Compare and contrast the attributes, properties and structure of two of the world's ecosystems. (Include an outline of the climate and soils of each ecosystem, plant adaptations to survive these conditions and interactions between organisms within that ecosystem) Conclude with a small paragraph explaining why it is important to know about ecosystems in landscape design referring back to your biomes of choice.
Temperate woodland vs Tropical rainforest
A biome is a large ecosystem, with individual vegetation characteristics and unique types of flora and fauna that have evolved as a result of the climate, soils and interrelationships between the living ecosystem and there habitat. Tropical rainforests are the most productive biomes in the world,…show more content… Tropical rainforests around the globe include; The Amazon rainforest, The Congo Basin, Coastal Ecuador and West Africa. Temperate Deciduous Forest Biomes on the other hand, are predominantly found in central and northwest Europe and are the native climatic climax for the UK.
Tropical Rainforests have equatorial climates, there temperatures range from 26-28 °C with a diurnal range of 10°C. During the evening, the temperature can drop to 22°C, while the mid-afternoon heat can reach 32°C. Annual insolation is constant, with about 12 hours of daylight and darkness.
Violent rainfall occurs daily, and thunderstorms are frequent in these equatorial climates, with high average annual precipitation of 2000mm or above. Such intense weather is created by the trade winds at the Inter Tropical Conversion Zone (ITCZ) when both the Hadley cells converge at the equator, resulting in an ascent of warm, moist and unstable air in strong convectional currents. (Barker,A. Redfern,D. Skinner,M.(2009) AQA Geography Contemporary Geographical Issues. Philip…show more content… Brazil, an LDC has had a population boom increasing from 2million in 1960 to 3 million in 1996. An increase in population increases the demand on raw materials and desirable resources such as food, employment, housing and minerals; all of which can be found in the Amazon rainforest. This population pressure has resulted in a 40% increase in deforestation in the Amazon since the 1960’s which has created environmental and anthropogenic issues as a result. (Smith,J. Knill,R.(2009) AQA A2 Geography. Nelson Thornes, Oxford) The valuable and vulnerable biome that is, The Amazon Rainforest has been dramatically damaged. This not only endangers vulnerable species that relies on the protection of there habitat but, it also effects the critical aspects like the soil, climate, nitrogen and water cycle further deteriorating the environmental state not only of the Amazon but of the