KS3 Geography Knowledge: Ecosystems

An ecosystem is an area, within which plants and animals interact with each other and their non-living environment (rock, soil, climate). They can be as small as a hedgerow or pond. Larger ecosystems are known as biomes (tropical rainforest, the desert).
Rainforest Producer Organisms that get their food from the natural environment (photosynthesis)
• Location • Along the equator in central Africa (Nigeria, Congo), south-east Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia), north Australia and South America (Brazil, Peru). e.g. vegetation
• Climate • Humid (hot & wet). The average daily temperature is 28°C. It t never goes below 20°C. and rarely above 35°C. It receives at least 2000mm of Consumer Organisms that feed on other organisms (producers and consumers).
rain each year. There are no real seasons. • herbivores (only eats plants)
• Vegetation • Very dense vegetation. There are over 1,000 different types of trees including hardwoods such as mahogany and greenheart. There are four • carnivores (eat only animals)
layers of vegetation in the tropical rainforest. The vegetation has had to adapt, in order to survive with the constant • omnivores (eats animals and plants)
high temperatures and the heavy rainfall.
 The trees grow over 40 metres tall to get sunlight. Large buttress roots anchor the tall trees and Decomposer Decomposers (fungi, bacteria) feed on dead producers & consumers. This
prevent them falling over. dead material is known as litter. They break down the litter and recycle the
 The leaves have drip tips to shed the heavy rainfall. nutrients back to the soil.
 Lianas are vine like plants. They use large trees as support to climb up to the canopy.
Food Chain A food chain is a single line of linkages between producers and consumers. It
 The forest floor is dark as the leaves block out the sunlight. As a result, the leaves in this lower level
are very large as they try to catch as much sunlight as possible. shows what eats what.

• Animals • Millions of species (e.g. jaguar, alligator, monkeys, apes). It is believed that in the Amazon Rainforest there are over 2,000 species of birds Nutrient The movement of nutrients around an ecosystem. e.g. when dead material is
and 1,500 species of fish. There is also thought to be 50,000 kinds of insects in a single square mile. Animals have to adapt to survive in the Cycle decomposed, nutrients are released into the soil. The nutrients are then taken
rainforest (see adaptations section). up from the soil by plants. The nutrients are then passed to consumers when
they eat the plants. When the consumers die, decomposers return the nutrients
Savannah to the soil.
• Location • The savannah ecosystems is located between the rainforests found at the equator and deserts found along the tropic lines. More precisely,
Animals adapt to survive in the ecosystem they live in. Adaptation = changing to suit the
they are located between 23.5° north and 23.5° south of the equator. The largest expanses of savannah are in Africa, for example Kenya and
surrounding environment.
Tanzania, consists of tropical grassland. They are also located in South America, Africa, Asia and Australia.
Camel • Long eyelashes which keep sand out of their eyes.
• Climate • The savannah has two seasons: a wet season and dry season. Its annual precipitation is between 100-150cm of rain, however most of this
(desert) • Camouflage - their colour helps them blend in.
falls in the wet season. The temperature is warm throughout the year, with a temperature range between 25°C to 30°C across the year.
• They store fat in their hump which can be used for energy. Therefore they
• Vegetation • The main type of vegetation is grass, which grows very tall. There are also occasional scattered trees such as the Baobab tree and Acacia can go months with no food.
tree. These have adapted to survive in the savannah. • Long necks help them to reach tall trees for food.
Giraffe
 The Baobab Tree: it only produces leaves in the wet season and their leaves are very small. These both reduce the rate of transpiration = less • Long legs help them run very fast.
water lost. They are also able to store water in their tree trunk to help it survive in the dry season. (savannah)
• Camouflage: their colour helps them blend in.
 The Acacia Tree it has long roots that travel deep underground to search for groundwater. To avoid water loss they have small waxy leaves which • Spots help them stay camouflaged.
prevents transpiration. To protect against predators, it has sharp thorns and a chemical defence system where it secretes a poisonous fluid into Cheetah
(savannah) • Paws help them to run quietly so they are able to sneak up on their prey.
its leaves. This prevents it being eaten by giraffes.
• Large nostrils and enlarged hearts and lungs help them to circulate oxygen
• Animals • Lots. Most are fast with strong legs (zebra, giraffe). There are many herbivores due to the high amount of grass, however carnivores (lions, efficiently = they can run fast.
cheetahs) are also found in the savannah due to the high number of herbivores. • Their long limbs (arms and legs) allow spider monkeys to swing through the
Spider
monkey trees with ease.
Desert • Their strong tails allow them to hang suspended up in the trees and aids
• Location • Near the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn at 23. 5°C north and 23. 5° south of the equator (rainforest)
their swinging.
• Climate • Arid (hot with very little rain). The average temperature is 40°C in the day and average annual rainfall is 250mm. • 90% of their diet comes from nuts, seeds, fruit and insects.
• Vegetation • Sparse (e.g. cactus, Joshua tree)
• Animals • Very few. Scorpians have adapted
Poison • Is very small to prevent being eaten
Tundra Dart Frog • Has skin that releases poison when touched
• Location • North (arctic circle) and south poles (rainforest)
• Climate • Very cold, very dry, soil is permanently frozen (permafrost). Winters are cold, dark and long, with an average temperature is -30°C. In mid- • Thick white fur to help camouflage help them keep warm.
• Vegetation December it is dark all day. In the summer temperatures vary between 0-10°C. Polar Bear
(tundra) • Layer of fat under their skin helping them stay warm.
• Animals • Sparse – usually small bushes and flowers. The top layer of soil only thaws during 2-3 months in the summer. • Large feet help to spread their weight over a larger surface area. This
• Few (e.g. penguin, polar bear). prevents the ice breaking beneath them.
 KS3 Geography Knowledge: Ecosystems
Malaysia is a country in South East Asia. It is made up of Peninsular Malaysia and The savannah ecosystem is located between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic
East Malaysia. 67% of Malaysia is covered in tropical rainforest. of Capricorn, in South America, Africa, Asia and Australia. Almost 65% of
Humans use the tropical rainforest in Malaysia for a number of economic Africa is covered by savannah grasslands, in countries such as Tanzania,
industries = more jobs, income and taxes which the government can spend on Nigeria, Uganda and Kenya. Humans use the rainforest for a number of
improving the country (education, healthcare, transportation). Unfortunately economic activities, including safaris (tourism), cattle farming and growing
it also causes deforestation. The rate of deforestation in Malaysia is increasing crops. These activities bring a lot of economic advantages with jobs and
faster than in any tropical country in the world. Between 1990 and 2010, money for development, however they are also causing desertification. This
Malaysia lost over 1.9 million hectares of rainforest, which has a number of is happening today in the Sahel – the area covering Africa’s northern savannah,
further impacts (see below). just south of the Sahara Desert.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE RAINFOREST & ITS IMPACT Desertification: the process where land gradually turns into a desert. It becomes drier, less fertile and vulnerable to erosion.
Cattle Large areas of the rainforest are cleared for cattle ranches. In 2017, 744,000 cows were sold for their meat.
CAUSES OF DESERTIFICATION IN THE SAHEL
Farming Good: jobs, better income, government gets more taxes = money for development (improve healthcare, education…etc.)
Bad: deforestation, habitat loss, less photosynthesis = more global warming Climate change results in extreme weather, such as droughts.
Palm Oil In the 1970s large areas of the rainforest were cleared and made into massive palm oil plantations (farms). Their fruit Lack of rainfall = not enough rain for the soils to have moisture and stay healthy. Also plants die due to lack of water
Production gives palm oil which we use in cooking oil, bread, cake, chocolate & candles. Climate change = roots no longer hold the soil together = vulnerable to erosion.
Good: jobs, better income, government gets more taxes = money for development (improve healthcare, education…etc.) High temperatures = any water is immediately evaporated leaving the soil very dry. Also salts in the water are left
Bad: deforestation, habitat loss, less photosynthesis = more global warming on the soil after the water is evaporated = salty, dry soil that is vulnerable to erosion.

Logging In 1980, Malaysia became the world’s largest exporter of tropical wood (ebony and mahogany). Animals remove vegetation cover, when they eat. This leaves the ground bare and unprotected. Wind and rain can
Good: jobs, better income, government gets more taxes = money for development (improve healthcare, education…etc.) Over-grazing then easily carry off the loose soil. It also reduces the soil’s ability to carry moisture, making it dry and vulnerable to
Bad: deforestation, habitat loss, less photosynthesis = more global warming, trees can take 100s of years to regrow. desertification.
Mining There are huge deposits of minerals (copper, tin) in the Malaysian rainforest. Land is cleared and mined to access these
minerals which are then sold to other countries. Roads are created to improve access to the mines. Population growth in the Sahel = more demand for food. As a result land is being over-farmed. This uses up all the
Good: jobs, better income, government gets more taxes = money for development, better transport routes. Over-cultivation nutrients in the soil, leaving it dry and exposed to erosion. Often people in the Sahel cannot afford fertilisers to
Bad: deforestation, habitat loss, less photosynthesis = more global warming, pollution from machinery, chemicals used in replace the removed nutrients.
mining poison ecosystem.
Population growth = increased demand for fuel wood = increased deforestation.
Hydro- The high quantity of water in the rainforest can be used to create cheap energy in hydro-electric power stations. The The roots of trees previously would bind the soil together, preventing soil erosion. Therefore, without any trees the
electric Bakun Dam is a dam in Malaysia that generates electricity for its people. It is the highest dam outside of China (205m). Deforestation
soil is more vulnerable to erosion. Furthermore, if the trees are removed their nutrients are not returned to the soil
power Good: jobs, income, money for development, provide sustainable clean energy to locals and industries. by decomposers = soil becomes less fertile.
Bad: when you build a dam, a massive reservoir (lake) is created behind it, which floods large areas of land = loss of
habitats/settlements. Tribes lose their homes, land and culture. The Bakun Dam flooded over 700km2 of forest.

SUSTAINABILITY IN THE RAINFOREST. Sustainability: meeting the needs of today without harming the environment in the future. RESPONDING TO DESERTIFICAITON: how can we reduce the risk of desertification in the Sahel?

Selective Only some trees that have been selected are cut down rather than cutting down all the trees in an area. Malaysia Afforestation • The roots also help to hold the soil together and prevent erosion.
logging implemented a Selective Management System in 1977 which identifies which trees are to be cut down and (planting • When the plants/leaves die, their nutrients are giving back to their soil.
implements strict fines for illegal logging. trees) • They act as windbreakers and therefore reduce wind erosion.
Afforestation Afforestation is when new trees are planted as others are cut down. Trees stabilize the soil, replenish lost nutrients and Crop When farmers allow a field to rest between farming. This allows the soil time to repair and get their nutrients
provide habitats for wildlife. Rotation back. This prevents over-cultivation.
National Areas are protected from development and deforestation. There are more than 30 national parks in Malaysia, Grazing Move the animals from place to place to reduce the amount of vegetation eaten or reduce the number of farm
parks including Taman Negara National Park, which protects 4344km2 from development and deforestation. Rotation animals. This prevents over-grazing.
Coppicing Coppicing is when you only cut trees down halfway. This means you get the wood you need to make furniture, fuel or Coppicing Coppicing is when you only cut trees down halfway. This means you get the wood you need to make furniture,
paper, however the trees can regrow quickly. This means there is a constant supply of wood. fuel or paper, however the trees can regrow quickly. This means there is a constant supply of wood.
Raising Educate people and companies on how they are harming the rainforest and provide ideas of how they can make Plant hedges Hedges trap dry soil from being blown away by the wind. This stops the land turning into a desert.
awareness & money in the rainforest, however in a more sustainable way. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) works with governments
education to better create and protect National Parks. It also helps to identify the most suitable areas to build dams or roads to Store water Earth Dams: collect and store water in the wet season. The stored water is then used to irrigate crops in the
have minimal impact on the rainforest and its people. for irrigation dry season.