Ecosystems Under Threat

What is an ecosystem

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

What are biotic factors

Biotic factors are the living factors in an ecosystem

What are abiotic factors

Abiotic factors are the non-living factors in an ecosystem

OBTAINING ENERGY

What is a case study for Obtaining Energy in an ecosystem

The Ivanpar Solar Electric Generating System

The Ivanpar Solar Electric Generating System

- Opened in 2014 in the Mojave Desert, California, USA.
- Covers 360,000 hectares of land.
- Sunlight is focused by 173,000 mirrors onto three solar power towers.
- The heat from the Sun generates steam to drive turbines that generate enough electricity for 140,000 homes.

Negatives of ISEGS: ____ water sources are used to ____ the mirrors but water is already ____ in the region

Negatives of ISEGS: Local water sources are used to wash the mirrors but water is already scarce in the region

_____ are often killed by flying into _____ rays

Birds are often killed by flying into concentrated rays

____ had to be removed during construction

Vegetation had to be removed during construction

Habitats of the ____ eagle and ______ sheep have also been destroyed

Habitats of the golden eagle and bighorn sheep have also been destroyed

Positives: Solar ____ reduces the use of _____ fuels which adds to the _____ effect

Positives: Solar energy reduces the use of fossil fuels which adds to the greenhouse effect

OBTAINING WATER

which case study have we studied for Obtaining Water

The HIgh Plains Aquifer : An underground body of water in central USA

Problems:

The high plains aquifer suffers from over- _____ : which is when water is _____ quicker than it can be _____

The high plains aquifer suffers from over- abstraction : which is when water is taken quicker than it can be replenished

Effects:

Wells are drying up leading to water _____ in local communities who rely on the aquifer for up to __% of their water

Wells are drying up leading to water shortages in local communities who rely on the aquifer for up to 90% of their water

Without water for irrigation, ____ in the region could collapse, leading to a significant loss of ____, triggering the _____ multiplier effect

Without water for irrigation, agriculture in the region could collapse, leading to a significant loss of jobs, triggering the negative multiplier effect

Over abstraction can lead to _____ formation

Over abstraction can lead to sinkhole formation

OBTAINING FOOD

What case study have we used for how humans Obtain Food

North Sea Cod

North Sea Cod

- North Sea cod has been in short supply in recent years.

- This is because of unsustainable over-fishing because when too many young fish are caught, there are not enough fish left in the sea to breed and replace the fish stocks. - Fish stocks have to be managed because it takes up to four years for cod to breed.

Managing Overfishing

The __ manages the fish stocks in the north sea by imposing ______

The EU manages the fish stocks in the north sea by imposing quotas

Quotas are ______ put on the number of fish that can be caught in countries in certain sea areas.

Quotas are limits put on the number of fish that can be caught in countries in certain sea areas.

Management Effects

Uk fishermen have argued the quotas are too ______. They catch less fish so they earn less ______.

Uk fishermen have argued the quotas are too severe. They catch less fish so they earn less money.

What are the three ways the TRF is damaged by human activity

-D_________

-M_______

-F_______

What are the three ways the TRF is damaged by human activity

-Deforestation

-Mining

-Farming

What two processes we studied that take place in an ecosystem.

- F_____ C______

- N_____ C______

What two processes we studied that take place in an ecosystem.

- Food Chain

- Nutrient Cycle

How does deforestation affect TRF processes

One effect of deforestation is the _________ to the food chain. Due to the chopping down of trees (primary _______) insects and herbivores which are primary ________ will be deprived of ____ and therefore die resulting in decline in ______.

One effect of deforestation is the disruption to the food chain. Due to the chopping down of trees (primary producers) insects and herbivores which are primary consumers will be deprived of food and therefore die resulting in decline in biodiversity.

There is also a disruption to the ______ cycle because deforestation will result in a reduction of both b______ and leaf litter, meaning a reduction in available n_____ and fertility. This exposed soil is the vulnerable to soil erosion by w___ or w____, which will make it even less able to support plant life

There is also a disruption to the nutrient cycle because deforestation will result in a reduction of both biomass and leaf litter, meaning a reduction in available nutrients and fertility. This exposed soil is the vulnerable to soil erosion by wind or water, which will make it even less able to support plant life

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