The Living World

• Abiotic components


  Non-living environmental factors that have influence over the ecosystem (e.g. climate, light exposure, soil type)
• Biome


  Also known as a global-scale ecosystem; a large, distinct region of the Earth with similar climate, soil, plants and animals
• Biotic components


  Living organisms that interact with the environment and other organisms within an ecosystem
• Coniferous forest biome


  • Located at high latitudes, characterised by conifer trees and a cold climate
• Consumers


  Organisms that receive energy from consuming (i.e. eating) living organisms
• Decomposers


  Organisms that break down organic material and release the nutrients back into the ecosystem
• Desert biome


  • Located around 30° north and south of the equator, characterised by extremely low precipitation levels and extreme daily temperature fluctuations
• Ecosystem


  A natural system in which a community of plants and animals interact with each other and their physical environment
• Eutrophication


  The growth of algae in a body of water due to excess nutrients, leading to the depletion of oxygen in an aquatic ecosystem
• Food chain


  A linear relationship showing the biotic interactions within an ecosystem, from a producer to a final consumer
• Food web


  A representation of the interactions between multiple producers and consumers within a specific ecosystem, shown through a series of different food webs
• Mediterranean biome


  • Located 40-45° north of the equator (and in isolated spots south of the equator), characterised by mild, moist winters and hot, dry summers
• Nutrient cycling


  The transfer of nutrients through an ecosystem, from the decay of organic material into the production and energy of living organisms
• Producers


  Organisms that convert energy from the environment (mainly sunlight) into sugars (glucose)
• Savanna biome


  • Located around 15-30° north and south of the equator, characterised by high temperatures, very dry summers and very wet winters
• Temperate deciduous forest biome

  • Located around 40-50 ° north and south of the equator, characterised by deciduous trees (trees that shed their leaves) and moderate precipitation
• Temperate grassland biome


  • Located in non-coastal areas around 30-40° north and south of the equator, characterised by low precipitation and grasses as the major vegetation
• Tropical rainforest biome


  • Located near the equator, characterised by very high precipitation and sustained warm temperatures
• Tundra biome


  • Located in the far northern hemisphere, characterised by very cold conditions and permanently frozen soils
• Biodiversity


  A large variety of animal and plant life living in the same ecosystem
• Buttress roots


  • Large, thick tree roots that grow above the ground in tropical rainforests
• Camouflage


  An animal adaptation where animals purposefully look like their surroundings to hide from predators
• Canopy


  The layer of a tropical rainforest where the tops of trees touch, forming a dense area of vegetation
• Carbon sink


  Something that absorbs more carbon dioxide than it emits, causing a net loss of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
• Cattle ranching


  The rearing of cows on large areas of land, usually to produce meat to sell for a profit
• Clear felling


  A form of logging where all trees in an area are cut down
• Commercial farming


  Agriculture that is intended to create surplus produce to sell for a profit
• Debt-for-nature swaps


  Agreements where one country reduces the amount of debt owed by another country in return for the owing country putting efforts into environmental conservation
• Decomposers


  Organisms that break down organic material and release the nutrients back into the ecosystem
• Deforestation


  The permanent (and usually large-scale) removal of trees
• Drip-tip


  An adaptation of a leaf where the end of the leaf is tapered, allowing rainwater to drip off
• Ecotourism


  Tourism that aims to have reduced environmental impact and supports conservation efforts, making it sustainable
• Epiphytes


  Plants that live on the surface of other plants, receiving nutrients from these plants
• Hydroelectric power


  Energy harnessed from the movement of water
• Interdependence


  The concept of multiple things depending on each other for survival
• Latosol


  An iron-rich, infertile soil found in tropical rainforests
• Leaching


  A process in soils where minerals are washed away by water (usually rainfall)
• Lianas


  Woody vines found in tropical rainforests; their roots grow on the forest floor, but the vines stretch high into the canopy
• Logging


  The process of cutting down trees for wood
• Nutrient Cycling


  The movement of nutrients between organic and inorganic components of an ecosystem