Ecosystems can be studied at a range of scales, from a small pond to a whole biome.
Which one of the following is an abiotic component of a pond ecosystem?
What is meant by the term ecosystem?
Explain the role of decomposers in an ecosystem.
What is meant by the term biodiversity?
What is meant by the term interdependence in an ecosystem?
A disease kills almost all of one plant species in an ecosystem. Using the idea of interdependence, suggest what may happen to other parts of the ecosystem.
The table below gives three descriptions of strategies used to manage tropical rainforests.
Complete the table by writing the correct term next to each description.
Choose from: debt reduction, ecotourism, selective logging, clear felling
| Description | Term |
|---|---|
| Only mature trees of a chosen species are cut down, so the forest structure is left largely intact. | |
| Small-scale tourism that aims to benefit local people and cause as little damage as possible to the environment. | |
| A country's international debt is cancelled or lowered in return for a promise to protect its rainforest. |
What is meant by the term deforestation?
Areas on the fringe of hot deserts are at risk of desertification.
What is meant by the term desertification?
Which one of the following terms describes growing crops on the same land year after year until the soil loses its fertility?
State the meaning of overgrazing.
Give one example of appropriate technology that could be used in an area at risk of desertification.
Cold environments include polar and tundra areas.
What is meant by the term permafrost?
Which one of the following best describes tundra?
Explain why cold environments are often described as fragile environments.
