Question 1: Define 'biodiversity' and give an example of a highly biodiverse ecosystem.

Answer: Biodiversity refers to the variety of living organisms in an ecosystem, such as in the Amazon Rainforest which hosts over 390 billion individual trees and numerous species.

Question 2: What is 'primary productivity' in an ecosystem?

Answer: Primary productivity is the rate at which plants and algae produce organic substances through photosynthesis.

Question 3: Explain the term 'abiotic factors' with two examples.

Answer: Abiotic factors are non-living physical and chemical components, such as temperature and soil pH.

Question 4: Name the major types of ecosystems based on climate.

Answer: Tropical, temperate, and polar ecosystems.

Question 5: Describe the concept of 'energy flow' within an ecosystem.

Answer: Energy flow describes how energy moves through the food chain from producers to consumers and decomposers.

Question 1: What is the primary source of energy in most ecosystems?

Answer: The Sun

Question 2: Name the two main types of terrestrial ecosystems.

Answer: Forests and grasslands.

Question 3: Which biome is characterized by very low rainfall and high temperatures, often found in North Africa?

Answer: Desert

Question 4: Identify three factors that influence the distribution of ecosystems.

Answer: Climate, soil type, altitude.

Question 5: What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

Answer: Decomposers break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the soil.

Question 1: Based on the case study, explain how deforestation in the Amazon affects global carbon cycles.

Answer: Deforestation reduces the number of trees that absorb CO2 through photosynthesis, leading to increased atmospheric CO2 levels and contributing to climate change.

Question 2: Describe the adaptations of plants and animals to the arid conditions of the Sahara Desert.

Answer: Plants like cacti have thick, water-storing tissues and deep roots; animals such as camels have humps for fat storage and adaptations to conserve water.

Question 3: Analyze the economic activities in the Amazon rainforest and their impact on the ecosystem.

Answer: Activities like logging, agriculture, and mining provide economic benefits but cause habitat loss, biodiversity decline, and fragmentation of ecosystems.

Question 4: Evaluate the challenges of conserving ecosystems like the Amazon and Sahara in the face of human development.

Answer: Conservation is challenged by economic pressures, illegal activities, political conflicts, and the need for sustainable development. Balancing economic growth with environmental protection requires international cooperation and local community engagement.

Question 1: Explain why deforestation in tropical rainforests leads to a loss of biodiversity.

Answer: Deforestation destroys habitats, reducing the number of niches available for species, which leads to a decline in biodiversity and possible extinction of some species.

Question 2: Analyse the impacts of climate change on desert ecosystems like the Sahara.

Answer: Climate change can lead to increased temperatures and reduced rainfall, exacerbating desertification, reducing water availability, and threatening the survival of native flora and fauna.

Question 3: Explain how human activities can alter the energy flow within an ecosystem.

Answer: Activities such as deforestation or pollution can disrupt food chains, reducing primary productivity or killing key species, thereby altering the natural energy flow.

Question 1: To what extent are conservation strategies effective in protecting the Amazon Rainforest? Consider both successes and challenges.

Answer: Conservation strategies like protected areas and sustainable logging have had some success in reducing deforestation and preserving biodiversity. However, enforcement issues, economic pressures, and illegal activities pose ongoing challenges, limiting overall effectiveness. Long-term success depends on integrated approaches involving local communities, government policies, and international support.