machinery which lowers CO2 emissions

• Buildings fit between trees in forest

• No heavy machinery used in constructio

• Timber uses from afforestation project

• Colours of buildings blends in with the landscape so doesn't ruin unique landscape with urban style and doesn't disrupt/conuse wildlife as much

• Natural light and ventilation used so energy sources dont need to built

• Drinking water comes from natural springs so artificial pipes don't need to be built

• No exotic species of fauna or flora have been brought in to avoid alterations to ecosystem

• Rainwater is collected in roofs and used for toilets and showers

• Toilet excretion can provide nutrients to soil

• Only biodegradable soap, detergents and shampoos allowed

Socially sustainable

• Only hires locals which provides them with an income and improves quality of life and standard of living

• Creates a good relation with tourist and locals

• Teaches tourist about rainforests and brings awareness of deforestation

Economically sustainable

• Organic waste is sent to local farmers and used as fertiliser which saves farmers money.

• Natural ventilation means don’t need to buy AC which reduces money spent

• Hires locals so increases GPD per capita

• Rainwater is used so dont need to spend money on water

• most environmental factors can apply as economic factors

Unsuccessful because tourists can interact with local tribes and wildlife and expose them to harmful diseases which can kill them. Animals can also confuse new construction with their usual habitat and distress them.

Causes of deforestation

1) Logging

2) Cattle ranching

3) Palm oil plantations

4) Mineral extractions

5) Tourism

6) Hydroelectric power and Dam building

7) Road construction

what is the definition of deforestation

the permanent removal of forests to enable the land to be used for something else

Explain logging and its impacts (bonus: use place specific detail)

Logging is when trees are chopped down and the wood is used for things. About half of it is used for feul wood the other uses include building materials, furniture and paper.

(Direct) logging only accounts for 10% of deforestation. It also contributes to global warming as it realeases carbon into the atmosphere.

Two types of logging:

Clear felling - clearing whole areas of forest regardless of use

Selective logging - selecting trees to cut down. Usually selecting bigger/ better value trees then leaving smaller trees to grow. However deforesting one tree can have a knock on effect and many more can be damaged anyways.

Indonesia has 1/10 of the remaining rainforests in the world but is destroying them faster than any other country because the Indonesia government has licensed much of their rainforest for logging in order to grow country’s economy. Two million hectares of indonesian rainforest are disappearing every year. Indonesia covers barely 1% of earths land but accounts for 8% of global carbon emissions due to this.

In contrast, over the last decade illegal logging has decreased by 50%-75% across Cameroon, Indonesia and the Brazilian Amazon

Explain cattle ranching and its impacts (bonus: use psd)

Cattle ranching is the agricultural practice of raising herds of cattle on large open land.

It accounts for 6.5% of deforestation.

Popular because it is low risk and low maintenance in comparison to cash crops such as palm oil. It is also not vulnerable to changes in global prices, climate and environment. It is also in high demand (especially in USA) so farmers make good return.

Causes soil erosion and siltation due to areas of exposed land.

In northern regions of the Amazon basin, cattles have outnumbered people by 10 to 1.

Around 80% of brazils deforsested areas are used for cattle.

Cattle Ranching in the Amazon rainforest is responsible for 340milliom tonnes of carbon per year. It also takes up 8.4 million hectares of land.

What is siltation

Siltation is where the soil is blown away due to soil erosion. it blows into rivers and raises the riverbed and as a result increases risk of flooding

Explain cash crops and its impacts

Cash crops are agricultural crops that are planted for the purpose of selling on the market or for export to make profit.

It accounts for 16.5% of deforestation

Palm oil is one of the most profitable cash crops and is foud in around half of all products sold in supermarkets. It also used to create fuel known as biofuel.

Indonesia has the world's largest palm oil plantation and it provides employment for 3 million people.

Areas of trees need to be cleared but a plantation can be created and it is cut down in a process callrd sladg and burn where the trees are cut down and burnt. The ash ftom the burnt trees provide shirt term nourishment for the soil. However once the palm oil have been harvested the land is useless

Explain how tourism can aid deforestation

Unsustainable mass tourism results in the building on hotels in vulnerable areas and can have a negative impact on the relationship between communities and local government. It can also encourage construction of roads to allow better access to areas for touristsm.

Inm Indonesia, tourists have offered indigenous ape communities food which exposes them to human diseases and causes them to become ill

Explain the link between Hydroelectric power and Dam building

Common along rivers such as the Amazon in South America and the Mekong is Laos. It forces thousands of people out of their land (displacement). Large swathes of rainforest are also flooded upstream of the dam. The dam creates Hydroelectrical power which can cause other causes of deforestation such as logging and road building. Silt is also held back by the dam meaning fewer nutrients are supplied downstream for small scale agriculture.

It has some positives as it creates jobs and supplies people within the area with hydroelectrical power energy.

What impacts does road construction have (use psd)

Can be argued that it is vital to help poorest communities gain a better standard of living and can create land available for hiusing and urbanisation but most roads aren't used for that.

The Trans- American highway linked Belem in the Amazon rainforest to the city of Brazil, Brasilia. It began with a very thin cut through the rainforest but lead to a 400km wide expanse of rainforest destruction.

In Congo, a 50,000km project led to many more km of illegal roads branching from the main road which has opened their tropical rainforest to illegal logging.

Flora and Fauna in Polar ecosystems (Artic and Antarctica)

Flora - very few plants like lichens and mosses on rocks and few grasses on coast where it is waemer. plants grow slowly and not tall.

Fauna- Relatively few species compared to other ecosystems. Antarctica has mostly sea animals but Artic has both. Animals adapted to live in extreme conditions. For example polar bears have thick fur coat. Black nose and feet to absorb any heat/light easier. Small surface area to volume ratio to reduce heat loss. Large feet to distribute weight and increase grip on ice. Greasy coat on fur that sheds water after swimming. Penguins huddle to keep warm etc etc

What is the food web like in Polar regions

Producer = phytoplankton, zooplankton

primary consumer= fish (and zooplankton)

secondary consumer = krill, squid, jellyfish, seals

tertiary consumer = sea birds, polar bears, whales

Describe the artic soil

Above the soil there is a permafrost layer which is soil, rock or sediment that is frozen for more than 2 consecutive year. Above the permafrost there is an active layer which is areas not overlain by ice and exists beneath a layer of soil rock or sediment which freezes and thaws annually

How are homes in the artic adapted

Built on stilts so when active layer thaws, the sediments in the active layer can move freely while the house stays in place. It also prevents yourself being trapped in house when there is higher levels of snow/ice. It also reduces the heat transfers from house to permafrost to avoid melting the land.

Windows are small to trap heat inside and reduce heat loss and to manage light coming in and out.

Roofs slope steeply so ice can slide of easily

Explain the connection between climate change and oil and gas exploration in the Artic

In 2009 it was discorved that the seabed under the Artic ocean holds 30% of the worlds remaining untapped gas resources and 13% of the untapped oil resources. Ice melting due to temps increasing made these resources much more accessible to large companies such and Shell and ice melting also created more trade routes which increases the people that can go there.

Drilling for oil/gas releases carbon dioxide which is a harmful greenhouse gas futher contributing to climate change. It creates a positive feedback loop as burning fossil fuels = temp increase = ice melting = easier access to burn fossil fuels. (A positive feedback loop is a loop leading away from the norm). Less ice also means warmer atmposhere as ice reflects sun radiation (albedo effect) bc it is white.

Why are oil spills an issue (use psd)

• Polluted the water

• Biomagnifcation

• Costly (cost 2billion to clean the excon valdez oil spill in 1989)

• Impossible to clean

• Blocks light getting to ocean which affects of phytoplankton and affects food chain

• Kills wildlife

• Gets washed up on shores and impacts coastal landscapes

• Took over 2 decades for environment to recover with excon valdez oil spill

Tell me about a small scale example of sustainable management in either the Antarctic or the Artic

Clyde River Managment Sanctuary

• Started in 2008 in Artic

• Located at Clyde River at the coast of Baffin Island in Northern Canada

• The Clyde River is 109-mile long river and is 601 metres deep and almost 2 miles wide

• Banned commercial fishing and mineral exploration

• Area extends 12 nautical miles from coast and covers 3360km²A

• A sanctuary ( a sanctuary is an area designed for protection of wild animals by preventing human hunting and reserving the environment) for the conservation of up to 2000 bowhead whales every year on their migration route around the coast of northern canada

• It includes two deep offshore troughs that are rich in phytoplankton where the whales can feed on.

• Other animals such as polar bears, narwhals, seals, fish, geese and ducks can also benefit from this sanctuary

• Allows the 1000 Innuit people that live there to continue with sustainable whaling traditions (only a few not endangered whales a year) because without it they would struggle to find food sources as it is hard to grow crops in Artic region

• Not successful as we can’t stop whales from leaving protected area on their migration route

• It prevents large cruise ships from entering the area (bc it disrupts whales) which reduces tourist revunue

• Reduces jobs (mineral extraction, commercial whaling) which reduces GNI for people in Canada.

• Successful because bowhead whales can breed safely and increase in number

Who are the Innuit and how were they sustainable

The Innuit people are a small indigenous group living in Barrow in Alaska. (Barrow is on the coast of Alaska which means it maintains a good link too neighbouring countries for trade and food can be provided from the ocean since it is along the migration route of many marine animals . Artic weather is also warmer towards the coast)

The Innuit people make the most of the animals they hunt and don't just use it for meat for example they use the animal's fur/skin as coats and they do whaling on a very small scale.

Assess a global example of a sustainanble management in either the Antarctic or the Artic

The Antarctic treaty started in 1961 is a global sustainable management in Antarctica with over 56 countries that meet regularly to protect the ecosystem. It has 14 rules which include

• No military activities are allowed besides scientific research or other peaceful purposes this is socially sustainable as a eases tension between countries and avoids wars. There have been no armed conlicft in Antarctica since treaty was signed

• Freedom of scientific investigation is allowed is economically sustainable as it keeps people in their jobs and environmentally sustainable as issues of global concerned can be researched and solved. For example the Ozone depletion. However much of the science conducted in the Antarctica is poor and is done to disguise territorial claims (socially unsuitable) are potential rights to mineral exploitation which can lead to oil spills which is economically and environmentally unsustainable

• No territorial claims are allowed which is socially sustainable (same reasons as no military activities)

• Nuclear explosions and radioactive waste disposal aren't allowed which is environmentally sustainable as it protects the land from toxic materials

• Doesn't allow the hunting of native animals and wildlife which prevents extinction of animals such as polar bears which are unique to polar regions. All visitors must fill in a EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) to ensure this. However no marine reserve was created due to competing fishing interests

Unsustainable because the Antarctic treaty ends in 2048. Also can't control on what goes outside of Antarctica and it’s surrounding oceans and also it doesn't protect Antarctica from inevitable global climate change. The Treaty doesn't provide countries with enough fund for scientific research upkeep which is economically unsustainable

How are climate and soil interdependent in the Artic and Antarctic

Colds temps causes plants to grow and decompose so soil is low in nutrients. Plants absorb sun (climatic) for photosynthesis which prevent permafrost below from thawing.

As climate increase, active layer thaws.

Why does the Antarctic matter to people living in the UK

Affects global climate via global warming or ocean currents which affects us