PEOPLE + BIO

Cards (29)

  • Abiotic components
    Non-living environmental factors that have influence over the ecosystem (e.g. climate, light exposure, soil type)
  • Altitude
    A measurement of the height of the land (usually as height above sea level)
  • Altitudinal zonation
    • The presence of distinct bands of different vegetation types at different elevations, caused by the change of environmental conditions with altitude
  • Biome
    Also known as a global-scale ecosystem; a large, distinct region of the Earth with similar climate, soil, plants and animals
  • Biosphere
    The living layer of Earth between the atmosphere (air) and the lithosphere (crust) where all plants and animals are found
  • Biotic components
    Living organisms that interact with the environment and other organisms within an ecosystem
  • Boserupian theory

    The theory that the demands of the growing population will always be met, as humans will continue to invent new ways to increase resource supply
  • Carbon sequestration
    The long-term capture and storage of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
  • Coniferous forest biome (taiga/boreal)
    • A 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
    • A 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
  • Hydrological cycle

    The continuous transfer of water throughout Earth
  • Indigenous peoples
    The earliest known settlers in an area
  • Industrialisation
    The development of the industrial sector in a country or region
  • Malthusian theory

    The theory that population growth increases exponentially but resource supply only increases linearly
  • Mediterranean biome
    • A 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
    • A 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
    • A 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
    • A 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
  • Transpiration
    The evaporation of water from plants
  • Tropical rainforest biome
    • A biome located near the equator, characterised by very high precipitation and sustained warm temperatures
  • Tundra biome

    • A biome located in the far northern hemisphere, characterised by very cold conditions and permanently frozen soils
  • Urbanisation
    The increase in the proportion of the population living in urban areas