Ecosystems

Adaptation

Adaptation of biotic components.

Causality

Causality linked to changes due to human activity.

Equilibrium and feedback

Equilibrium and feedback within the ecosystems.

Risk

Risk from global and regional threats

Systems

Linked to their structure and functioning.

Mitigation and sustainability

Linked to management and conservations.

Resilience

Resilience of native people.

Thresholds

Threshold tipping points with ecosystems

Key characteristics of forests

Warm and wet. Biodiversity. Trees- maple, elm, oak, coniferous. Ferns and mosses. Fungi. Thick vegetation for mammals e.g. bears, dear, owls and hawks. Insects. 4 seasons.

Key characteristics of grasslands

Prairies and steppes. Mainly grass. Trees and shrubs mostly absent. Moderate rainfall. Hot summers, cold winters. Seasonal droughts. Willow trees. Animals: gazelles, zebras, lions, snakes grasshoppers. Fertile soil. 28 degrees in summer and freezing in winter.

Key characteristics of deserts

Receive less than 10mm of rainfall per year. Hot and humid. Sub-tropical (hottest). Semi arid. Coastal. Polar(-50 degrees Fahrenheit). Kayote. Long shallow root systems-cactus. Desertification- Aral Sea.

Key characteristics of arctic

Lapland. Northern countries. Extremely cold (-30 degrees Celsius) summer= 3-12 degrees Celsius. 150-200mm of rainfall per year. Burberry plant-shallow root system, grow close together. Not largely inhabited by humans. Ox-large hard hooves. Reindeers

Provisioning Services

Supply the goods themselves such as food, water, timber and fibre.

Regulating Services

Govern climate and rainfall, water and spread of disease.

Cultural Services

Cover the beauty, inspiration and recreation that contribute to our spiritual welfare.

Supporting Services

Include soil formation, photosynthesis and nutrient cycling which underpin growth and production.