Forests under threat

• What are abiotic components in an ecosystem?

  Non-living environmental factors that influence the ecosystem
• What are examples of abiotic components?

  Climate, light exposure, and soil type
• What is acid rain?

  Rain with a pH of around 4
• How is acid rain formed?

  When chemicals from industrial processes react with water in clouds to form acids
• What is adaptation in biology?

  An evolved trait of an animal or plant that helps them cope with environmental stresses
• Why are adaptations important for organisms?

  They help organisms cope with environmental stresses
• What does biodiversity refer to?

  A large variety of animal and plant life living in the same ecosystem
• Why is biodiversity important in ecosystems?

  It contributes to ecosystem resilience and stability
• What are biofuels?

  Fuels produced from biomass (organic matter)
• What is biomass?

  Total mass of organisms in a set area
• What is a biome?

  A large, distinct region of the Earth with similar climate, soil, plants, and animals
• How does a biome differ from an ecosystem?

  A biome is a global-scale ecosystem with distinct climate and organisms
• What are biotic components?

  Living organisms that interact with the environment and other organisms
• What role do biotic components play in an ecosystem?

  They interact with each other and their physical environment
• What are buttress roots?

  Large, thick tree roots that grow above the ground in tropical rainforests
• Why do buttress roots develop in tropical rainforests?

  To provide stability in shallow soil
• What is camouflage?

  An animal adaptation where animals look like their surroundings to hide from predators
• How does camouflage benefit animals?

  It helps them avoid detection by predators
• What is the canopy in a rainforest?

  The layer where the tops of trees touch, forming a dense area of vegetation
• What role does the canopy play in a rainforest ecosystem?

  It provides habitat and food for many species
• What is a carbon sink?

  Something that absorbs more carbon dioxide than it emits
• Why are carbon sinks important for the environment?

  They help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
• What is cattle ranching?

  The rearing of cows on large areas of land for profit
• What is the primary purpose of cattle ranching?

  To produce meat to sell for profit
• What does CITES stand for?

  The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna & Flora
• What is the purpose of CITES?

  To protect threatened wildlife from exploitation
• What is clear felling?

  A form of logging where all trees in an area are cut down
• What are the environmental impacts of clear felling?

  It can lead to habitat destruction and loss of biodiversity
• What is climate change?

  A distinct change in global or regional patterns of climate
• What are some examples of climate change effects?

  Changes in temperature or precipitation patterns
• What is commercial farming?

  Agriculture intended to create surplus produce to sell for profit
• What is the goal of commercial farming?

  To maximize profit through surplus production
• What are conifers?

  Cone-bearing trees that are usually evergreen
• Where are conifers typically found?

  In colder environments
• What is conservation?

  Taking action to ensure a resource or environment is not depleted
• Why is conservation important?

  It helps maintain biodiversity and ecosystem health
• Who are consumers in an ecosystem?

  Organisms that receive energy from consuming living organisms
• What role do consumers play in an ecosystem?

  They transfer energy through the food web
• What are debt-for-nature swaps?

  Agreements where one country reduces debt in return for environmental conservation efforts
• How do debt-for-nature swaps benefit the environment?

  They encourage countries to invest in conservation