The Living World - AO1

How are climate and vegetation interdependent with each other

Climate (temp, rainfall and sunlight) determines what plants can grow

How are vegetation and animals dependent on each other

Plants provide food and shelter for animals

In turn, animals help with pollination and seed dispersal

How are vegetation and soil dependent on each other

Soil provides a solid base and nutrients for plants to grow

Decaying plans matter adds nutrients to the soil, helping new plants grow

How are soil an animals depends on eachother

Soil quality affects what plants grow, which impacts animal who may rely on them for food

Some animals, like earthworms, help aerate and fertilise the soil

How are climate and soil dependent on each other

Climate affects soil formation. In hot, wet climates decomposition is fast, making soil nutrient ruck. In cold and dry climates decomposition is, decomposition is slow, leading to nutrient poor soil

What is the nutrient cycle

The process by which nutrients move between soil, plants, animals and decomposers in an ecosystem

1. Plants absorb nutrients from soil to grow

2. Animals eat plants and take in nutrients

3. When plans/animals die, decomposers break down organic matter

4. Decomposers return nutrients to the soil

5. Process repeats, maintaining soil fertility and ecosystem health

Where are rainforests found, and what are some key characteristics

Near the equator

Hot and wet all year, with dense vegetation

Where are deserts found, and what are some key characteristics

15-30n degrees north and south of the equator

Very dry, extreme temperatures(hot and cold), sparse vegetation

Where are Savannahs found, and what are some key characteristics

Between rainforests and deserts

Warm, seasonal rainfall, grass dominates

Where are temperate grasslands found, and what are some key characteristics

Mid latitudes

Warm summers, cold winters and fertile soil

Where are temperate deciduous forests found, and what are some key characteristics

40-60 north (UK)

Mild climate, trees loose their leaves in the winter

Where are coniferous forests found, and what are some key characteristics

50 degrees north

Cold, evergreen trees, short growing season

Where are tundra found, and what are some key characteristics

Arctic regions

Very cold, low rainfall, permafrost, mosses/lichens

What is the climate like in tropical rainforests

High temperatures all year (27 ish)

High rainfall (2000+ mm/year)

Humid and stable climate

Structure + tree type in tropical rainforests

Tall, dense trees with layers (emergent, canopy, understory and shrub layer)

Evergreen trees

Fast growing

What is the soil like in rainforests

Name : Latosol

Depth - 20-30m

Colour = red

Litter = thin

Fertility = low

Explain the lack of nutrients in rainforest soil

Due to heavy rainfall, nutrients are quickly washed away (leeching)

5 adaptations of plants in the rainforest

Buttress roots - stabilise trees

Drip tip leaves - shed heavy rain

Lianas - woody vines that climb high to reach the sunlight

Epiphytes - plants which live on the branches of trees in the high canopy’s

Waxy leaves - reduce water loss

3 adaptations of the Toucan

Specialised big strong beaks - to crack open hard nuts

Colourful feathers - camouflage

2 forward facing toes, 2 backward facing toes - better grip on branches

3 adaptations of Howler monkeys

Prehensile tail - supports their whole body wight

Molars - for chewing leaves

Hyoid bone - creates loud howls for marking territory

Describe rainforests biodiversity

Highest biodiversity on Earth

Thousands of species of plants, animals and insects

Threatened by human activity (deforestation and pollution)

Hope does cattle ranching contribute to deforestation

Large areas of rainforest are turned into pastures for raising cattle once cleared

80% of brazils deforested areas have been turned into cattle ranches

Hope does mining contribute to deforestation

Large open cast mines are built to extract metals such as iron. Copper and manganese

Carajas is the largest mine in Brazil, it is thought to to have enough iron ore to last 400 years

Hope does logging contribute to deforestation

Trees are chopped down for their wood. examples include timber for pulp and paper. Mahogany and cedar for furniture

Hope does H.E.P. contribute to deforestation

To prove for brazils large population, rainforests are cleared for reservoirs and HEP stations.

Brazils energy demands are increasing due to population increase and an increase in wealth

Hope does slash and burn farming contribute to deforestation

Where forests is burned to realise nutrients back to the soil.

This tends to be small scale and low impact, practiced by Amazonian Indians

Hope does road building contribute to deforestation

Trees are cleared to make way for roads to improve communications and commerce

An example is the trans Amazonian highway, which is 4000km long and begun in 1972

Hope does population pressure contribute to deforestation

Rainforests re cleared to make housing for Brazils expanding population

About 70% of Brazils 200m people line in the Atlantic forest area

Environmental impacts of deforestation

Loss of biodiversity

Disruption to water cycle —> less rainfall = risk of drought

Soil erosion - infertile land

Climate change - fewer trees = less CO2 absorption

Economic impacts of deforestation

Short-term profits for logging/mining/agriculture

Long term loss of recordés (potential medicines and tourism)

Social impacts of deforestation

Indigenous tribes are forced to move

Conflict over land

Loss of culture and traditional ways of life

What is replanting, and how does it prevent deforestation

Relating is simply replacing trees in deforested areas

A projection in the Atlantic rainforest in Brazil has showing it is possible to recreate forest cover. They collect seeds from remaining patches of primary forests growing the seeds into saplings and nursing them

What is selective logging, and how does it prevent deforestation

Cutting trees only when they are fully frown.

This lets younger trees mature and continue protecting the ground from Edison. It involves a cycle lasting between 30-40 years

What is conservation and education, and how does it prevent deforestation

NGO’s provide education and protect certain areas of the rainforest (WWF, fauna&flora)

They promote the conservation message through education programmes in schools and colleges that provide training for conservation workers. They provide practical help and buy up threatened areas to create nature reserves

What is eco-tourism, and how does it prevent deforestation

This is where scenery, wildlife, remoteness and culture are the main attractions for tourists. Often it is low numbers paying a higher price

It aims to educate visitors and increase their understanding and appreciation of nature and local cultures. It is small scale and employs local people, it tires to minimise the consumption of non renewable recourses and the ecological impact

What is debt reduction, and how does it prevent deforestation

Most of the countries with rainforests are LIC;s and have debts from over seas aid

In 2010 for example, the USA signed an agreements to convert a debt of £13.5 million into a fund to protect rainforest areas. These swaps are all part of what is know as the debt reductions where HIC’s wrote off debts of some LIC countries

What are international agreements on hardwoods, and how does it prevent deforestation

Agreements between governments aimed at protecting biodiversity

The convention of international trade of endangered species notably blocks the illegal trade of rare and endangered animals and plants. The interaction tropical timber agreements restricts the trade of hardwoods from the rainforest. High prices are paid for the woods, which has encouraged huge amounts of illegal felling.

Where are deserts located

The arid zone, between the Hadley and Ferrel cells

Around the tropics (cancer and Capricorn)

What is desert climate like

Arid/dry

Cloudless (due to pressure systems of Hadley and ferrel cell)

Low levels of precipitation (less than 250mm/year)

Soaring temperatures during the day can reach 40-50

Temperatures at night can be sub 0

What is soil like in deserts

Made of rock and sand

Dry but soak in water rapidly

Very little organic material as there is a lack of vegetation

Evaporation draws salts to the surface, often leaving a white residue on the ground

They are not very fertile as top soil can be easily blown away

4 adaptations of desert plants

Succulent - store water efficiently (roots, fruit etc.)

Xerophytes - adapted to environments with little water

Tap roots - roots that reach towards the water table

Small linear leaves or needles - reduce loss of water through évapotranspiration

3 adaptations of the fennec fox

Adapted kidneys to reduce water loss

Thick fur on soles of feet - insulated from hot sand + good traction in loose sand

Sandy fur - camouflages and reflects heat

3 adaptations of the canal

Hump - stores fat that can be metabolised for energy

Thick lips - to eat prickly plants without feeling pain

Large feet p help walk on sand without sinking into it

What are 4 opportunités presented by hot deserts (no data required here)

Mineral extraction

Tourism

Farming

Energy

What is desertification

Land turning into desert, as soil becomes drier, and therefore more susceptible to wind erosion so the top soil is then blown away

How does climate change lead to desertification

Higher temperatures = more evaporation —> drier soils

Reduced rainfall = less water for plants —> less vegetation holding the soil together

Less vegetation —> more soil exposed to wind and water erosion

Longer sought are more common, especially in places like the Sahel

How does population growth lead to desertification

More people = greater demand for food, water and fiel

Leads to over-farming, deforestation and overgrazing

How does removal of fuel wood lead to desertification

In many dry areas, wood is the main source of fuel

People cut down trees for firewood —> deforestation

Fewer trees = less shade, less root structure, and more soil erosion

How does over cultivation lead to desertification

Growing too many crops on the same land exhausts the soils nutrients

Without nutrients plants can grow - leaving the soil bare and infertile

Makes the land vulnerable to wind and water erosion

How does soil erosion lead to desertification

Caused by wind and water when there is no vegetation to bind the soil

Once top soil is lost, its hard for anything to grow

Erosion = final stage that turns degraded land into desert

How does water and soil management help in managing desertification

Stone lines (bunds) - placed along contours of the land to slow water run off and allow water to soak into the soil (this has been done in the Sahel)

Terracing - slopes are cut into steps to reduce water runoff and soil erosion.this is especially useful in mountainous regions. (Tanzania)

Check dams and ponds - small dams or ponds collect and store water during the wet season to provide a water source during dry periods (India)

How does planting trees help in managing desertification

Planting trees in areas where they’ve been removed helps restore the vegetation cover, which stabilises the soil and reduced wind and water erosion

How does appropriate technology help in managing desertification

Simple, low cost solutions that are effective in addressing desertification and suitable for local conditions

Drip irrigation - water is delivered directly to plant roots, reducing water wastage. This helps conserve water in arid regions and improves crop yields (Israel and Jordan)

Windbreaks - rows of trees or shrubs are planted to block the wind, which reduces soil erosion and protects crops (Great green wall)

Sand Dune Stabilisation - using plants or barriers to stabilise moving sand dunes and prevent them from encroaching on farmland and communities (Mauritania)