Ecosystems of the Coastline (Edexcel IGCSE Geography): Flashcards
Exam code: 4GE1
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Define coral reef.
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Define coral reef.
A coral reef is a large deposit of calcium carbonate built entirely by living organisms called coral polyps.
Coral reefs are typically found between and latitude, where water temperatures are suitable for their growth.
Coral reefs are typically found between 30°N and 30°S latitude, where water temperatures are suitable for their growth.
What are the three main types of coral reefs?
The three main types of coral reefs are fringing reefs, barrier reefs, and atolls.
Define mangrove.
A mangrove is a tree or shrub that grows in the intertidal zone along tropical and subtropical coastlines, adapted to high humidity, saline water, and changing tidal conditions.
Mangroves are mainly found within north and south of the equator in .
Mangroves are mainly found within 30° north and south of the equator in warm tropical waters.
What is one major way mangrove roots help colonise new intertidal areas?
Mangrove roots trap mud, sand and silt, which builds up the intertidal zone and creates new land for mangroves to colonise.
Define coastal sand dune.
A coastal sand dune is an accumulation of sand shaped into mounds or ridges by the wind and found at the back of a beach, above the maximum reach of the tide.
Sand dunes develop best when there is a wide beach, large quantities of sand, the prevailing wind is , and there is a large to allow time for the sand to dry.
Sand dunes develop best when there is a wide beach, large quantities of sand, the prevailing wind is onshore, and there is a large tidal range to allow time for the sand to dry.
What is the process by which sand dunes become stable and support a greater variety of vegetation over time?
The process is called succession, where pioneer species colonise the dunes, and over time more plants grow, increasing stability and biodiversity until a climax community is established.
Define halosere.
A halosere is a succession of plant communities that develops in a salt marsh environment, starting from mudflats to mature salt-tolerant vegetation.
True or False?
Salt marshes are only found in tropical regions because they need high temperatures to form.
False.
Salt marshes are found all over the world and are not temperature dependent; they form in sheltered coastal areas with fine sediment and brackish water.
Salt marshes commonly begin as tidal mudflats, which gradually gain height as is deposited and are colonised by pioneer plants.
Salt marshes commonly begin as tidal mudflats, which gradually gain height as sediment is deposited and are colonised by pioneer halophyte plants.
Define biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem.
In an ecosystem, biotic factors are the living organisms, while abiotic factors are the non-living physical and chemical elements such as sunlight, water, and temperature.
What are the three main stores in the nutrient cycle of a coral reef ecosystem?
The three main stores in the nutrient cycle of a coral reef ecosystem are biomass, litter, and sea water.
In a coral reef, are organisms that bring nutrients back into the ecosystem by breaking down dead material. Examples include bacteria, sea cucumbers, and fungi.
In a coral reef, decomposers are organisms that bring nutrients back into the ecosystem by breaking down dead material. Examples include bacteria, sea cucumbers, and fungi.
Define producer in a mangrove ecosystem.
A producer in a mangrove ecosystem is an organism, such as the mangrove tree, that creates its own food through photosynthesis and forms the base of the food web.
In a mangrove ecosystem, what do most primary consumers feed on?
Detritus — dead organic matter from falling leaves. Small fish, crabs, clams and shrimp feed on it, as very few consumers eat the mangroves directly.
True or False?
Mangroves can survive in areas where the temperature regularly drops below 10°C.
False.
Mangroves typically grow in areas where the temperature does not drop below 19°C.
Define pioneer species.
A pioneer species is a plant or organism that is among the first to colonise bare or disturbed sand dunes, enabling succession by stabilising the sand and improving conditions for other species.
True or False?
Marram grass is a producer that helps stabilise sand dunes and enables further succession.
True.
Marram grass is a producer that colonises sand dunes, stabilising them and paving the way for other vegetation during succession.
Sand dune formation requires a large tidal range to allow sand to dry, an onshore prevailing wind, and for sand to accumulate behind.
Sand dune formation requires a large tidal range to allow sand to dry, an onshore prevailing wind, and obstacles for sand to accumulate behind.
Define producers in a salt marsh ecosystem.
In a salt marsh ecosystem, producers are organisms such as algae, seaweed, rushes, samphire, cord grass, and salt marsh hay, which can make their own food through photosynthesis.
In salt marshes, the water is , meaning it is a mixture of fresh and salty water.
In salt marshes, the water is brackish, meaning it is a mixture of fresh and salty water.
What role do decomposers play in a salt marsh ecosystem?
In a salt marsh ecosystem, decomposers such as fungi, bacteria, and worms break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil and supporting the ecosystem.
Define goods in the context of coastal ecosystems.
In coastal ecosystems, goods are material resources that can be extracted and used, such as fish, shellfish, and seaweed.
Coastal ecosystems offer and to people, providing both material resources and general benefits.
Coastal ecosystems offer goods and services to people, providing both material resources and general benefits.
List two services that coastal ecosystems can provide.
Coastal ecosystems provide services such as protection from storms and natural waste treatment.
True or False?
Industrialisation can threaten coral reefs by causing rising sea temperatures and coral bleaching.
True.
Industrialisation contributes to the enhanced greenhouse effect, which leads to rising sea temperatures and causes coral bleaching, threatening the health of coral reefs.
Fertiliser runoff and pesticide overspray from farming threaten coral reefs by causing nutrient pollution and chemical contamination.
Fertiliser runoff and pesticide overspray from commercial farming threaten coral reefs by causing nutrient pollution and chemical contamination.
True or False?
Clearance of mangroves for farm development can reduce coastal protection and biodiversity.
True.
Clearing mangroves for farming destroys habitats and removes natural barriers, reducing both coastal protection and biodiversity.
True or False?
Tourism is the biggest threat to coral reefs worldwide.
True.
Tourism is the biggest global threat to coral reefs.
The clearance of to build hotels is a major threat to coastal ecosystems, leading to the loss of habitat for many species.
The clearance of mangroves to build hotels is a major threat to coastal ecosystems, leading to the loss of habitat for many species.
True or False?
The removal of mangroves and coral reefs can increase the risk of coastal flooding and storm surges.
True.
Destruction of mangroves and coral reefs leaves coastal areas open to flooding and storm surges because these ecosystems act as natural barriers.
Removal of trees from destroys the mature dunes and allows for .
Removal of trees from sand dunes destroys the mature dunes and allows for dune migration.
Define coral bleaching.
The loss of colour in coral caused by rising sea temperatures, which stresses the reef and can lead to its death.
What is the biggest tourism threat to sand dunes?
Trampling of the delicate, unfixed dunes by visitors.
Aquaculture, such as intense fish and ______ farms, is an agricultural threat to mangroves.
Aquaculture, such as intense fish and shrimp farms, is an agricultural threat to mangroves.
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