the living world

• what is an ecosystem?

  A natural environment containing plants, animals species.
• what’s the difference between biotic and abiotic ?

  Biotic are living and abiotic are non-living.
• what are components effecting it ?

  • climate- the temperature and amount of rainfall are very important in determining which species can survive in the ecosystem
  • soil - the soil type is important as this provides nutrients that will support different plants
  • water - the amount of water available in an ecosystem will determine what plants and animals can be supported
• what is the structure of the amazon rainforest ?

  • ground level
  • shrub layer
  • under canopy
  • main canopy
  • emergents
• what is the climate like in a rainforest?

  • very wet over 2000mm of rain per year.
  • climate is consistent all year round no seasons.
  • very warm doesn’t get below 20 at night.
• what is the soil like in the rainforests?

  • not very fertile
  • due to heavy rainfall nutrients are quickly washed out of the soil.
  • a thin layer of fertile soil is found at the surface where dead leaves decompose
• what is commercial farming ?

  Large-scale production of crops or livestock for sale.
• what is subsistence farming ?

  growing crops / raising live stock for one’s own use.
• what does transpiration mean?

  the process of water movement in a plant.