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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
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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
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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
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