Sustaining ecosystems

• What is an ecosystem?

  A community of flora and fauna
• What are the four components of an ecosystem?

  Animals, soil, plants, atmosphere
• How does litter affect soil nutrients?

  Litter cycles nutrients back into soil
• What role does energy play in ecosystems?

  Energy is transformed into heat and used for life processes
• What is the role of producers in a food chain?

  Producers are plants that create energy
• What determines the types of biomes found in different regions?

  Climate determines the biomes in each area
• What is primary productivity in a biome?

  Amount of energy produced by a biome
• Why are tropical rainforests considered highly productive?

  They have a high rate of energy production
• What adaptations do plants in tropical rainforests have?

  Buttress roots support weight and absorb nutrients
• How do sloths adapt to their rainforest environment?

  They camouflage in the forest to avoid predators
• What is the soil composition in tropical rainforests?

  Thin topsoil with rapid decomposition
• What is shifting cultivation?

  A sustainable farming method in forests
• What are some goods provided by rainforests?

  Medicines, food, and water purification
• How do rainforests contribute to climate regulation?

  They cool the climate and remove carbon
• What are the human impacts on rainforests?

  Logging, mining, farming, and tourism
• What actions did Costa Rica take to protect its forests?

  Passed laws banning deforestation
• What is ecotourism?

  A sustainable development for local employment
• What are polar biomes characterized by?

  Long, dark winters and ice-covered surfaces
• What is permafrost?

  Permanently frozen soil in polar regions
• How do human activities impact the Arctic?

  Fishing, sea trade, and mineral exploration
• What is bioaccumulation?

  Contamination passed through food chains
• What is the difference between Arctic and Antarctic regions?

  Arctic has frozen sea ice; Antarctic has frozen land ice
• What is the purpose of the Arctic Council?

  To promote environmental protection and cooperation
• What are the threats to the Arctic ecosystem?

  Global warming, resource exploitation, and pollution
• What does the Antarctic Treaty ban?

  Bans military bases and nuclear waste
• What is the environmental protocol of the Antarctic Treaty?

  Bans mining and controls fishing activities
• What are the main components of an ecosystem?

  • Animals
  • Soil
  • Plants
  • Atmosphere
• What is the process of shifting cultivation?

  1. Clear and burn a small area
  2. Grow seeds and use ash as fertilizer
  3. Crop grows but soil loses fertility
  4. Move on and allow area to regenerate
• What are the goods and services provided by rainforests?

  Goods:

  • Medicines
  • Food
  • Water purification

  Services:

  • Climate regulation
  • Energy production
  • Flood prevention
• What are the human impacts on the Arctic ecosystem?

  • Fishing
  • Sea trade
  • Mineral exploration
  • Climate change effects
• What are the differences between Arctic and Antarctic ecosystems?

  • Arctic: Frozen sea ice, polar bears
  • Antarctic: Frozen land ice, penguins
• What is the role of the Arctic Council?

  • Promote environmental protection
  • Facilitate cooperation among Arctic nations
• What does the Antarctic Treaty aim to achieve?

  • Bans military bases
  • Allows shared scientific research
  • Bans nuclear waste
• What are the threats to the Arctic ecosystem?

  • Global warming
  • Resource exploitation
  • Pollution from other regions
• What are some human impacts on the environment mentioned?

  Logging, mining, farming, tourism
• What is the purpose of Costa Rica's forest protection laws?

  To protect forests from rapid deforestation
• When did rapid deforestation in Costa Rica begin?

  1960s
• What was the effect of laws banning deforestation in Costa Rica?

  They helped protect 28 national parks
• What percentage of Costa Rica is protected by the UN?

  24%
• What are the key features of the Samasat nature resort case study in Costa Rica?

  • Timber from local forest conservation
  • Buildings fit between trees
  • Built on stilts to avoid soil harm
  • Natural colors blend with surroundings
  • Employs local people, providing jobs