Key Terms
What is the difference an abiotic feature in an ecosystem?
*bonus* give an example
abiotic = non living feature of an ecosystem like rain and sunlight
biotic = living features like plants & animals
Is chocolate an example of a GOOD or SERVICE?
Good - because it is something that is produced, bought, and sold
What does the IWC stand for?
International Whaling Commission
Which case study is this: a group of islands with over 60% protected. For example, there are strict limits on the use of off-road motorised vehicles, and tour operators and visitors have to get permission to visit the nature reserves.
*bonus* what is it managing?
Svalbard, Norway - promoting sustainable tourism
A food web is a complex network made up of "who eats who". Food webs are comprised of several of these that are smaller and less complex
What is are food chains?
An ________ is a set of biotic and abiotic elements and the links in between them. Each element in the system depends upon and influences others. They are interrelated.
What is the climate like in the Tropical Rainforest?
*bonus* how does that influence plants?
Climate: hot and humid . The daily temperature is about 28C with at least 2000mm of rain falls a year.
This means that there is high levels of biodiversity for both plants. Warm and wet climate means that plants grow quickly - the dense leaf cover protects the forest floor from wind and heavy rainfall, while root systems hold the soil together stopping it being eroded.
What are 3 differences between Antarctica and Arctic
Antarctica: colder, in the southern pole, penguins live there, land surrounded by ocean, only scientists live there.
Arctic: more biodiversity, warmer, ocean surrounded by land, 8 countries within the territory (Canada, USA, Russia, Sweden, Norway, Denmark)
List the location of each case study:
1. Yachana Lodge
2. Svalbard
3. IWC
1. Yachana Lodge in Ecuador TRF
2. Svalbard in Norway Arctic
3. IWC in global Oceans like the Arctic, Indian, and Southern
Define sustainable.
WHen actions are taken that create a balance between peoples needs, the environment and the economy for future generations.
What human activities are threatening the tropical rainforest (double points if you can name all 5)
1. farming/agriculture
2. logging
3. mining/mineral exploitation
4. tourism
5. population growth/ urbanisation
Will also accept: construction of roads or expansion of hydro electric power
What is permafrost?
Permanently frozen ground all year round. It is made of a combination of ice, soil, peat, and moss.
Develop this point: 14 local people at the Yachana Lodge are hired as full time cooks & tour guides.
"this means... this causes ... this leads to ..."
*many different answers*
What is the difference between a Rainforest service and good?
*bonus* if you can give an example
Service = the value the TRF provides, like climate regulation, maintains biodiversity, serves as the "lungs of the planet", provides water cycling
Goods= are commodities that can be produced, bought & sold using the TRF. For example, timber, medicine, coffee, and rubber
What are Rainforest Soils like? List as many points as you can.
- Red in colour because of iron.
- Thick layer of litter (dead leaves etc) as trees drop their leaves all year round
- Only a thin fertile layer because the leaves decompose very quickly in the humid conditions.
- Not very good for plants to grow in as nutrients are quickly washed out (leached) of the soil because of heavy rainfall.
- Trees and other vegetation have roots close to the surface, where the nutrients are - there are lots of roots in the humus layer.
What is one impact of whaling?
1. It causes economic development as whales can be bought and sold
2. Hunting whales has led to a decline in whale populations and impacts the food web as they are a keystone species (hold the ecosystem together)
Why is it important to that tourists stick to small tracks when visiting Yachana Lodge & Svalbard
It limits soil erosion, it limits disruption to species, it ensures that the environment is safe from damage.
factors affect population density of a species and increase in significance as the population grows can be described as...
What is density dependent?
What is the Nutrient Cycle of the Tropical Rainforest?
The rainforest nutrient cycling is rapid. The hot, damp conditions on the forest floor allow for the rapid decomposition of dead plant material. This provides plentiful nutrients that are easily absorbed by plant roots. However, as these nutrients are in high demand from the rainforest's many fast-growing plants, they do not remain in the soil for long and stay close to the surface of the soil. If vegetation is removed, the soils quickly become infertile and vulnerable to erosion.
Identify and explain one impact of deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest.
- Soil erosion: when land is cleared the soil is left bae. When it rains the nutrients get washed away and the nutrients cycle stops. Additionally, trees/plants don't hold the soil so it gets eroded
- loss of biodiversity: many plants and species die because of deforestation as they no longer have a habitat & their close relation in the food web gets severed.
- Climate change: trees/plants of the TRF absorb CO2 during photosynthesis. Less trees = less absorption
- economic development: the creation of mines, farms, and rods less to the country making money. This could be used to pay off debts, reinvest into the companies, or further develop the country.
Is scientific research in the Arctic positive or negative? Why?
Scientific research is mostly positive as scientists collect data (e.g. on climate change). This can have a positive impact on global environmental management and management of polar regions. In some cases it can be negative as they may litter or boats/air travel creates emission s - but this is largely limited.
What is one success and limitation of the IWC
Success:
* Moratorium on Commercial Whaling (1986): Implemented a global ban on commercial whaling, significantly reducing whale populations' decline.
* Scientific Research: Supports non-lethal research methods, helping to monitor and protect whale populations.
* Conservation Programs: Promotes whale sanctuaries to safeguard species in key habitats like the Beluga and Bowhead whale.
Limitation: nations like Norway & Iceland are not members, Japan uses scientific research to continue whaling, IWC lack enforcement, and it has a limited scope (only focuses on whales).