The Living World

Living World
Ecosystem

A natural system that comprises of plants, animals and the natural environment
The living and non-living parts of an environment and the interrelationships that exist between them
Can be identified at different scales
Local ecosystem = pond or hedge
Larger = lakes or woodlands
Global scale =…

Long growing season (7 months)
Soil rich and fertile due to annual leaf fall for energy and water conservation in winter, called brown
soil
Plants flower in spring before the canopy blocks out light
Canopy blocks out light in summer
Layers provide range of habitats

Stratification

Canopy ­ 15-40m, dominant…

Main uses

Timber
Tourism
Recreational activities

How managed sustainably

Areas cleared of trees either replanted or restored to other habitats like heathland
Walkers and cyclist encouraged to stick to footpaths/ cycle paths to limit damage
Dogs not allowed near wildlife breeding sites at certain times of year to conserve wildlife…

Small desert animals come out at night
Camels ­ eat cactus flowers, store water, have a wide territory
Lizards- eat blackfly swarms
Elephants ­ eat roots of plants, walk long distances to find them
Lions ­ small prides, travel far to find food, don't go on sand dunes, large home…

Hunter-gatherers- survive by hunting animals and gathering fruit and natural products like honey
Most basic for of farming

Irrigation and commercial farming

Revolutionised farming
Main form of irrigation is indira Gandhi canal
2 main cities of jodhpur and jaisalmer
Also provides drinking water

Mining and industry

Rajasthan rich in minerals…

Stabilising sand dunes

Sand dunes in Thar desert are very mobile
In some areas they form threat to farmland and waterways
Planting blocks of trees and establishing shelterbelts of trees and fences alongside roads and
canals

Thar Desert national park

Created to protect 300km2 of arid land and endangered and…

0-1 ground layer

Plant adaptations

Drip tips to allow water to run of leaves easily
Epiphytes ­ gain nutrient from air and water instead of soil
Leaves have flexible bases so they can face the sunlight
Trees have smooth bark to allow water to flow easily off tree and to…

Resettlement

Urban dwellers encouraged to move into countryside to relieve pressure on cities
Transmigration

Fires

Natural
Forest clearance or arson
Slash and burn agriculture ­ local people clear small areas to grow food crops by burning ­ results
in wildfires

Impacts of deforestation

Reduces biodiversity, soil erosion, flooding if too…

Involves small groups
Local guides used
Building use local materials and are environmentally friendly
Mostly nature-based experiences
Limited transport involved
Worldwide initiatives
Debt relief
By wiping debt in return for looking after environment- debt for nature swaps
Carbon sinks
Forests are carbon sinks, they absorb carbon dioxide to help address…