Geog Paper 1

• Why are ecosystems important?

  They provide goods and services for humans
• What are the goods provided by ecosystems?

  • Biomass for energy
  • Drinking water
  • Food for humans and animals
  • Timber for construction and furniture
  • Ingredients for medicines and products
  • Green spaces for leisure and recreation
• How is biomass used as an energy source?

  It is burned or converted into electricity
• What is a disadvantage of burning biomass?

  It releases carbon dioxide when burned
• What are some uses of timber from ecosystems?

  Construction and making furniture
• What role do ecosystems play in providing drinking water?

  They supply water for domestic and industrial uses
• What types of products do ecosystems provide ingredients for?

  Medicines, toiletries, and household chemicals
• Why are green spaces important?

  They are essential for physical and mental well-being
• What natural heritage do ecosystems provide?

  Beautiful landscapes and wildlife habitats
• How do ecosystems contribute to science and education?

  They help in conservation and studying climate change
• What is the significance of protected areas like nature reserves?

  They boost local economies through tourism
• What are the regulating services provided by ecosystems?

  • Coastal protection
  • Regulation of water, soil, and air quality
  • Carbon storage
  • Soil erosion prevention
  • Pollination
  • Water storage
  • Disease and pest suppression
  • Urban heat island prevention
  • Visual impact softening
• How do mangrove forests protect coastal zones?

  They buffer tidal waters and reduce flooding
• What role do plants play in regulating air quality?

  They filter pollutants from the air
• How do ecosystems promote soil fertility?

  By providing leaf litter for nutrient cycling
• What is the role of carbon storage in ecosystems?

  It helps fight against climate change
• How do plant roots prevent soil erosion?

  They bind the soil together
• What is the function of decomposing leaf litter?

  It prevents soil from drying out
• How do ecosystems facilitate pollination?

  Pollen is moved by animals or wind
• Where is water stored in ecosystems?

  In ponds, lakes, and plants
• How do ecosystems suppress pests and diseases?

  Through natural mechanisms that reduce them
• What is the effect of natural vegetation on urban heat islands?

  It provides shade and absorbs less heat
• How do ecosystems soften visual impacts?

  They act as natural wind breaks and noise buffers
• What is an ecosystem?

  A natural system of interacting components
• What are biotic components?

  Living and organic components of an ecosystem
• What are abiotic components?

  Non-living and inorganic components of an ecosystem
• What are global biomes?

  Large ecosystems like tropical rainforests
• What are the three types of biotic components?

  Animals, plants, bacteria, and fungi
• What role do bacteria and fungi play in ecosystems?

  They are decomposers that recycle nutrients
• What is the importance of air in ecosystems?

  It provides oxygen for respiration
• Why is sunlight important for ecosystems?

  It is needed for photosynthesis and growth
• What do living components need access to?

  Water and minerals for growth
• How do rocks contribute to soil formation?

  Weathering releases nutrients into the soil
• What is nutrient cycling?

  The process of recycling nutrients in ecosystems
• What are the two main sources of nutrients?

  Rainwater and weathered rock
• What happens when plants or animals die?

  Decomposers recycle nutrients back to soil
• What is the role of organic matter in soil?

  It adds nutrients and supports plant growth
• What are producers in an ecosystem?

  Organisms that convert energy into sugars
• What is the process of photosynthesis?

  Conversion of sunlight into glucose
• What do consumers do in an ecosystem?

  They obtain energy from producers' sugars