the living world

what does a producer use to get food

sunlight

example of decomposes and their uses

fungi and bacteria

gets its energy by breaking down dead material

the nutrient cycle

when a dead material decomposes, nutrients are released into the soil

nutrients are taken up from the soil by plants which are eaten by consumers

when the plants or consumer dies, the nutrients are returned to the soil

case study for small scale ecosystem and what is it protected by

epping forest

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), meaning it is a protected environment.

species examples found in epping forest

•  a wide variety of native tree species that include beech, elm, oak and ash;

• a shrub layer consisting of hazel and holly, along with grasses, brambles, fern, bracken and flowering plants;

• 177 species of lichen and moss

• many primary consumers, including insects and small mammals, and deer, along with 38 species of birds

• secondary consumers such as owls, adders and foxes;

• 700 species of fungi, important decomposers, which are common due to a large amount of deadwood;

• over 100 lakes and ponds provide essential habitats for numerous fauna species (animals) and flora (plants).

how is the forest sustained

Recreation is controlled within the forest, including having designated car parking areas, a visitor centre, provision of rubbish bins and leaflets on how to use the forest to protect the environment. Paths for walking and riding are open to public use.

These strategies are sustainable because they protect the forest for future generations.

Along the roads, vegetation is cut back so that deer are aware of traffic and reduce the risk of motor vehicle collisions. Maintaining the foliage protects the native deer population from road traffic accidents.

This is a form of sustainable management as it helps protect current and future deer populations.

what type of ecosystem is epping forest

interdependent - all components rely on eachother

where is the tundra found and its characterists

high latitudes - above 60 degrees

very cold winters and brief summers

little precipitation

permafrost

little vegetation - mosses, grass, lowlying shrubs

where is grassland found and its characterists

between the tropics

distinct dry and wet seasons

most vegetation is grass with a few scattered trees

where are temperate deciduous forests found and its characteristics

mid latitudes

4 distinct seasons and rainfall all year

deciduous trees lose leave in winter to cope w colder weather

where is polar found and its characterists

north and south poles

very cold icy and dry

remain dark for several months each year so growing season is v short (2 months)

where is hot desert found and its characterists

found between 15 and 35 north and south of the equator, little rainfall

v hot in day and v cold at night

shrubs and cacti are sparsely spread in sand

where is tropical rainforest found and its characterists

around equator between the tropics

hot and wet all year round

lush dense vegetation

climate tropical rainforest

same all year round

suns energy is more intense near the equator as it is overhead all year round

rainfall is very high

plants tropical rainforest

most trees are evergreen to take advantage of the continual growing season

vegetation cover is dense so lttle light reaches forest floor

what are epiphytes

plants that grow on other living plants n take nutrients and moisture from the air

soil in tropical rainforest

not very fertile bc heavy rain washes away nutrients

surface nutrients due to decayed leaf fall, very thin as decay is very fast in the warm moist conditions

animals tropical rainforest

believed to contain more animal species than any other ecosystem

gorillas, jaguars, anacondas, tree frogs, sloths and howler monkeys are all found here and many species of insects and birds

people tropical rainforest

indigenous people have adapted to the rainforest

make a living by hunting, fishing, gathering nuts n berrries and growing vegatables

why do rainforests have v high biodiversity

contain around 50% of the worlds species, may contain around half all life on earth

stable and productive environments as climate is constant - hot n wet

plants and animals do not have to cope with changing conditions

humans interferring with tropical ecosystems

knock on effects - deforestation lead to climate change

trees intercept and take up lots of water and releases back into atmosphere, providing moisture for further rainfall but reducing tree cover may increase risk of drought

trees stabilise soil w their roots and provide some nutrients when they drop their leaves, fewer trees means that the soil would have less protection from heavy rainfall and the few nutrients would wash away quickly and plants would struggle to grow

how are tropical rainforest plants adapted

trees compete for sunlight by growing tall

plants have thick, waxy leaves with pointed drip tips so water does not damage plant and stops water collecting and fungi/bacteria growing

climbing plants like lianas use tree trunks to reach sunlight

trees have smooth bark so water runs of easily

large, stable butress roots to support tall trees

plants drop their leaves gradually all year so they can continuously grow

how are animals adapted to rainforests

strong limbs to move through canopies - howler monkeys

birds w short pointed wings to manoeuvre between dense tangle of trees

ability to swim to get across rivers

nocturnal animals like sloths to save energy

camoflaged to hide from predators - geckos

deforestation in the amazon rainforest

largest rainforest in the world - covers 8million km2, including parts of brazil, peru, columbia etc

almost 18million hectares if forest were lots between 2001 and 2012 - 1.4 hectares annually

estimated by 2030 that almost 30% of the amzon will be deforested if current rate is not reduced

reasons for amazon deforestation

• commercial farming - clear area for cattle grazing or plantations, around 200million cattle on about 450,000km2 of area

• subsistence farming - small scale farmers who need land to grow food to families, most indigenous people

• commercial logging - full of valuable hardwood trees, v profitable also require loads to be built to get to areas unaccessible

• mineral extraction - gold, iron ore, copper all mined and exported to help boost countries development

how much of global co2 emmisions deforestation responsible for and brazils

20%!!!!!!!!

which is more than all the worlds annual transport emissions combined

up to 75% of brazils co2 emissions come from deforestation

soil erosion due to deforestation

losing up to 100 tonnes of topsoil per hectare each year, may lead to landslide and flooding

reduces soil fertility cos nutrients washed away

commercial and subsitence farmers forced to find new areas to farm, more deforestation

economic impacts of deforestation

Brazil exported $600 million worth of beef also the worlds 2nd largest exporter of soil beans

mining industry creates jobs for many people, mining in peru employs over 8000 people

logging contributes to the economy but can destroy resources that countries depends on for things like tourism bc of the attractiveness of the area

what does the paris agreement state regarding deforestation and other facts

brazil pledged to reduce its carbon emissions by 37% by 2025

increased global awareness ab deforestation - UK supermarket iceland stopped manufacturing palm oil products in 2018

44% of the rain forest protected using funding for WWF etc

the Brazilian government uses satellite imagery to prevent large scale illegal logging

sustainable management of tropical rainforest

selective logging - only old trees, less damaging and maintains overall forest structure

replanting - new trees planted to replace cut down ones

ecotourism - minimises damage to env and benefits locals, only small number of visitors allowed into an area at one time n many rulles to minimise env impacts - in costa rica it is the largest sourced of income and has led to 21% of the country being protected from development

education - impacts of deforestation and encourage ppl to buy products from sustainable sources, ppl may cause damage unknowingly

reducing debt - means lic dont have to pay back debt and instead conserve rainforests, in 2011 the usa reduced indonesias debt by $29 million in exchange for conserving their rainforests

why are rainforest valuable to ppl and the environment

many products choc coffee etc are sourced from there

if species become extinct its harder to discover new meds and develop new products

reduces greenhouse effect by reducing co2 emissions and allowing the trees to continue absorbing co2

impacts do not just effect the countries it is happening in but globally

polar climate

v cold, below freezing

winds drop below -40 degrees and can reach -90 degrees

less than 100mm of precipitation annually

tundra climate

cold

warm months reach 10 degrees while winter -50 degrees

low precipitation

tundra soil

thin, acidic and not v fertile

permafrost

plants in polar

lichen and mosses

plants in tundra

hardy shrubs, grasses, mosses, lichens

short small trees may grow in warmer areas

animals in polar

polar bears, penguins, whales, seals

animals in tundra

lemmings, wolves and reindeer

people in tundra vs polar

polar mostly uninhabited, few scientists working there

tundra home to indigenous ppl and oil/gas workers

why is plant growth in summer good in tundra

plants absorb heat from sun, preventing thawing of permafrost

• humans stepping on plants have knock on effect, plants cannot grow from oversaturated soil, animals cannot eat, greenhouse gases also released from permafrost

plants adaptations to cold environments

become dormant to survive the long, cold winters

low growing and round shaped to provide protection from wind

shallow roots as permafrost below

leaves generally small to limit water loss through transpiration

very short warm, wet months so plants adapted to growing season of 50-60 days

animal adaptations cold environments

well insulated - thick fur of blubber, reduces amount of energy needed to stay warm

some animal hibernate to conserve energy and survival the winter - arctic ground squirrels hibernate 7-8 months a year

animals adapted to limited food supplies in winters

many birds migrate to warmer areas for winter

white coats for camoflague, hide from predators and sneak up on prey

what does the low biodiversity in cold environments mean

population is extremely interdependent on eachother

global warming, no where else colder for species to go so risk of decline or extinction

Where is Svalbard located?

• About 650 miles (1,050 km) from the North Pole

• Owned by Norway

• Main settlement: Longyearbyen

What is the climate and landscape like in Svalbard?

• Polar climate — long, dark winters and short, cool summers

• Temperatures often below −20°C in winter

• Covered by glaciers, mountains and permafrost

• Very fragile ecosystem

Who lives in Svalbard?

• Small population (~2,500 people)

• International community (Norwegian, Russian and others)

• Most live in Longyearbyen

• No one is born or buried there — residents must move if they cannot work

What are the main economic activities in Svalbard?

1. Coal mining (traditional industry but declining)

2. Tourism — Arctic cruises, wildlife, Northern Lights

3. Scientific research — climate change monitoring

4. Satellite stations due to remote location

Why is Svalbard important for scientific study?

• Ideal for studying climate change — warming faster than most places

• Glaciers show clear evidence of melting

• Home to global research stations

• Contains the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, which stores backup seeds from around the world

What challenges do people face living in Svalbard?

• Extreme cold and darkness (polar night lasts ~4 months)

• Risk from polar bears — residents must carry protection outside settlements

• Buildings must be on stilts because of permafrost

• Very expensive to import food and materials

• Limited jobs → mostly research, tourism, mining

What environmental threats affect Svalbard?

• Rapid global warming → melting sea ice and glaciers

• Threat to wildlife such as polar bears

• Tourism can damage fragile landscapes

• Pollution travels from other countries via air/ocean currents

Why is Svalbard a good example of a changing Arctic?

• Shows how humans adapt to extreme environments

• Demonstrates globalisation through international research

• Clear evidence of climate change impacts

• Balances economic use with environmental protection

why r cold environments so fragile

plant growth is sllow

species r highly specialised and find it hard to adapt to chnage

examples of goverments protecting cold environments

1964 wilderness act, to protect designated areas from development - much of alaska

international agreements protecting cold environments

1959 antarctic treaty - limits visitors to 100 per site n only peacful activities n prevents large cruise ships visiting, controls tourism so its not harmful

conservation groups protecting cold environments

WWF pressure goverments to protect them

Outline one way selective logging can be used to manage the rainforest sustainably.

• Selective logging reduces the overall extent of deforestation (1)

• It allows other trees to carry on growing (1)

• the selected trees are often older/more highly valued and the selective logging allows the forest to recover(1)