Ecosystems

Question 1

What are the 8 global ecosystems

Answer 1

Coniferous forest
Deciduous forest
Desert
Mediterranean
Tundra
Temperate Grassland
Tropical Rainforest
Savanna

Question 2

Where are coniferous forests found

Answer 2

Roughly 60* north

Question 3

Where are deciduous forests found

Answer 3

50* north

Question 4

Where are deserts normally found

Answer 4

30* north and south of equator

Question 5

what is an ecosystem

Answer 5

a natural system made up of plants, animals and the environment in which they live

Question 6

what is interdependence

Answer 6

the way in which the different biotic components rely on each other for survival

Question 7

how is Epping Forest interdependant

Answer 7

• most of the trees are deciduous meaning they lose their leaves in the winter
• the forest floor is then thick with leaf litter
• decomposes return the nutrients to the soil
• which supports the new season’s plant growth
• including berries and fruits that support primary consumers

Question 8

what are some characteristics or Epping Forest’s nutrient cycle

Answer 8

• large biomass store (high trees and dense undergrowth)
• large nutrient store in soil
• high turnover and vigorous new growth
• high yearly loss of nutrients due to leaching during episodes of heavy rainfall

Question 9

key facts about Epping forest

Answer 9

• located east of London near the M25
• very high biodiversity

Question 10

how are species in Epping forest interdependant

Answer 10

• plants provide food and shelter for animals
• soils store water and nutrients for plants to use
• plants bind the soil and shield it from extreme weather
• decomposers return nutrients to soil
• plants rely on animals to disperse their seeds

Question 11

Epping forest food web

Answer 11

Question 12

what is the impact of change in deciduous woodlands in the UK

Answer 12

ash dieback

over 1000 species are directly dependant on this tree which then affects the woodpeckers and other small mammals and birds that feed on them, maybe causing a population decrease

Question 13

what natural events cause disruption to ecosystems

Answer 13

• wildfires caused by lighting
• disease
• extreme weather events

Question 14

what human activities cause disruption to ecosystems

Answer 14

• deforestation
• hunting of species
• introduction of invasive species
• changes to water supply

Question 15

how does latitude affect climate

Answer 15

which distance form the equator, temperatures and sunshine hours decrease

Question 16

how does continentality affect climate

Answer 16

locations further inland heat up quicker in summer and cool more quickly in winter

Question 17

what is one way of restoring ecosystem balance

Answer 17

rewilding

eg the reintroduction of grey wolves into yellowstone national park

Question 18

how are nutrients distributed throughout the stores in Epping Forest

Answer 18

mostly evenly between the litter soil and biomass stores

Question 19

Characteristics of the coniferous forest biome

Answer 19

• cold dark winters, warm summers
• coniferous trees are cone bearing and usually evergreen
• less biodiversity than temperate forests

Question 20

characteristics of the deciduous forest biome

Answer 20

• deciduous trees shed their leaves in the winter to retain moisture
• more moderate climate
• mostly mild and moist conditions with a few extremes of temperature
• wide range of animals and plants

Question 21

characteristics of the desert biome

Answer 21

• arid conditions due to sinking air suppressing rain formation
• hot daytime cold nights due to lack of cloud cover
• plants and animals have to be very well adapted to survive
• low diversity

Question 22

characteristics of the Mediterranean biome

Answer 22

• hot and dry summers, wet and mild winters
• dense scrubland

Question 23

characteristics of the tundra biome

Answer 23

• extremely cold throughout year with brief quite warm summers
• limited precipitation
• very fragile
• low biodiversity
• short growing season

Question 24

characteristics of the temperate grassland biome

Answer 24

• hot summers and cold winters
• relatively low rainfall
• ideal conditions for grasses and grazing animals

Question 25

characteristics of the tropical rainforest biome

Answer 25

- moist air and heavy rainfall - high temps - rapid plant growth and biodiversity - distinct layers of vegetation

Question 26

characteristics of the savanna biome

Answer 26

- distinct wet and dry seasons - fires are common in the dry season (usually caused by lightning) - dominated by grasses - fairly hot - many herd animals

Question 27

to what extent is change a natural part of the ecosystem

Answer 27

to a very small extent because ecosystems have evolved over thousands of years in order to become balanced as they are today. they are very fragile due to their intricate interdependence so that one small change could affect the whole system