geography - the living world

Ecosystem

A community of plants and animals loving together in a habitat

Abiotic factors

Non living factors

Biotic factors

Living factors

Trophic levels

Tertiary consumer, Secondary consumer, Primary Consumer, Producer

Energy is lost as

You go up tropic levels

There are less animals

As you go up trophic levels

Energy is lost by

Respiration, Energy expanded by looking for food, Not eating 100% of the food (bones), Excretion

Food webs

Are complex hierarchies of plants and animal relying on each other for food

Frenstaple woods is

A temperate deciduous forest in Waterloovile

Producers in Frenstaple woods

Oak, Spindle

Primary consumers in Frenstaple woods

Butterflies, Catapillers

Secondary consumers in Frenstaple woods

Robins, Hedgehogs

Tertiary consumers

Sparrow hawk, Fox

In an exam question on frenstaple woods it is important to refer to

Examples (animals) and energy cycles (nutrient cycles and food chains)

Tropical rainforest climate

High temperatures little change, High water little change, Near the equator

Temperate deciduous forest climate

Higher temperatures in the summer, Average rain (60mm), Found above the tropics of cancer and below capricorn

Tropical Savannah/Grassland climate

Average temperature little change, Has a wet season, Near to tropics of Capricorn and cancer

Hot desert climate

High temperature little change, Low rainfall but often small spike, Near tropics of Cancer and Capricorn

Cold desert/ tundra climate

Low temperature, Little rainfall, Far away from the tropics

Tropical rainforest are found in

America, Oceania, Asia, Africa

The rain varies across the year due to

The intertropical convergence zone

Rainforest soils are

Poor due to leaching from rain

Interdependent

Parts of the nutrient cycle relaying on each other

Drip tip leaves

Thick waxy leaves allowing water to drip of preventing rotting

Buttress roots

Rainforest soils is poor they are at the top of the soil and have a large surface area

Lianas

These are a climbing vine that begins life on the forest floor they clime up trees to get closer to sunlight

Emergents

These are trees that are taller allowing them to get more light

Pitcher plants

This is a carnivorous plant that eats insects for nutrients due to the poor soil

Bats

Can fly to reach fruit

Three toed sloth

Long claws to clime trees and alge grows on them acting as camouflage

Deforestation causes

Cattle farming, Commercial Agriculture, Logging, Mineral extraction, Road building, Energy development, Population growth

Global deforestation impacts

Global warming, Loss of biodiversity

Local deforestation impacts

Local climate change, Soil erosion and fertility, River pollution, Decline of indigenous tribes, Conflict

Value of the rainforest

Prevention of global warming and production of oxygen, Medicine: 90% of diseases can be treated with medication from nature, Food: Coffee bananas cinnamon ect, Rubber: for tyres

What is one method of sustainable practice in rainforests?

Selective logging and replanting

What role do national parks play in rainforest sustainability?

Conservation and education for scientific research

What is the International Tropical Timber Agreement?

An agreement on hardwood established in 2006

What is ecotourism?

A sustainable tourism practice that focuses on natural environments

What is one way the US has contributed to rainforest sustainability in Peru?

Debt reduction

Hot desert are found in

(Subtropical areas)

Interdependence in the desert is important as

Vegetation keeps the soil together and prevents it blowing away (desertification)

Cacti

Are succulent (store water), Have folds that increase its surface area and lets it expand, Spines to discourage animals, Waxy coating prevents water loss

Trees (desert)

Long dense deep root systems, Acacia trees are fire proof

Lichens

They are a pioneer species, Get nutrients form chemically breaking down rocks

Ephermal plants

Small seasonal leaves, Short life cycles

Desertification

The process by which land becomes drier as the result of climate change human activity or both

Desertification is caused by

The amount of vegetation decreasing as it exposes it to the soil and doesn't intercept rain. The baked soil with not absorb the water, harder to grow crops that bind the soil together.

Climate change (desertification causes)

Temperatures hotter

Less frequent rain

Population increase (desertification causes)

More people and animals eating vegetation

People cut down trees

More farming needed on less land

Planting acacia trees

Keeps soil together

Good for nutrients cycle

Appropriate source of revenue