Ecosystems and global biomes

Outline one reason why there are high levels of biodiversity in the tropical rainforest.

State one threat to biodiversity in the tropical rainforest.

Study Figure 8, a diagram showing how different plants and animals rely on each other as sources of food in the tropical rainforest.

Complete the following paragraph by choosing the correct words from the list below.

chain consumer increase producer reduce web

Figure 8 is an example of a food _______________________. Orchid plants are an

example of a __________________________. An increase in the number of jaguars

is likely to ____________________________ the number of monkeys.

Figure 9 is a graph showing annual rates of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest, 2004–2021.

Complete Figure 9 below using the following data.

Using Figure 9, which of the following statements is true?

Shade one circle only.

Suggest how deforestation in the tropical rainforest can be caused by a range of different activities. Use a case study.

Outline one way selective logging can be used to manage the rainforest sustainably.

Study either Figure 10 or Figure 11, photographs showing soils in a hot desert and cold environment.

Figure 10 – hot desert
Figure 11 – cold environment

Using either Figure 10 or Figure 11, suggest one way the soil can be affected by the climate in either a hot desert or a cold environment.

Study either Figure 12 or Figure 13, photographs showing plants and animals in hot desert and cold environments.

‘Plants and animals need to have special adaptations to cope with extreme environments.’

Discuss this statement.

Use either Figure 12 or Figure 13 and your own understanding.

Study Figure 7, a diagram of a food web.

Using Figure 7, identify a producer.

What is the difference between a food chain and a food web?

Using Figure 7, state one effect on the food web if disease killed most of the trout.

For a small-scale ecosystem that you have studied, outline the link between producers and consumers.

Outline one reason why nutrient cycling is very rapid in tropical rainforests.

Suggest one example of a human activity that might interfere with the nutrient cycle shown in Figure 9.

Study Figure 10, a Fact file about deforestation in the tropical rainforests.

‘Tropical rainforest deforestation has major economic and environmental impacts.’

Do you agree?

Use Figure 10 and your own understanding to explain your answer.

Extreme environments provide opportunities for economic development. These opportunities include energy, farming, fishing, mining and tourism.

Choose either a hot desert environment or a cold environment.

Discuss the opportunities for economic development in your chosen environment.

Use a case study and your own understanding.

Study Figure 3 in the resources booklet, ‘Different views about the proposed cruise ship and port facility in Grand Cayman’.

Do you think that the cruise ship terminal and port facility development proposed by the Cayman Island government in 2019 should go ahead?

Yes No

Tick (✓) the box to show your choice.

Use evidence from the resources booklet and your own understanding to explain your answer.

Study Figure 5, a map showing the major world ecosystems.

Using Figure 5, which one of the following statements is true?

Shade one circle only.

A There are temperate grasslands in every continent.

B Deserts are only found in the middle of continents.

C Temperate deciduous forests are only found in the Northern hemisphere.

D Coniferous forests occur in large areas of North America, Europe and Asia.

Using Figure 5, name the continent with the largest area of savanna.

Which statement describes the characteristics of temperate deciduous forests?

Shade one circle only.

A The vegetation is short because the growing season only lasts two months.

B The trees drop their dead leaves because of lower temperatures in winter.

C The vegetation is sparse because rainfall is low.

D The vegetation is evergreen because the climate is hot all year round.

Study Figure 6, information about the climate and vegetation of tropical rainforests.

Figure 6

Suggest how plants are adapted to the climate in tropical rainforests.

Use Figure 6 and your own understanding.

Study Figure 7, a graph showing tropical primary forest loss between 2002 and 2018.

Using Figure 7, describe changes in tropical primary forest loss between 2002 and 2018.

Give one reason why deforestation has decreased in some countries.

Study Figure 8, a photograph showing an area of deforestation in Sumatra, Indonesia.

Using Figure 8, outline one environmental effect of deforestation.

Explain how ecotourism can be a sustainable management strategy in tropical rainforests.

Study either Figure 9 or Figure 10.

Figure 9 – Hot desert environment

A hot desert landscape
Gold mining in Western Australia

Discuss the challenges and opportunities for development in either a hot desert environment or a cold environment.

Use either Figure 9 or Figure 10 and a case study.

Tick the box to show which environment you have chosen.

Hot desert environment (Figure 9)

Cold environment (Figure 10)

Which one of the following phrases defines the term biodiversity?

Shade one circle only.

A How living things affect each other and the environment.

B The number and types of plants and animals that live in an area.

C Energy flows between living things when they eat or are eaten.

D How plants and animals are adapted to their habitats.

Study Figure 5, a world map showing global biodiversity levels.

Using Figure 5, describe the location of areas with low biodiversity levels.

Using Figure 5, suggest one reason for the high biodiversity levels in area X.

Outline one way that plants are adapted to the climate in either hot deserts or cold environments.

Study Figure 6, a graph showing global forest loss from 2011 to 2017.

Figure 6

Using Figure 6, calculate the mean global forest loss from 2011 to 2017.

Give your answer to one decimal place.

Calculate the percentage change in global forest loss between 2011 and 2017.

Shade one circle only.

A 62%

B 68%

C 74%

D 80%

State one way that debt reduction can help to make tropical rainforests more sustainable.

Study Figure 7, statements about deforestation in an LIC or NEE.

‘Tropical rainforests should be protected from economic development.’

Do you agree?

Explain your answer.

Use Figure 7 and your own understanding.

Study Figure 6, which shows a food web for a small scale ecosystem in the UK.

Using Figure 6, which one of the following statements is true?

Shade one circle only.

A Sparrowhawks eat plants. B Voles eat moles. C Moles eat beetles. D Badgers eat small birds.

Suggest what would happen in the food web shown in Figure 6 if foxes became extinct.

State one role of decomposers in an ecosystem.

Study Figure 7, a graph showing the biomass at different levels of a food chain.

Figure 7

Biomass is the total quantity or weight of organisms in a given area.

Calculate the percentage loss in biomass between the primary consumer and secondary consumer levels.

Shade one circle only.

A 2.5% B 97.5% C 25.2% D 95.5%

Give two reasons why the biomass changes between each level in the food chain.

Study Figure 8, a diagram showing the structure of the tropical rainforest.

Using Figure 8, which part of the rainforest matches the following description?

‘An almost continuous layer of branches and leaves between 15 and 30 metres high.’

Shade one circle only.

A Emergent layer B Upper canopy C Lower canopy D Understorey

Using Figure 8, describe one characteristic of the base of the taller trees.

Give one effect of deforestation on the soils of the rainforest.