AICE ENVIRONMENTAL: UNIT 4

Biomes, and ecosystems

All energy within ecosystems come from the?

All energy within ecosystems come from the Sun

Population is comprised of the same?

Population is comprised of the same Species

How is the interaction between biotic and abiotic factors illustrated?

They are illustrated through relative size and flow, as well as the store of nutrients between vegetation, litter, and soil

What are Climax communities?

Ecosystem that have similar kind of stable communities; can be grouped into biomes

What is a biome?

Large group of ecosystems that share the same type of climax community.

What are some biomes in the tropical region?

• Tropical forests

• grasslands

• Desert

What is a biome in the Subarctic regions?

• Boreal forest

What is a biome in the Arctic region?

• Tundra

What are the 3 climatic factors?

• Latitude: Line from West to East

• Altitude: Elevation above sea level

• Precipitation: Average yearly rainfall

What are two factors biome location is based on?

• Altitude

• latitude

What are the 3 types of desert biomes?

• tropical

• temperate

• cold

What are the 4 major components of soil?

• Water (25%)

• Air (25%)

• Organic matter (6%)

• Parent material (24%)

  *Parent material is mineral content of soil

When studying a biome, why do ecologists look at the plants/vegetation present in the climax community rather than the animals?

vegetation doesn’t migrate and is long term unlike animals.

Overview of the grassland biome; State:

• Characteristics

• Climate

• Location

• Threats

• Economic benefits

Temperate: Praire Tropical: Savanna

• Characteristics: frequent fires, large grazing animals, tall (humid and wet), and short (dry and hot) grass, soil rich in organic matter.

• Climate: Rainfall-Seasonal, 10-60 in/yr, avg temp, 20F- 70F

• Location: Central North US, Central Asia, Africa, South America, Southern India, Northern Australia

• Threats: conversion to agricultural land, global warming

• Benefits: land rich in soil used for agriculture

Overview of the Hot desert biome; State:

• Characteristics

• Climate

• Location

• Threats

• Characteristics: Very dry, hot days, cold nights, scattered shrubbery, thin porous soil, plant adaptations (Deep and surface root systems, spines instead of leaves to reduce water loss)

• Climate: Rainfall <10 in/yr, avg temp: 64F

• Location: North and South Africa, Middle East, Asia, Southwest US, North Mexico

• Threats: Urban developing, mining

Overview of the Cold desert biome; State:

• Characteristics

• Climate

• Location

• Threats

• benefits

• Characteristics: mountainous animals with thick fur, rock covered with lichen, few plants, sandy alkaline soil

• Climate: Rainfall 15-26 in/yr, Short summers

• Location: Greenland, Iran, Antarctica, Turkestan

• Threats: Climate change

• benefits: Carbon sink

Overview of the Tundra biome; State:

• Characteristics

• Climate

• Location

• Threats

• benefits

• Characteristics: Low growing shrubbery and grasses, 8-10 weeks growing period, thin soil with permafrost, low biotic diversity

• Climate: Summer 8-10 weeks, mild avg temp 45F-50F, winter avg temp 30F-20F, rainfall: 6in/yr

• Location: Greenland, Alaska, Northern Russia, Northern Canada, Coastal Arctic

• Threats: Mining and drilling, destroying land and species as migration patterns and habits are disrupted, system is very fragile and easily disturbed.

• benefits: Oil feed

Overview of the Tropical rainforest biome; State:

• Characteristics

• Climate

• Location

• Threats

• benefits

• Characteristics: high biodiversity, thin layer of fertile soil, many plants with unique adaptations

• Climate: Hot and humid, 20-35C, 2mm rainfall annually

• Location: Near equator, SA Africa, SE Asia, Madagascar, Pacific islands

• Threats: Deforestation, slash and burn, agriculture, poaching, damming, logging

• benefits: Ecotourism, agriculture, regulate climate, sequester carbon

Overview of the Boreal forest biome; State:

• Characteristics

• Climate

• Location

• Threats

• benefits

• Characteristics: many coniferous trees, thick furred animals, acidic soils, many wetlands

• Climate: Long winters, short summers, 25-50cm of rainfall

• Location: Northern Latitude, Canada, Russia

• Threats: Habitat loss, fragmentation, climate change

• benefits: Logging, tourism, mining

Overview of the Temperate deciduous forest; State:

• Characteristics

• Climate

• Location

• Threats

• benefits

• Characteristics: Leaves fall seasonally, soil is fertile due to leaf litter

• Climate: Warmer summers, cold winters, summer avg 21C, and winter drop below 0C, 75-50cm Rainfall

• Location: Eastern Us, Europe, Asia

• Threats: Habitat loss from development and agriculture

• benefits: Timer, agriculture, prevent soil erosion, tree moderate climate

What is ecological succession?

Biological change in the structure of a community over time

What is primary succession?

occurs on newly formed habitats with no existing community ( after glacier release or volcano erupts)

What is secondary succession?

Occurs on sites that have previously supported communities (after a hurricane)

What are pioneer species?

First species to colonize

What are intermediate stages?

Stages of succession between the pioneer species and climax community

What does NPP stand for? and what does it mean?

Net Primary Productivity

• refers to a per day, week or year

• NPP= GPP-R (respiration)

What. is GPP?

• Gross Primary production

• total energy captured by primary producers

what is the formula for efficiency?

Energy available after the transfer/ Energy available before transfer X 100

(usually in kilojules)

Most habitats are lost through human actions, which one is the most important?

Farming

What are invasive species?

Introduction of non-native species which become established species and spread quickly outcompete native or other species.

Invasive species can be microbes, fungi, plants, and animals.

What are native species?

Species that exist naturally in geographical areas.

What is the impact of invasive species?

Invasive species can disrupt local ecosystems, outcompete native species for resources, and lead to declines in biodiversity.

What is biodiversity?

Refers to all the species within an ecosystem as well as all the variations within a species (genetic diversity), and the many different ecosystems in an area.

What are the causes of habitat loss?

1. Drainage of wetlands

2. Agricultural practices

3. Deforestation

How does the drainage of wetlands lead to habitat loss?

The environmental services of wetlands include shoreline protection, maintenance of water quality, flood control, and providing habitat for a variety of species.

Wetland loss includes:

➡ Drainage for agriculture, forestry, and mosquito control

➡ Urban development and infrastructure expansion

➡ Dredging for flood protection

➡ Waste disposal

➡ Removal of ground water

How do agricultural practices result in habitat loss?

The main reason for the drainage of wetlands is agricultural land. It is estimated that around 75% of this has occurred in temperate latitudes. The remaining 25% is within the tropics.

➡ Other aspects of agriculture include pesticide use, monoculture, and habitat fragmentation.

➡ The agrochemical is soluble in water, and the runoff can lead to pollution and further degradation of habitats.

➡ For example: Fish in coastal areas of Mexico have been badly affected by agricultural runoff, leading to declines in fish populations and overall ecosystem health. They enter the Gulf of Mexico down the Mississippi.

How does deforestation cause habitat loss?

➡ Need for wood

➡ Logging is a process by which wood is extracted from a forest and made into timber.

➡ Timber is needed by more economically developed countries for products ranging from luxury furniture to paper.

What are some ways to conserve biodiversity?

Conserving biodiversity can be achieved through methods such as establishing protected areas, restoring habitats, implementing sustainable practices, and enforcing wildlife protection laws. Additionally, education and community involvement play crucial roles in conservation efforts.

What is mineral extraction?

The process of removing valuable minerals or resources from the earth, often leading to habitat destruction and pollution. This includes mining activities for metals, coal, and other geological materials.

Occurs in polar regions like Antarctica

Why is Antarctica an abundant source of energy?

➡ Contains abundance of fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas.

➡ Countries are looking at Antarctica as a possible location for new oil supplies, since one of the largest coal fields in the world can be found there.

Why does fishing and Whaling occur commonly in Antarctica?

The polar oceans are good for commercial fishing, allowing for the massive amounts of Krill to be harvested from the waters.

How is tourism in Antarctica?

➡ Polar environments have an increasing rate of tourism.

➡ Over 36,000 tourists visited Antarctica in 2014 for its environment

Describe scientific research in Antarctica

➡ Between 4000-5000 people rom over 14 nations live in scientific bases on Antarctica in the summer.

➡ Scientists study weather patterns, geology, and past climate changes to understand global trends.

How does government impact Antarctica?

➡ Governments play a key role in ensuring that technology is used responsibly in polar environments.

➡ They have the power to create laws which state how polar environments can, and should be used. These laws can be supported by different countries through international agreements.

What is the Antarctic Treaty?

➡ Signed on 23 June 1961, by 12 countries then active in Antarctic science.

➡ Still remains, now with 53 countries

➡ This allows standards to be set to ensure that economic development does not happen at the expense of the environment.

➡ Its objective is to demilitarize Antarctica, and make it free from nuclear testing, and the disposal of radioactive waste.

➡ Also to set aside dispute over territorial sovereignty.

What is the Montreal Protocol?

An international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances that are responsible for ozone depletion.

What is ecotourism?

Defined as responsible travel to natural areas that conserve the environment, sustain the well being of the local people, and involve interpretation and education.

What are the principles of ecotoursim?

1. Minimize physical, social, behavioral and psychological impact.

2. Build environment and cultural awareness.

3. Provide positive experience for both, visitors and hosts.

4. Provide direct financial benefits for conservation.

5. Generate financial benefits for both, local people and private industry.

6. Deliver memorable, interpretive, experiences to visitors that help raise sensitivity to host country’s political, environmental, and social climate.

7. Design, construct, and operate low-impact facilities.

8. Recognize the rights and spiritual beliefs of the indigenous people in community and work in partnership with them to create empowerment.