Geography living world

• What are the key terms associated with ecosystems?

  Producer, consumer, decomposer, biome, food chain, food web, biodiversity
• What is the role of producers in an ecosystem?

  Producers convert energy from the environment into sugars through photosynthesis.
• What is the function of decomposers in an ecosystem?

  Decomposers break down plant and animal material and return nutrients to the soil.
• What is a biome?

  A biome is a large-scale ecosystem, such as a rainforest or desert.
• How does biodiversity relate to ecosystems?

  Biodiversity refers to the range and variety of living species in an ecosystem.
• What is the distribution pattern of tropical rainforests (TRF)?

  • Located along the equator
  • Found between the tropics
  • Examples: Amazon (South America), Congo (West Africa), Malaysia
• What are the seven causes of deforestation studied?

  Commercial farming, subsistence farming, mining, energy development, logging, road building, population growth.
• What is commercial farming and its impact on deforestation in Malaysia?

  Commercial farming, particularly palm oil plantations, is a major cause of deforestation in Malaysia.
• What is the significance of Malaysia in the global palm oil market?

  Malaysia is the largest exporter of palm oil in the world, supplying 85% of global palm oil with Indonesia.
• How does subsistence farming differ from commercial farming?

  Subsistence farming produces only enough food for the farmer and their family, while commercial farming is for profit.
• What is the impact of logging in Malaysia?

  Malaysia became the world's largest exporter of tropical wood in the 1980s, leading to deforestation.
• What is selective logging?

  Selective logging involves cutting down only mature trees while leaving others intact.
• What are the environmental impacts of mining in Malaysia?

  Mining leads to rainforest clearance for building mines and constructing roads.
• What is the impact of energy development in Sarawak, Malaysia?

  Energy development involves building dams that displace forest-dependent people and inundate rainforest areas.
• How does road building contribute to deforestation?

  Road building provides access to mining areas, new settlements, and logging operations.
• What is the impact of population growth on deforestation in Malaysia?


  Population growth leads to land clearing for cash crops and new settlements.
• What is soil erosion and how is it affected by deforestation?


  Soil erosion occurs when tree roots that bind the soil are removed, leading to loose soil that erodes easily.
• Why is biodiversity important in rainforests?


  Biodiversity is crucial as rainforests are the most biodiverse ecosystems, and deforestation threatens many species.
• What are the climate change impacts of deforestation?

  Deforestation affects local and global climates by reducing CO₂ absorption and altering evapotranspiration processes.
• What are the consequences of deforestation on soil, biodiversity, and climate?

  • Soil erosion increases due to loss of tree roots.
  • Loss of biodiversity leads to endangered species.
  • Climate change is exacerbated by reduced CO₂ absorption.
• How does slash and burn farming affect the climate?

  Slash and burn farming releases stored carbon into the atmosphere, increasing the greenhouse effect.
• What is the mini water cycle in rainforests?

  The mini water cycle involves precipitation being intercepted by trees, leading to evapotranspiration and cloud formation.
• What are the opportunities and challenges in cold environments?

  Opportunities:

  • Resource extraction (oil, gas)
  • Tourism

  
  

  Challenges:

  • Harsh climate conditions
  • Limited infrastructure
• What is an ecosystem?

  The living and non-living components of an environment
• What is a biome?

  A large-scale ecosystem like tropical rainforests
• What does biodiversity refer to?

  The variety of plant and animal species
• What factors influence the level of biodiversity?

  Climate, habitats, and food sources
• What is interdependence in an ecosystem?

  Biotic components depend on each other and abiotic components
• What can changes in one component of an ecosystem cause?

  Significant impacts on other parts of the ecosystem
• What is one main interaction between biotic components?

  Feeding interactions
• What are the main components of food chains and food webs?

  • Producers: Start of food chains
  • Primary consumers: Eat producers
  • Secondary consumers: Eat primary consumers
  • Tertiary consumers: Eat secondary consumers
  • Decomposers: Break down organic matter
• What do food chains always start with?

  A producer
• Who eats producers in a food chain?

  Primary consumers
• What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

  They return nutrients to the soil
• What do decomposers break down?

  Dead organic matter and waste
• What is the source of energy in a food chain?

  Light energy from the sun
• How do food webs differ from food chains?

  • Food chains show linear feeding interactions
  • Food webs show complex feeding relationships
  • Food webs include multiple food chains
• What are the three roles of decomposers in an ecosystem?

  • Return nutrients/energy to the soil
  • Break down dead plants and animals
  • Release energy for recycling
• What types of habitats does a deciduous woodland provide?

  A variety of habitats for plants and animals
• Name a producer found in a deciduous woodland.

  Elm, beech, oak, or ash trees