GCSE Geography Ecosystems Keywords

Buttress roots

• Large, wide roots found in nutrient-poor soils in the TRF that prevent large trees from falling over.

• Thin, shallow roots that absorb water from the surface.

• Roots that grow above ground to access sunlight.

• Roots that store nutrients for the tree during dry seasons.

Commercial exploitation

• When an area such as the tropical rainforest is developed for financial gain e.g. logging and deforestation.

• The process of conserving natural resources for future generations.

• A method of sustainable farming that protects the environment.

• The practice of reforesting areas that have been deforested.

Boreal

• A biome characterized by warm summers and very cold winters dominated by coniferous trees with needles e.g. central Russia.

• A tropical rainforest biome with high biodiversity and warm temperatures year-round.

• A desert biome with extreme temperatures and very little rainfall.

• A grassland biome with moderate rainfall and few trees, often found in the central United States.

Function (of tropical rainforests)

• The TRF vegetation absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, therefore regulating the atmosphere.

• The TRF provides habitat for a variety of wildlife species.

• The TRF is primarily used for agricultural purposes.

• The TRF has no significant impact on the global climate.

Sustainable management

• Strategies that allow the TRF to be used e.g. ecotourism that support the local economy, without causing damage to the environment for future generations.

• Methods that prioritize short-term economic gains over environmental protection.

• Practices that involve deforestation to increase agricultural output.

• Techniques that focus solely on urban development without considering ecological impacts.

Governance

• Decisions made by the state or government.

• A type of economic system.

• A method of environmental conservation.

• A form of social interaction.

Hibernation

• The sleep of creatures during winter to conserve energy.

• A state of active movement during winter months.

• A type of migration to warmer climates.

• A period of increased activity and feeding.

Biome

• A type of animal habitat

• An ecosystem on a global scale

• A specific geographical location

• A climate zone characterized by temperature

Nutrient cycle (Gersmehl model)

• The process of photosynthesis in plants.

• The transfer of nutrients between the three nutrient ‘stores’: biomass, litter and soil.

• The decomposition of organic matter in the soil.

• The absorption of water by plant roots.

Ecotourism

• Responsible travel to more natural areas that conserves the environment, employs local people and provides education.

• Traveling to urban areas for leisure and entertainment.

• Visiting natural parks without regard for the environment.

• Traveling exclusively for luxury and comfort.