Battle for the biosphere

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GCSE Geography (Battle for the biosphere) Flashcards on Battle for the biosphere, created by Anna Hollywood on 02/05/2014.
Anna Hollywood
Flashcards by Anna Hollywood, updated more than 1 year ago
Anna Hollywood
Created by Anna Hollywood over 10 years ago
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Resource summary

Question Answer
Biosphere The living part of the earth (plants and animals)
Ecosystem A community of plants and animals that interact with each other and their physical environment
Biome A plant and animal community covering a large area of the Earth's surface i.e. tropical rainforest
4 characteristics of a deciduous forest High altitudes, high rainfall, weak sun rays, cool winter temperatures (makes leaves fall off leaves - autumn)
4 characteristics of tundra Found at arctic circle, weak sun rays, temperatures below freezing, adapted plants and animals
3 characteristics of a coniferous forest Conifer trees (needle leaves), 60' North, freezing temperatures
5 characteristics of a desert Northern hemisphere-close to tropic of cancer, sourthern hemispher-close to tropic of capricorn, adapted plants and animals, dry air, concentrated sun rays
4 characteristics of a tropical forest Heavy rainfall (=evergreen), moist rising air, concentrated sun rays, either side of equator
Local factors that affect world distribution of biomes Relief/Aspect, altitude, geology/drainage
Global factors that affect world distribution of biomes Continentality, latitude, precipitation, temperature
How does continentality link to precipitation? More coastal=more evaporation
How does continentality link to temperature? Temperature hotter and more constant near coast
How does precipitation link to temperature? hotter temperature=more evaporation
How does precipitation link to latitude? Closer to equator=hotter=more evaporation
How does precipitation link to geology? Less drainage=more evaporation
How does temperature link to latitude? Closer to equator=hotter
How does temperature link to relief? Higher temperatures in areas facing the sun
How does temperature link to altitude? Higher up=colder
How does altitude link to relief? Higher altitude=more raised/hilly relief
How does altitude link to precipitation? Higher altitude=colder=less evaporation
Altitude Higher=colder, 100m=-1'C
Temperature Regulated by altitude, latitude and continentality
Precipitation High air pressure=less rainfall (water finds it harder to evaporate)
Relief Sun facing slopes=hotter
Geology Permeable rocks=dry land, bad drainage=reduce growth
Latitude Concentrated sun on equator
Continentality Land heats and cools quickly, water heats and cools slowly
8 goods of rainforest 80% of all western foods, illegal drugs, saleable commodities (timber), 25% cancer fighting drugs, drugs for diabetics, contraceptive pill, Rosie Periwinkle (increases childhood leukaemia sufferers survival chance fro9m 10-90%), marmosets for drug testing (before humans)
8 services from rainforest Indigineous people live in rainforests (can teach us), treks and holidays, 50% world's biodiversity, endangered animals habitats (bonobos), unique biome, regulate hydrological cycle, soil nutrients, carbon store
How does the biosphere regulate atmosphere? Plants absorb CO2 and produce O2
How does the biosphere regulate atmosphere? Plants absorb CO2 and produce O2
How does the biosphere regulate water cycle? Trees and other plants-interception=reduced flooding
How does the biosphere regulate soil health? Dead leaves and plants=nutrients for soil, animals aerate soil
What would happen to the soil without canopy? Soil would be washed away
Amazon is like the...? Lungs of the earth
Knock on effect of soil erosion Atmosphere not regulated=co2 rise=global warming=sea ice melting faster=more flooding
Why does it matter that the rainforest is being destroyed? 4 reasons Loss of habitat, knowledge, species (271 extinct in 500 years), rarity
How much of the world's oxygen does the Amazon supply? 20%
What are the 5 main direct threats to the rainforest? Timber, agriculture, mining, the soya craze and population change
Timbers effect on the rainforest U.K trying to restrict import rates...teak and mahogany still in high demand...deforestation affects rates of flooding, soil erosion and humus formation...loss of habitat
Agricultures effect on the rainforest Crops need to be grown=deforestation...for food and income...destroys ecosystems and encourages wildfires
Minings effect on the rainforest Mining plants in Amazon...new roads...destroying rainforest...damage to surface...restoration normally unsuccessful
The soya crazes effect on the rainforest 2005=almost 50% forest clearings were for soya beans...2003 new governor rose Brazil's deforestation rates by 40%...food for cattle...more cows needed for meat rich diets
Population changes effect on the rainforest 72 - 200 million in 50 years...more housing and farming...20 million migrated to settlements near Amazon...more deforestation
What is the main indirect threat to the environment? Climate change
Climate changes effect on the rainforest 2005 and 2010 2 major droughts...rainforest actually emitted CO2...could eventually end up speeding up global warming if happens more often
Define conservation The wise and sustainable use of natural resources-planned action or non-action to preserve or protect living and non-living resources
Name a conservation company on a global scale, a national scale and a local scale Global - RAMSAR (1971) National - National Parks Local - Costa Rica
What is RAMSAR? It involves 163 countries and conserves the convention of Wetlands of International importance
What are the aims of RAMSAR? To protect 196 million hectares of wetland habitat at over 2000 sites worldwide
How is RAMSAR planning to meet its aims? Identifying important wetlands and managing them...making sure fishing and tourism are sustainable...co-operate with country shared wetlands...areas in UK protected by law-extra protection from damage and development
Are there any issues with RAMSAR? No major issues but hard keeping track of everything to make sure there are no unsustainable activities happening
Is RAMSAR successful? Yes because they have 163 countries on side and have used the law to enforce this
What is a National Park? An area that has been agreed to be protected
What are the two main aims of National Parks? -To conserve and promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of National Parks -To create a balance between locals, visitors and conservation
How are National Parks planning to meet these aims? Having planning authorities to protect the environment from the pressures of tourism such as camp sites, buildings and roads
What are the 6 main issues with National Parks? Congestion (over 200 mill visitors a year) especially in summer...footpath erosion (survey in 1999 said repair cost=£5mill)...overcrowded...local shops accustomed to visitors and not locals...1/6 houses of holiday houses (empty in winter and lack of community)...employment is seasonal
Are National Parks successful? Yes because trying to tackle all issues like improving drainage for paths, resting paths, zoning and having stricter planning permission for tourism related buildings
What are most rainforests now? National Parks
How does the local scheme in Costa Rica work? Turning forests into small tourist attractions (only small return), trying to farm sustainably (growing crops among trees for food and income), using fallen trees instead of cutting down (wood used for holiday lodges=money)
2 social outcomes of sustainable management People become educated about dangers and improves local facilities benefitting whole community (health clinics, training)
2 economic outcomes of sustainable management Reducing poverty (income from eco-tourism)...provides jobs
2 environmental outcomes of sustainable management Can protect natural environment from degradation (replanting)...50% of Kilum-Ijim forest was deforested 1958-1988, but the forest has grown by 8% since project
3 social problems with sustainable management Population growing, pressure to deforest...urban areas and roads could enroach on the area...people have come to rely on help that could stop-arguments
2 economic problems with sustainable management Relies on funding which could stop...prevents people making money from forest
2 environmental problems with sustainable management Climate change could degrade forest itself...urban areas could enroach on forest
What are all of these advantages and disadvantages of? The Kilum-Ijim forest in Cameroon, Africa
What are the key concepts of the Kilum-Ijim project? Stop forest from being under pressure from farming and logging for timber and fuel/conservation
What are the aims of the Kilum-Ijim project? Create a sustainable forest reserve in the area...save from human impacts
What has the Kilum-Ijim project done? (4 things) Marked out reserve area making lists of resources...developed rules to conserve...set up a unit to manage and monitor the forest...educated communities about replanting, safe hunting and logging
Define a good Products and items sourced from the biome for survival or commercial use
Define a service Measures the biome takes to serve the planet
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