a measure of how many different species live in an ecosystem

chemical substances found in all biotic features which are important for survival

when two or more biotic features, like plants or animals, depend or rely on each other to survive

Nutrient cycling and biodiversity in tropical rainforests

Geography

Characteristics of tropical rainforests

Plant and animal adaptations in tropical rainforests

Deforestation in the tropical rainforest

Deforestation in Indonesia’s tropical rainforest

Value of tropical rainforests to people and the environment

Sustainable rainforest management

Threats associated with climate change in the rainforest

Biotic and abiotic characteristics of the taiga biome

Plant and animal adaptations in the taiga biome

Nutrient cycling and biodiversity in the taiga biome

Threats to the taiga from commercial development

Causes of biodiversity loss in the taiga biome

Creating and protecting wilderness areas in the taiga biome

Conflicting views on protecting/exploiting resources in the taiga biome

Using GIS to visualise and analyse deforestation

This unit teaches pupils about tropical rainforest and taiga biomes. Pupils learn about its biotic and abiotic characteristics, the adaptations of plants and animals and the threats facing its biodiversity. The unit considers opposing views on protecting and exploiting resources.

Tropical rainforest and taiga biomes

chemical substances found in all biotic features, vital for survival

when two or more biotic features rely on each other to survive

Match the lesson's keywords with their definitions.

The soil store in the tropical rainforest has the least amount of nutrients, it doesn't hold nutrients for long making it nutrient-{{}}.

Nutrients enter the ecosystem through weathering and from the atmosphere

Plants take up nutrients from the soil and use them to grow

Animals obtain nutrients eating plants or other animals that have eaten plants

Plants & animals die, decomposers break down their tissues, releasing nutrients

Put the nutrient cycle into the correct order.

It reduces biodiversity and disrupts ecosystems

What is one consequence of deforestation on biodiversity?

A large geographical area with distinct climate, vegetation & animals.

The interaction of living and non-living things in a particular area.

The specific environment where a species lives.

Match the terms to their correct descriptions:

Short-term conditions of temperature and precipitation in an area

The long-term patterns of temperature, humidity, and precipitation in a region

The daily weather conditions in a specific location

The geographical features that determine the weather in a region

Tropical rainforests have a specific climate which is warm with high rainfall all year. How do we define climate?

The total number of species in a specific area at a given time

The variety and variability of life forms in an ecosystem or biome

The physical environment that supports different species in an ecosystem

The process by which species evolve over time to adapt to their surroundings

plants converting sunlight into energy through photosynthesis

animals depend on plants or other animals for food

fungi & bacteria breaking down dead matter recycling nutrients back

Match the stages of a food web with their definitions.

It disrupts habitats and reduces biodiversity

What impact does deforestation have on ecosystems?

The movement of nutrients through an ecosystem

Nutrient cycling and biodiversity in tropical rainforests

Lesson outcome