ecosystems

• What is an ecosystem?


  A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
• What does biotic mean?


  living organisms
• What does abiotic mean?


  Non-living organisms
• What is the nutrient cycle?


  Plants absorb nutrients from the soil. When the plants die, they form a layer of vegetation known as litter. This is decomposed and nutrients are released back into the soil. Leaching takes some nutrients away, rock weathering adds nutrients back.

  
• What is leaching?


  Leaching is the removal of soil materials dissolved in water.
• What can cause natural changes in an ecosystem?

  Drought, disease, fire, and floods
• How can humans cause changes in ecosystem?


  introducing more fish (fish stocking)

  altering the drainage of the land which may influence the amount of water

  changing the pH level of the water

  altering the nutrient levels of the water if fertilisers are leached into the water resulting in eutrophication
• What is eutrophication?


  Excessive nutrients in a water body causing overgrowth of algae.
• Where can the tundra be found?


  Near North and South Poles. Very few organisms can survive.
• Where can deserts be found?


  20-30° North and South of the equator. Hot and dry climate.
• How much farmland covers the UK?


  52%
• Where are moorlands found in the UK?


  Upland areas- 38% and 50% land coverage
• What are the UK's marine ecosystems under threat to?


  Bycatch, overbuilding, pollution and shipping
• How much woodland in the UK can be considered ancient?


  5%
• What is a biome?


  A large scale ecosystem
• Where is the New Forest?


  South coast of England
• How many tourists visit the New Forest each year, and how much money does it make?


  15 million

  £500 million
• How is the New Forest Sustainably managed?

  1) New trees planted to replace those cut down

  
  

  2) Pesticide use limited to prevent damage to ecosystem

  
  

  3) Work restricted between April and August minimises the disturbance to nesting birds

  
  

  4) Sustainable transport schemes for tourists (bike and electric car hire) helping to reduce congestion & air pollution

  
  

  5) Landowners funded to plant native tree species by NPA (National Park Authority)

  
  

  6) Awareness raising by NPA on the importance of sustainability in New Forest

  
  

  7)Green Leaf Tourism Scheme- businesses use local products where possible, encourage walking and cycling, set aside 10% of land for local wildlife

  
  

  8) Local landowners get grants from National Park Authority to help improve biodiversity in their woodland.
• What does the Forest Marque do?


  Certifies the use of sustainable timber
• What do Green Leaf businesses do?


  Use local products to encourage walking and set aside 10% for the forest
• How much of the New Forest woodland is privately owned?


  40%
• How are animals adapted to deciduous woodland?


  Migration and hibernation in the winter months

  Broad leaves to absorb as much sunlight as possible
• How can climate influence the distribution of large scale landscapes?


  Tropical rainforests are found along the equator, as they require a hot climate, which can be provided here due to the sun's energy being concentrated.
• One example of a service provided by deciduous woodland ecosystems


  Recreation
• One approach to sustainable management in the deciduous woodlands


  Cycle paths are provided to restrict where cyclists ride, helping them stop ride over woodland which may be animals habitats
• Where would you find a tropical rainforest?


  On the equator
• Where would you find a temperate forest?


  Across Europe and the USA
• Where would you find a temperate grassland?


  North of the Tropic of Cancer, South of the Tropic of Capricorn
• Where would you find a tundra?


  most of the arctic circle
• Characteristics of a rainforest


  Hot and humid, close to equator, lots of pollination and seed dispersal, fruiting occurs year round
• Characteristics of a deciduous woodland


  - 4 seasons

  - High productivity

  - Average rainfall 750 - 1500 mm per year
• Characteristics of a desert


  high temperatures and low precipitation
• How does altitude affect ecosystems?


  - the higher you are the lower the temperature.

  - so the higher you are the lower the biodiversity because of the colder temperatures (depending on the severity of altitude)
• What is the biosphere?


  the part of Earth where life exists
• What resources does the biosphere provide?


  Food, Medicine, Fuel and Building Materials
• What is the biggest nutrient store?


  biomass
• What is the smallest nutrient store?


  Soil
• Why do rainforests have high biodiversity?


  - constant climate, and there is so many species within the rainforest.
• How have animals adapted to life in the rainforest?


  Camouflage, Nocturnalism, Interdependence, Poison
• How have plants adapted to the rainforest?


  Buttress Roots transport water and support the bases of Kapok trees

  Leaves have drip tips for heavy water to drop off and prevent damage