The living world

What is an ecosystem?

A community of living organisms interacting with each other and their environment

What are biotic components of an ecosystem?

Living parts: plants, animals, microorganisms

What are abiotic components of an ecosystem?

Non-living parts: climate, soil, water, sunlight, temperature

What is interdependence in an ecosystem?

All components depend on and affect each other

What happens when one component of an ecosystem changes?

The balance is disrupted, affecting other components

What are the main global ecosystems?

Tropical rainforest, hot desert, temperate forest, tundra, grassland

What are large-scale natural global ecosystems called?

Biomes

What is biodiversity?

The variety of different species in an ecosystem

Why is biodiversity important?

Greater variety means ecosystem is more stable and resilient

What is a food chain?

Shows how energy passes from one organism to another

What is a food web?

Shows interconnected food chains in an ecosystem

What is a producer in a food chain?

Plant that creates energy from sunlight (photosynthesis)

What is a consumer in a food chain?

Animal that eats plants or other animals

What is a decomposer?

Organism that breaks down dead material (bacteria, fungi)

What is the tropical rainforest biome?

Hot, wet ecosystem near the equator with high biodiversity

Where are tropical rainforests located?

Near the equator (Amazon, Congo, SE Asia including Malaysia)

What is the climate of a tropical rainforest?

Hot year-round (25-30°C), very wet (over 2000mm rain/year), high humidity

What are the physical characteristics of a tropical rainforest?

Tall emergent trees, dense canopy, thin soil, high temperatures, high precipitation

What soil type is found in tropical rainforests?

Laterite soil (red, acidic, thin, low in nutrients)

Why is rainforest soil thin and poor?

Heavy rain leaches nutrients away, rapid decomposition

How do rainforest plants adapt to the environment?

Broad leaves with drip tips, waxy leaves, epiphytes, lianas, buttress roots

What are epiphytes?

Plants growing on other plants to reach sunlight

What are lianas?

Climbing plants hanging from tall trees

What are buttress roots?

Wide root systems spreading from trunk for support in thin soil

How do rainforest animals adapt to the environment?

Camouflage, bright colours (warnings), nocturnal behaviour, climbing abilities

Give examples of rainforest animals.

Jaguar, anaconda, poison dart frog, macaw, sloth

What is deforestation?

Clearing or removal of forests, usually for agriculture or development

Why is deforestation happening in tropical rainforests?

Commercial farming (cattle ranching, soy), logging, mining, infrastructure, population growth

What are the impacts of deforestation on biodiversity?

Species loss, habitat destruction, reduced food chains

What are the impacts of deforestation on climate?

Increased CO₂ (trees no longer absorb it), contributing to climate change

What are the impacts of deforestation on indigenous people?

Displacement, loss of traditional lands, cultural disruption

What is sustainable management of rainforests?

Using rainforest resources without causing long-term damage

What is selective logging?

Cutting only certain mature trees, allowing forest to regenerate

What is replanting?

Planting new trees to replace those cut down

What is conservation?

Protecting areas of rainforest from development

What is ecotourism?

Tourism that protects the environment and benefits local communities

What are advantages of ecotourism?

Creates jobs, funds conservation, educates visitors, provides income for local people

What is education for rainforest management?

Teaching people about importance of rainforests, encouraging sustainable use

What are international agreements on rainforests?

CITES (regulates trade of endangered species), FSC certification (sustainable logging), debt reduction schemes

Why are tropical rainforests valuable?

Biodiversity, carbon storage (fight climate change), indigenous cultures, medicines, climate regulation

What is the Malaysia rainforest case study location?

Southeast Asia, tropical rainforest

What are the characteristics of Malaysia's rainforest?

High biodiversity, dense vegetation, hot and wet climate, home to indigenous peoples (Orang Asli)

Why is Malaysia's rainforest being deforested?

Palm oil plantations, logging, infrastructure development

What are the impacts of deforestation in Malaysia?

Species loss (orangutan), habitat destruction, carbon release, indigenous displacement

What management strategies are used in Malaysia?

Protected areas (national parks), sustainable logging codes, education programs, ecotourism

What is a cold environment?

Polar or tundra regions with very low temperatures and limited vegetation

Where are cold environments located?

Polar regions (Arctic, Antarctic), high mountains, high latitudes

What are the physical characteristics of a cold environment?

Very low temperatures, permafrost, short growing season, sparse vegetation, ice/snow cover

What is permafrost?

Permanently frozen soil that thaws only on surface in summer

What does tundra mean?

Treeless landscape with low vegetation adapted to extreme cold

What is the climate of a cold environment?

Temperatures well below freezing, low precipitation (mostly snow), long dark winters

What vegetation grows in cold environments?

Mosses, lichens, dwarf shrubs, grasses (adapted for survival)

How do plants adapt to cold environments?

Low growth, dark colours (absorb heat), small leaves, quick reproduction cycle

Give examples of cold environment plants.

Lichen, moss, dwarf willow, Arctic poppy

How do animals adapt to cold environments?

Thick fur/blubber, seasonal migration, hibernation, light coloration

Give examples of cold environment animals.

Polar bear, musk ox, Arctic fox, reindeer, seal, whale

What is Svalbard?

Archipelago in Arctic Ocean north of Norway, part of Norway

What is the location of Svalbard?

Between 74° and 81°N latitude, halfway between mainland Norway and North Pole

What is the climate of Svalbard?

Extremely cold (winter -20°C, summer 5°C), low precipitation, permafrost, long dark winter, midnight sun in summer

What is the midnight sun?

Period in summer when sun doesn't set (24-hour daylight)

What is the polar night?

Period in winter when sun doesn't rise (24-hour darkness)

What is the vegetation in Svalbard?

Very sparse: mosses, lichens, dwarf shrubs, some grasses (tundra)

What animals live in Svalbard?

Polar bears, Arctic foxes, reindeer, seals, whales, Arctic birds

Why do people live in Svalbard?

Coal mining, tourism, research, geopolitical importance

What economic activities occur in Svalbard?

Coal mining (Store Norske), fishing, tourism, research (climate, Arctic ecology)

What are the opportunities from development in Svalbard?

Jobs (mining, tourism), income, research facilities, infrastructure

What are the challenges of development in Svalbard?

Harsh climate, permafrost melting, limited resources, environmental damage, indigenous rights

How is permafrost melting affecting Svalbard?

Infrastructure damage, building collapse, coastal erosion, methane release

What is the Global Seed Vault?

Storage facility in Svalbard preserving crop seeds for future food security

What strategies are used in Svalbard to balance development and conservation?

Protected areas, strict environmental regulations, sustainable tourism, research (understanding Arctic)

Why are cold environments fragile?

Slow recovery from damage, limited biodiversity, permafrost sensitivity, climate change impacts

What is the role of technology in managing cold environments?

Geothermal heating, efficient buildings, renewable energy (wind, hydroelectric)

What is the role of government in cold environment management?

Setting regulations, protecting areas, supporting research, managing development

What is the role of international agreements in cold environment management?

Arctic Council, environmental protocols, shared management of resources

How does climate change affect cold environments?

Rapid warming, permafrost melt, ice loss, species migration, habitat change

What is the impact of climate change on Svalbard specifically?

Warming faster than global average, permafrost thawing, glacier retreat, changing ecosystems

What conservation strategies are used in Svalbard?

National parks, wildlife protection, regulated hunting, tourism limits

What is the significance of the Arctic to the world?

Climate regulation, indigenous cultures, resources, research on climate change

How do indigenous people use cold environments?

Hunting, fishing, herding, traditional knowledge and practices

What is the Sami people of the Arctic?

Indigenous people of northern Scandinavia, traditionally herded reindeer

Why is indigenous knowledge important in cold environment management?

Long experience living sustainably, understanding local ecosystems, holistic approach

How do food chains differ in cold vs tropical environments?

Cold: shorter, fewer species; tropical: longer, more complex, higher biodiversity

Why is biodiversity lower in cold environments?

Harsh climate limits species survival, fewer food sources, extreme temperatures

What is the difference between tundra and permafrost?

Tundra is the vegetation zone; permafrost is the frozen soil condition

How do humans modify cold environment landscapes?

Mining, settlements, roads, tourism infrastructure, research stations

What risks does development pose to permafrost?

Thawing destabilizes ground, damages buildings and infrastructure, releases greenhouse gases

Compare Malaysia rainforest to Svalbard cold environment.

Malaysia: high biodiversity, wet/hot, rapid deforestation; Svalbard: low biodiversity, cold/dry, slow recovery

Why is tropical rainforest management harder than cold environment management?

Greater biodiversity loss rate, higher deforestation pressure, economic incentives for clearing, more species extinction risk

How is climate change differently affecting tropical rainforests and cold environments?

Rainforests: changing rainfall patterns, drought stress; cold: rapid warming, permafrost collapse, ice loss

What is the main threat to tropical rainforests?

Deforestation for agriculture

What is the main threat to cold environments?

Climate change causing warming and permafrost melt