5. Ecosystems

Question 1

What is an ecosystem?

Answer 1

• a natural system made up of plants, animals and the environment

Question 2

What is a producer

Answer 2

• producers convert energy from the the environment (sun) to sugars

Question 3

What is a consumer

Answer 3

• consumers get energy from sugars produced by producers

Question 4

What is a decomposer

Answer 4

• decomposers break down plant and animal material and return nutrients to the soil
• e.g bacteria and fungi

Question 5

What is Nutrient Cycling

Answer 5

The cycling of nutrients from the atmosphere or the soil to the animals and plants, back to the soil via decomposers

Question 6

Whaat are 4 human effects that could occur on an ecosystem?

Answer 6

• agricultural fertilisers can lead to eutrophication and they run off into water and growth of algae is increased, which depletes oxygen and sunlight so fish and plants may die\
• Woods cut down destroying habitats
• Ponds may be used as agricultural drains
• hedgrows cut down which takes away habitats and reduces biodiversity

Question 7

What is the tropical rainforest like and where is it located?

Answer 7

• close to the equator
• high temp and heavy rainfall, ideal for plants to grow
• 6% of world
• half the species of animals and plants live here and a quarter of our medicines come from here

Question 8

What is the desert like and where is it located

Answer 8

• 30 degress north and south of the equator
• 20% of the world
• high daytime temp, low nightime temp, low rainfall
• sinking air stops clouds forming

Question 9

What are the polar regions like and where are they located

Answer 9

• Arctic/Antarctic
• cold air sinks at both poles which means low temperatures and dry conditions
• mainly Antarctica and Greenalnd

Question 10

What are the deciduous and coniferous forests like and where are they located

Answer 10

• 50-60 degrees north of equator
• coniferous trees are evergreen while deciduous shed leaves (to retain moisture), confierous in colder places such as Scandinivia and Canada, while deciduous is commonly in UK

Question 11

What is temperate grassland like and where is it located

Answer 11

• 30-40 degress north and south of equator
• hot summers and cold winters
• fast areas of grassland in North America and Eastern Europe
• used for grazing animals

Question 12

What is the Mediterranean like and where is it located

Answer 12

• 40-45 north of equator (also some isolated regions such as western aus)
• hot sunny and dry summers
• mild winters
• similar to California

Question 13

What is Tropical Grassland/Savanna like and where is it located

Answer 13

• 15-30 degrees north and south of equator
• distinct wet and dry seasons
• lions, lepaords

Question 14

What is Tundra like and where is it located

Answer 14

• Arctic Circle, 60-70 degrees North
• low growing plants adapted to cold and lack of moisture
• fragile ecosystem, threatened by oil extraction