Geography ✿ sustaining ecosystems

ecosystems

the interaction of the non-living and living organisms to survive (interdependence)

Where are tropical rainforests located?

• along the equator

• between the tropics of Capricorn and cancer

describe the climate of tropical rainforests

• no seasons; hot and wet all year round

• humid

• annual rainfall of over 2000mm

Explain the process of nutrient cycling in the rainforest [3] 

• leaves fall off trees every year

• leaves decompose due to wet and humid climate, causing the nutrients to dissolve back into soil

• plants grow fast, so nutrients uptake from soil is rapid

Explain the importance of nutrient cycling in the rainforest [3] 

• provides enough nutrients for rapid nutrient uptake

• allows variety of species to grow

• allows plants to grow very large

Why are tropical rainforest soils considered to be amongst the poorest in the world? [3] 

• nutrients are taken up by plants quickly

• heavy rain leaches nutrients out of the soil

• less nutrients are left in the soil, making it infertile

Explain the process of the water cycle in the rainforest [4] 

• trees intercept rain

• some rain is taken up by soil and trees

• high temperatures evaporate water

• water vapour condenses and forms clouds

Explain how climate and plants are interdependent in tropical rainforest ecosystems [3] 

• trees need rain to grow

• plants photosynthesise using sunlight

• herbivores eat plants

what are 3 goods tropical rainforests have to offer?

• animal meat and fish

• food such as bananas and nuts

• medicines from plants

what are 3 services tropical rainforests have to offer?

• popular tourist site due to range of flora and fauna

• trees absorb CO2, maintaining atmosphere

• maintains nutrient cycle

what are 3 impacts of logging for the tropical rainforests?

• fewer trees leads to more CO2 in the atmosphere; enhancing greenhouse effect

• loss of potential medicines

• less trees receive water which increases the leaching of nutrients

what are 3 impacts of mineral extraction in the tropical rainforests?

• mining releases toxic chemicals into rivers, harming wildlife

• mining requires space which leads to deforestation

• fewer trees leads to more CO2 in the atmosphere; enhancing greenhouse effect

what are 3 impacts of agriculture in the tropical rainforests?

• Intensive farming depletes soil nutrients, making the soil infertile

• fertilisers and pesticides pollute rivers, killing wildlife

• monocultures can reduce biodiversity

what are 3 impacts of tourism in the tropical rainforests?

• can disturb wildlife

• tourists produce waste and litter that can harm wildlife

• increased used to vehicles can increase CO2 emissions

Where are the polar regions located?

• found in the north and south poles

• primarily in northern Canada, Russia, and Antarctica

describe the climate of the Arctic

10° C in summer

-40° C in winter

annual rainfall is less than 500mm

describe the climate of Antarctica

colder than the Arctic

-28°C in summer

-90°C in winter

Identify and explain two features of flora that allow them to survive in polar environment [4] 

• grows slowly

to conserve energy due to lack of nutrients

• hairy leaves

to limit transpiration

Identify and explain two features of fauna that allow them to survive in polar environment [4] 

• well insulated (thick fur/ blubber)

reduces amount of energy they have to keep warm

• white fur

helps to camouflage while hunting

Explain how climate and plants are interdependent in polar region ecosystems [3] 

• phytoplankton is grown in the sea

• phytoplankton rely on the nutrient-rich sea currents

• phytoplankton forms the basis of the food chain