Section B

• What is an Ecosystem?

  A community of living organisms and their physical environment, interacting as a system.
• What do producers do in an ecosystem?

  They convert energy from the sun by photosynthesis into carbohydrates for energy
• Examples of Decomposers?


  Bacteria and Fungi
• What is a biome?


  A biome is a large-scale community of plants and animals that are adapted to a specific climate and environment.
• What are the 2 types of changes which can affect an ecosystem?

  Natural and Human activity
• Give an example of a Natural change and how it affects the ecosystem?

  Extreme weather events like droughts can dry up the pond water leading to deaths of fish
• Give an example of Human activity which can impact a ecosystem?

  Cutting down woods affecting the nutrient cycle and Agricultural fertilsers causing eutrophication
• How are biomes defined?

  By the dominant type of vegetation growing there
• How are biomes distributed?

  In broad belts across the world from west to east, parallel to lines of latitude
• How are biomes determined?

  By there global atmospheric circlulation
• State some examples of biomes?

  Desert, Tundra, Rainforest, Polar and Grassland
• Where are tropical rainforests found?

  Located a few degrees either side of equator between tropics of cancer and capricorn
• What are some examples of Rainforest characteristics?


  Hot and humid all year round, remarkable biodiversity, soils are infertile
• What are the layers of a rainforest?

  Shrub and ground layer, soils, Middle canopy, Lower tree canopy and Top canopy
• What is deforestation like in Malaysia?

  The rate is increasing faster than any other tropic country
• What are the threats to Malaysia's rainforests?

  Logging, Mineral extraction, Commercial and Subsistence farming
• What is meant by the term "logging"?

  The process of cutting and moving trees to a location for transport.
• What are the impacts on deforestation?

  Reduces biodiversity, impacts climate by reducing photosynthesis, exposes ground
• What are some Economic gains of deforestation?

  Job creation, improved transport and minerals are valuable
• What are some economic loses of deforestation?

  Water pollution, Rising temperatures, Climate change,
• Tropical rainforests globally are being destroyed at different rates
• How are Brazil trying to limit the rates of deforestation?

  Brazil's government has made it illegal and Brazil is trying to reduce it's carbon emissions
• Why should rainforests be protected?

  Biodiversity, Resources, Medicine, Climate change and people
• Rainforests need to be managed because..

  Ensure they remain a lasting resource for future generations and harness valuable resources without long-term damage
• How can Rainforests be managed sustainably?

  Logging, Ecotourism, Education and International agreements
• What is ecotourism?

  Introduces people to the natural world and provides long term income to people
• What are cold environments?

  Environments which experience temperatures of below 0 for a long time
• What are the most coldest environments?

  Polar regions
• What are some characteristics of cold environments

  Very low temperatures, Permafrost, Not much vegetation and animals with thick fur such as polar bears.
• What are tundras?


  Areas which are less extreme than polar regions
• How is the bearberry plant adapted for tundras?

  Hairy stems for insulation, low growing to be protected from winds and bright red to attract birds to spread seeds
• Where is Svalbard?


  In Norway, close to the Mid-Atlantic ridge
• What is the population of Svalbard?

  2700
• What are some opportunities for the development of Svalbard?

  Mineral extraction, Energy developments, Fishing and Tourism
• Explain what the energy developments are like in Svalbard?

  They have coal fired power stations which supply their needs
• Why are extreme temperatures in Svalbard a challenge for development?

  Risk of frostbite and you need to wear several layers of clothing, therefore outside work can be difficult and dangerous
• How is construction for Svalbard a challenge?

  construction has to happen in the brief summer they have and the permafrost has to be protected or buildings would collapse
• What are the other challenges for Svalbard?

  Services and Accessibility
• Why are cold environments fragile?

  They are easily damaged and can take a long time to recover
• Give some risks of economic development in Svalbard?

  Trees killed due to oil spills, habitats polluted and risk of fire