the ability of an ecosystem to survive and recover from a disturbance e.g. a drought
how are wetlands important?
act as water purifiers as reeds and rushes trap pollutants
they have high biodiversity
they recharge aquifers
they are a habitat for birds, fish and other aquatic organisms
they mitigate against flood risk by soaking up water and slowing the flow of water
importance of forests?
carbon store - 2nd largest
tropicalrainforests produce 28% of oxygen
provide food, shelter and fuel
home to 80% of terrestrial biodiversity
how can droughts affect wetlands?
less precipitation = lessinfiltration and percolation = less water in the system, so they can't rechargeaquifers and purify water so water quality will fall. also less infiltration = less water for vegetation to take up so they die and no longer act as habitats so biodiversity decreases
how can droughts impact forests?
increases the susceptibility of pine trees and fir trees to fungal infections, causing them to die
soil moisture deficit = less water for plants to uptake --> negativemultipliereffect --> global carbon store is destroyed --> worsens climatechange
