Ecosystems, biodiversity and management

• What 2 components do ecosystems have

  -abiotic

  -biotic
• What are abiotic features in the tropical rainforest

  Non-living

  -climate

  -soil

  -water
• What are biotic features in the tropical rainforest

  living

  -plants

  -animals

  -humans
• What is the Gersmehl model

  -nutrient cycle
• How does the Gersmehl model look like

  -biomass - largest store

  -nutrients are recycled quickly because of year-round plant growth and rapid decomposition of dead matter due to warm & wet conditions

  -so - soil & litter - small nutrient stores
• What are the characteristics of the tropical rainforest

  -most productive large-scale ecosystem on earth

  -oldest ecosystem

  -complex layered structure

  -hot, wet climate

  -no seasons

  -long hours of sunlight

  -warm temperatures

  -large amounts of rain
• Where are tropical rainforest mainly found in the world

  Near the equator

  -Colombia

  -Brazil

  -Malaysia
• What is an adaptation

  the process of change by which an organism/species becomes better suited to its environment
• What are the layers of the tropical rainforest

  TOP

  50m-emergent layer

  40m-main canopy

  30m-understory

  20m/10m-shrub layer

  0m-forrest floor

  -0m-buttress roots

  BOTTOM
• What is found in the emergent layer

  -monkeys

  -light

  -trees have adapted to grow above 40m to get more light for photosynthesis
• Which plants have adapted to living in the rainforest

  -walking palm

  -pitcher plant
• How has the walking palm adapted to living in the rainforest

  -shift to find sunlight

  -moves 75cm every 2 years

  -if doesn't move - will die - not enough sunlight to photosynthesise
• How has the pitcher plant adapted to living in the rainforest

  -needs animals to gain nutrients

  -slippery sides - everything can go in

  -attract their prey with nectar

  -the fluid dissolves animals fluids
• What animals have adapted to living in the rainforest

  -tree shrew

  -sloth
• How has the tree shrew adapted to living in the rainforest

  -feeds off the nectar of the pitcher plant

  -plant feeds off shrews dropping

  -work together
• How has a sloth adapted to living in the rainforest

  -once a week goes to ground

  -lives of leaves

  -claws - not use its muscles
• What is deforestation


  cutting down trees
• What are the causes of deforestation

  -logging - needed for building materials

  -farming - more space needed for agriculture

  -mining

  -rapid population growth - demand for housing
• What are the negative impacts of deforestation

  -habitats destroyed - causes disruption in food chain

  -loss of biodiversity

  -not enough oxygen - more CO2 in the air
• What are the positive impacts of deforestation

  -new towns built - more jobs

  -homes and schools built for growing population
• How has climate change affected the tropical rainforest

  -long periods of drier conditions

  -surface run-off increases

  -deep leaf litter layer
• How does long periods of drier conditions affect the tropical rainforest

  -slow down process of decomposition - reducing biomass store
• How does an increase in surface run-off affect the tropical rainforest

  -more leaves on the forest floor

  -means less water can go through to the roots

  -this means more sediment will be carried into drainage systems - polluting water quality
• How does a deep litter layer affect the tropical rainforest

  -no canopy in the dry season

  -litter layer on the floor

  -this is because leaves fall to preserve water loss
• What goods do tropical rainforests provide

  -source of food (fruits & nuts)

  -some plants - key ingredients in drugs

  -timber - manufacturing furniture, construction, fuel
• What services do tropical rainforests provide

  -home for many tribes

  -revenue - popular tourist attraction
• What abiotic factors are found in deciduous woodlands

  Humans

  -walking

  -cycling

  -recreation

  -eco-tourism
• What biotic factors are found in deciduous woodlands

  -deep, fertile soil

  -oak and old trees
• What are the 4 layers of deciduous woodlands

  TOP

  40m-canopy

  20m-sub-canopy

  5m-ground layer

  0m-herb layer
• Where are deciduous woodlands found in the world

  40-60* north and south of the equator

  -USA

  -Mexico

  -UK

  -Canada

  -Chile
• Why do deciduous woodlands have fewer types of species

  -lower food production levels in the winter

  -smaller size ecosystem compared to TRF - less space for species
• Why do deciduous woodlands also support biodiversity

  -have rainfall the whole year with 4 seasons - leads to different adaptations of species

  -4 layers - create a range of habitats
• How do animals adapt to the deciduous woodlands

  -food storage

  -migration

  -hibernation
• How does food storage help animals adapt to the deciduous woodlands

  -store food to survive through winter

  -squirrels store food in ground in spring or summer
• How does migration help animals adapt to the deciduous woodlands

  -birds move to warmer conditions
• How does hibernation help animals adapt to the deciduous woodlands

  -some hibernate in winter

  -hedgehogs - match surroundings their body temperature drops - allows them to save energy
• What's the difference in Gersmehl's model between TRF and deciduous woodlands

  -less run-off

  -less rain

  -soil is greater

  -weathering is smaller
• What goods do deciduous woodlands provide

  -timber - construction

  -used for fuel in wood-burning stoves

  -wood pellets - can be burned in power stations
• What services do deciduous woodlands provide

  -used for recreation

  -offer protection for rare species and plants
• How has climate change affected deciduous woodlands

  -rising temperatures & drier conditions

  -increased periods of drought

  -milder winters