Transcript Slide 1
Conditions for Life on Earth Availability of water Physiological solvent, transport, coolant. The anomalous expansion on freezing (ice floats) prevents many water bodies from freezing solid. The high specific heat capacity of water moderates temperature change. Water provides aquatic habitats. Appropriate temperature range For liquid water, enzyme function. Suitable ambient gases Carbon dioxide, nitrogen in the pre-life atmosphere Light photosynthesis, source of energy for the water cycle. Atmospheric oxygen The production of oxygen and its interaction with UV to form the ozone layer. Atmospheric carbon dioxide Reduction of CO2 levels and the importance of this in maintaining global temperatures as the sun has become brighter. Rationale for Wildlife Conservation 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Educational reasons Aesthetic/recreational Moral reasons Ethical reasons Economic benefits Medical How many can Food resources you name? Materials Hint: there are 8 How humans threaten wildlife Deliberate exploitation Food Give Fashion Pets and entertainment Furniture and ornaments Traditional medicines an example of each Accidental harm from other activities Unintentional deaths caused by human activities Introduced species Predators Competitors Disease Habitat change / destruction Conservation methods CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species). Wildlife & Countryside Act (1981 & 1984) Legal establishment of protected areas IWC (International Whaling Commission) Captive breeding and release How do each of these help in conservation? Conservation in the UK 1. Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) A. Plants, animals, geographical or geological features. 2. National Nature Reserves B. Rare or migratory birds 3. Local Nature Reserves C. Usually SSSIs which are good examples of important habitats. 4. Marine Nature Reserve D. Very strict legal controls E. benefit of wildlife and the public Special Protection Areas (SPAs) F. Wetlands of international importance. Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) G. E.G. Lundy Island, Skomer 5. 6. 7. Ramsar sites UK Habitats Broadleaf woodland Wetlands Heathland Hedgerows Chalk grassland Hay meadows Coastal habitats How many threatened habitats do you know? Hint: 7! Conservation Abroad Tropical Rainforest Coral Reef Antarctica For each you must be able to give ecological features, importance to humans and threats. Life processes in the Biosphere Temperature A Symbiotic nutrition B Acquiring food /avoidance of predation light A pH A Disease B water A mineral nutrients A turbulence and physical damage. A Pollination B Seed dispersal B B Which are biotic and which are abiotic? Grouping organisms Species Population Community Ecosystem Habitat Niche Biome Biosphere Can you define each one? Changes in ecosystems What is the difference between primary and secondary succession? What is a plagioclimax? What is the climax community in Britain? What are pioneer species? Populations What is carrying capacity? The maximum population size that can be supported indefinitely without damaging or over-exploiting the environment. Give 2 density dependent factors food supply, disease Give 2 density independent factors drought, flood, volcanic eruption Land Use Conflicts 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Urban expansion New/enlarged roads Proposed/enlarged airports There are 9 Port developments Mining /quarrying major causes Harnessing energy of land use Windfarms conflicts, can Power stations Recreation and tourism you name them? Practical Skills Random sampling using quadrats Belt transects to record changes in species distribution Mark - release - recapture (Lincoln Index) method of estimating population size Kick sampling and nets for aquatic organisms Pitfall traps, Light traps for night-flying moths