What is an Ecosystem? Biome’s climate and plants

An ecosystem is a system in which organisms interact with each other and Biome Location Temperature Rainfall Flora Fauna with their environment. Tropical Centred along the Hot all year (25-30°C) Very high (over Tall trees forming a canopy; wide Greatest range of different animal Ecosystem’s Components rainforest Equator. 200mm/year) variety of species. species. Most live in canopy layer Abiotic These are non-living, such as air, water, heat and rock. Tropical Between latitudes 5°- 30° Warm all year (20-30°C) Wet + dry season Grasslands with widely spaced Large hoofed herbivores and Biotic These are living, such as plants, insects, and animals. grasslands north & south of Equator. (500-1500mm/year) trees. carnivores dominate.

Flora Plant life occurring in a particular region or time. Hot desert Found along the tropics Hot by day (over 30°C) Very low (below Lack of plants and few species; Many animals are small and of Cancer and Capricorn. Cold by night 300mm/year) adapted to drought. nocturnal: except for the camel. Fauna Animal life of any particular region or time. Temperate Between latitudes 40°- Warm summers + mild Variable rainfall (500- Mainly deciduous trees; a variety Animals adapt to colder and Food Web and Chains forest 60° north of Equator. winters (5-20°C) 1500m /year) of species. warmer climates. Some migrate. • Simple food chains they show only one species at a Tundra Far Latitudes of 65° north Cold winter + cool Low rainfall (below Small plants grow close to the Low number of species. Most particular trophic level. and south of Equator summers (below 10°C) 500mm/ year) ground and only in summer. animals found along coast. • Food webs however consists of a network of many food Found within 30° north – Warm water all year Wet + dry seasons. Small range of plant life which Dominated by polyps and a chains interconnected Coral Reefs south of Equator in round with temperatures Rainfall varies greatly includes algae and sea grasses diverse range of fish species. together. tropical waters. of 18°C due to location. that shelters reef animals. Nutrient cycle Unit 1b CASE STUDY: UK Ecosystem: Epping Forest, Essex Plants take in nutrients to build new organic This is a typical English lowland deciduous woodland. 70% of the area is designated matter. Nutrients are taken up when animals as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSI) for its biological interest, with 66 % eat plants Nutrients return to the soil when designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). animals die and the body is broken down by decomposers. The Living World Components & Interrelationships Management

Spring -Flowering plants (producers) such as - Epping has been Litter This is the surface layer of Tropical Rainforest Biome vegetation, which over time bluebells store nutrients to be eaten by managed for centuries. consumers later. - Currently now used breaks down to become humus. Tropical rainforest cover about 2 per cent of the Earth’s surface yet they are for recreation and Summer -Broad tree leaves grow quickly to Biomass The total mass of living home to over half of the world’s plant and animals. conservation. maximise photosynthesis. organisms per unit area. - Visitors pick fruit and Interdependence in the rainforest berries, helping to Autumn -Trees shed leaves to conserve energy disperse seeds. Biomes due to sunlight hours decreasing. A rainforest works through interdependence. This is where the plants and - Trees cut down to A biome is a large geographical area of distinctive plant and animal groups, animals depend on each other for survival. If one component changes, there Winter -Bacteria decompose the leaf litter, encourage new growth which are adapted to that particular environment. The climate and geography can be serious knock-up effects for the entire ecosystem. releasing the nutrients into the soil. for timber. of a region determines what type of biome can exist in that region. Distribution of Tropical Rainforests Layers of the Rainforest Coniferous forest -Tropical rainforests are centred along the Emergent Highest layer with trees reaching 50 metres. Equator between the Tropic of Cancer and Deciduous Canopy Most life is found here as It receives 70% of Capricorn. forest the sunlight and 80% of the life. -Rainforests can be found in South America, central Africa and South-East Asia. Tropical U-Canopy Consists of trees that reach 20 metres high. rainforests -The Amazon i- world’s largest rainforest - encompassing countries such as Brazil and Shrub Layer Lowest layer with small trees that have Tundra Peru,Ecuador. adapted to living in the shade.

Rainforest nutrient cycle Climate of Tropical Rainforests Temperate grasslands -The hot, damp conditions allow for the rapid decomposition of • Evening temperatures rarely fall below 22°C. dead plant material. • Due to the presence of clouds, temperatures rarely Tropical -This provides plentiful nutrients that are easily absorbed by plant rise above 32°C. grasslands roots.These nutrients do not remain in the soil for long and stay The most productive biomes – which have the greatest close to the surface. • Most afternoons have heavy showers. Hot deserts. biomass- grow in climates that are hot and wet. -If vegetation is removed, the soils quickly become infertile. • At night with no clouds insulating, temperature drops. Tropical Rainforests: Case Study Amazon rainforest, Brazil Hot Desert: Case Study Thar Desert – India/Pakistan

Brazil is a NEE country in South America. 60 is a tropical rainforest with 18% of it not being interfered with. The Thar Desert is located on the border between India and Pakistan in Southern Asia. With India soon becoming the However , Brazil has experienced fast rates of deforestation compared to some parts of the world most populated country in the world in the next five years. With this, more people will plan to live in the desert.

Adaptations to the rainforest Rainforest inhabitants Distribution of the world’s hot deserts Major characteristics of hot deserts

Sloths Large arms to swing & support in the tree canopy. Many tribes have developed sustainable ways of Most of the world’s hot deserts are found • Aridity – hot deserts are extremely dry, survival. The rainforest provides inhabitants with… in the subtropics between 20 degrees and with annual rainfall below 250 mm. Drip Tips Allows heavy rain to run off leaves easily. • Food through hunting and gathering. 30 degrees north & south of the Equator. • Heat – hot deserts rise over 40 degrees. • Natural medicines from forest plants. The Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn run • Landscapes – Some places have dunes, Lianas & Vines Climbs trees to reach sunlight at canopy. • Homes and boats from forest wood. through most of the worlds major deserts. but most are rocky with thorny bushes.

Issues related to biodiversity What are the causes of deforestation? Hot Deserts inhabitants Climate of Hot Deserts

Why are there high rates of biodiversity? Logging Agriculture - People often live in large • Very little rainfall with less than 250 mm per open tents to keep cool. year. • Warm and wet climate encourages a • Most widely reported cause of • Large scale ‘slash and burn’ of - Food is often cooked slowly • It might only rain once every two to three years. wide range of vegetation to grow. destructions to biodiversity. land for ranches and palm oil. in the warm sandy soil. • Temperate are hot in the day (45 °C) but are • There is rapid recycling of nutrients to • Timber is harvested to create • Increases carbon emission. - Head scarves are worn by cold at night due to little cloud cover (5 °C). speed plant growth. commercial items such as • River saltation and soil erosion men to provide protection • In winter, deserts can sometimes receive • Most of the rainforest is untouched. furniture and paper. increasing due to the large from the Sun. occasional frost and snow. • Violent confrontation between areas of exposed land. Main issues with biodiversity decline indigenous tribes and logging • Increase in palm oil is making Adaptations to the desert Desert Interdependence companies. the soil infertile. • Keystone species (a species that are Cactus • Large roots to absorb water soon after important of other species) are Different parts of the Mineral Extraction Tourism rainfall. extremely important in the rainforest hot desert ecosystem • Needles instead of leaves to reduce ecosystem. Humans are threatening • • are closely linked Precious metals are found in Mass tourism is resulting in the surface area and therefore transpiration. these vital components. the rainforest. building of hotels in extremely together and depend on each other, especially in • Decline in species could cause tribes • Areas mined can experience soil vulnerable areas. Camels • Hump for storing fat (NOT water). a such a harsh being unable to survive. and water contamination. • Lead to negative relationship • Wide feet for walking on sand. environment. • Plants & animals may become extinct. • Indigenous people are between the government and • Long eyelashes to protect from sand. • Key medical plants may become extinct. becoming displaced from their indigenous tribes land due to roads being built to • Tourism has exposed animals Opportunities and challenges in the Hot desert Impacts of deforestation transport products. to human diseases. Opportunities Challenges Economic development Energy Development Road Building • There are valuable minerals for industries and • The extreme heat makes it difficult to work outside for + Mining (such Carajas Iron ore mine) • The high rainfall creates ideal • for Roads, such as the Trans Amazon construction. very long. farming and logging creates employment conditions for hydro-electric highway, are needed to bring • Energy resources such as coal and oil can be found in • High evaporation rates from irrigation canals and and tax income for government. power (HEP). supplies and provide access to new the Thar desert. farmland. + Products such as rubber and palm oil • The Tucurui Dam in Brazil is key mining areas, settlements and energy projects. • Great opportunities for renewable energy such as solar • Water supplies are limited, creating problems for the provide valuable income for countries. for creating energy in this • In Brazil, logging companies use an power at Bhaleri. increasing number of people moving into area. - The loss of biodiversity will reduce tourism. developing country, however, extensive network of roads heavy • Thar desert has attracted tourists, especially during • Access through the desert is tricky as roads are difficult both people and environment machinery and to transport wood. festivals. to build and maintain. Soil erosion have suffered.

- Once the land is exposed by deforestation, Sustainability for the Rainforest Causes of Desertification Strategies to reduce Desertification the soil is more vulnerable to rain. Desertification means the turning of Climate Change • Water management - growing - With no roots to bind soil together, soil can Uncontrolled and unchecked exploitation can cause irreversible damage such semi-arid areas (or drylands) into Reduce rainfall and rising temperatures crops that don’t need much water. easily wash away. as loss of biodiversity, soil erosion and climate change. deserts. have meant less water for plants. • Tree Planting – tree planting can act as windbreakers to protect the soil from Climate Change Possible strategies include: • Agro-forestry - Growing trees and crops at the same time. It prevents soil Fuel Wood Overgrazing wind and soil erosion. Great Green wall • -When rainforests are cut down, the climate erosion and the crops benefit from the nutrients. People rely on wood for fuel. This Too many animals mean plants are Soil Management - leaving areas of becomes drier. • Selective logging - Trees are only felled when they reach a particular removal of trees causes the soil to be eaten faster than they can grow back. land to rest and recover lost -Trees are carbon ‘sinks’. With greater height. exposed. Causing soil erosion. nutrients. • deforestation comes more greenhouse • Education - Ensuring those people understand the consequences of Technology – using less expensive, emissions in the atmosphere. deforestation Over-Cultivation Population Growth sustainable materials for people to -When trees are burnt, they release more • Afforestation - If trees are cut down, they are replaced. If crops are grown in the same areas A growing population puts pressure on maintain. i.e. sand fences, terraces carbon in the atmosphere. This will enhance • Forest reserves - Areas protected from exploitation. too often, nutrients in the soil will be the land leading to more deforestation, to stabilise soil and solar cookers the greenhouse effect. • Ecotourism - tourism that promotes the environments & conservation used up causing soil erosion. overgrazing and over-cultivation. to reduce deforestation. Distribution of cold environments Characteristics of Cold environments Biodiversity :plant and animal Polar Tundra adaptations • Temps normally below • Temps normally freezing and down to - between +10°C to --- 90°C 50°C. Normally a layer of permanently frozen ground called permafrost

• Plants : a few lichens and mosses, grow slowly and are smal

• Animals; Polar bears • Animals; Polar bears (north pole), (north pole), Herbvores Penguins(south Polar like Dear and Caribou Ecosystem Biodiversity Cold environments regions),whales , seals. graze on limited have low biodiversity vegetation

Plants gain nutrients from soil, Plants lay dormant to survive • People – Almost • Indigenous people (many and these nutrients are grazed winter months.. Plants have uninhabited except for a thousands) and oil and by animals. They spread the sead shallow roots due to permafrost few scientists gas workers(Siberia and through dung below. Leaves are small to limit (Antarctica) Northern Canada and moisture loss. Summers very Alaska short so growing season only 50 to 60 days

• Polar areas (N and S poles) are covered by ice sheets and have no Slow plant growth (cold, poor Animals well insulated – thick fur soil. soils, low light intensity), soil coats (Polar bears) or blubber • Tundra (where temperatures are rarely above 0°C and experienceThe Living World poor in nutrients. like Seals. Some animals hibernate like permafrost conditions).Have thin, acidic soil with poor fertility.Cold environments arctic squirrels. Fragile ecosystem easily Many birds migrate to warmer Case study Cold environments : disturbed by human activity such climates during winter e.g. arctic Alaska and the north slope : as oil exploration (tundra) Terns. Opportunities Some animals white fur for casmourflage e.g Arctic fox. • Alaska is a state of the USA and borders Conflict in Alaska : Balancing the needs of economic development and conservation of the northern Arctic areas of Canada. There are many opportunities for habitats and wildlife. economic development in the area. • -the development of the oil industry in Northern Alaska is having a detrimental impact on the migration of Caribou across the North slope and into Alaska. • The oil pipeline has blocked the ability of the Caribou to migrate to their feeding grounds • OIL and Gas : Oil field such as Prudoe bay • This has also affected indigenous groups like the Vantuk people as well as conservation provide 50% of Alaska’s income. areas like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) • The Trans- Alaskan oil pipleline links the • Challenges Alaska Oil fields with Valdez where Oil can be shipped abroad to other countries • Alaska’s population is small and most live on the coast in the SE and S of the state • Mineral resources such as gold, silver, where it is warmer iron ore are mined and contribute $2.2 • billion to Alaska’s GDP. Extreme temperatures and strong winds lead to very difficult conditions as well as short daylight hours in the winter months when it is dark for upto 24 hrs • Fishing (Salmon, Pollock) employs 80,000 people and $5billion to the economy. • Alaska is a long way from anywhere and can only be reached by air or dangerous Ice roads

• Tourism – wilderness tourism attracts • The ground is prone to subsidence as the permafrost melts in the summer- this 2million visitors a year providing money makes the construction of buildings very dangerous and employment Alaskan conflict? • As a result the pipeline and electricity lines are built above the ground on stilts