Key Takeaways: Ecosystems and Rural Environments (GCSE Geography)

1. Biomes

  • Definition: Large-scale ecosystems defined by dominant vegetation (e.g., tropical rainforest, tundra).
  • Key Examples:BiomeClimateVegetationTundraCold, low precipitationMosses, lichens, dwarf treesTropical RainforestHot, wet year-roundDense, layered vegetationDesertArid (hot/cold)Sparse cacti/shrubsTemperate GrasslandSeasonal extremes, dry wintersGrasses (e.g., prairies, steppes)

Rule: Biome distribution depends on temperature and moisture.
Tip: Use Figure 5.1 to memorise locations.

2. Ecosystems

  • Components:
    • Inputs: Sunlight, rainfall, nutrients.
    • Stores: Plants, animals, soil.
    • Outputs: CO₂, water, eroded soil.
  • Adaptation & Succession:
    • Example: Coastal sand dunes (Figure 5.2):
      1. Pioneer species (e.g., sea couch grass) colonise harsh conditions.
      2. Succession leads to improved soil → climax community (e.g., oak trees).
    • Zonation: Distinct zones due to varying conditions (e.g., yellow dunes vs. fixed dunes).

Tip: Link succession to biodiversity increase.

3. Temperate Grasslands

  • Features: Rich chernozem soils, grasses dominate (e.g., Australian grasslands).
  • Food Web Example (Figure 5.3):
    • Producers: Grasses, wattle trees.
    • Primary Consumers: Kangaroo, insects.
    • Secondary Consumers: Frilled lizard, wombat.
    • Tertiary Consumers: Wedge-tailed eagle.

Case Study: Dust Bowl (1930s USA) – Over-farming caused soil erosion.

4. Goods vs. Services

  • Goods: Tangible resources (e.g., timber, crops).
  • Services: Long-term benefits (e.g., CO₂ absorption by forests).
    Example: Temperate grasslands provide wheat (good) and soil fertility (service).

5. Rural Environments

  • Characteristics (Figure 5.4):
    • Low population density, farming-dominated land use.
    • Challenges: Rural-urban migration, soil degradation.
  • Case Study – Lake District National Park:
    • Management: Promote tourism, protect wildlife, maintain footpaths.

6. Farming Systems

  • Farm as a System (Figure 5.6):
    Outputs=f(Inputs×Technology)Outputs=f(Inputs×Technology)
    • E.g., irrigation increases water input → higher crop yields.
  • Types of Farming:TypeDefinitionExampleSubsistenceFood for familyRice farming in BangladeshCommercialCrops for saleWheat farms in USAIntensiveHigh yield per hectareGreenhouse tomatoes (HICs)ExtensiveLow yield over large areaSheep grazing in Australia

Case Study – Irrigation in Bangladesh:

  • Pros: Year-round rice growth.
  • Cons: Salinisation, waterlogging.

7. Food Shortages in LICs

  • Causes:
    • Natural: Droughts, floods.
    • Human: Overcultivation, cash crops.
  • Consequences: Malnutrition, rural debt.
  • Green Revolution:
    • Pros: HYVs doubled yields.
    • Cons: Pollution, monocultures.

Equation:
Food Security=Production−Population GrowthResource ManagementFood Security=Resource ManagementProduction−Population Growth​

8. Rural Changes

  • LICs: Rural-urban migration → abandoned farms, cash crops (e.g., Kenyan coffee).
  • HICs:
    • Commuter belts: Rising house prices.
    • Counterurbanisation: Urban → remote rural migration.

Tip: Compare LICs (depopulation) vs. HICs (diversification).

Exam Tips

  1. Case Studies: Memorise Dust Bowl, Lake District, Green Revolution.
  2. Diagrams: Practice annotating food webs (Figure 5.3) and sand dune succession (Figure 5.2).
  3. Definitions: Use bold terms (e.g., biome, succession) in answers.
  4. Math Skills: Calculate population growth rates:
    Growth Rate (%)=(Population ChangeOriginal Population)×100Growth Rate (%)=(Original PopulationPopulation Change​)×100

50 Unique GCSE Geography Questions

Section A: Biomes

  1. Define the term ‘biome’ and provide two examples.
  2. Explain how climate controls the distribution of biomes.
  3. Describe the vegetation found in the tundra biome.
  4. Compare the coniferous forest and deciduous forest biomes.
  5. Why is the tropical rainforest the most productive biome?
  6. Name the biome characterised by summer drought and winter rain.
  7. Identify the biome that resembles tundra due to altitude.

Section B: Ecosystems

  1. Outline the three main components of an ecosystem.
  2. How does zonation differ from succession in a coastal sand dune ecosystem?
  3. What role do pioneer species play in ecological succession?
  4. Explain why biodiversity increases during succession.
  5. Using Figure 5.2, describe the stages of sand dune succession.
  6. Define ‘climax community’ with an example.

Section C: Temperate Grasslands

  1. Name three regions where temperate grasslands are found.
  2. Why are chernozem soils significant in temperate grasslands?
  3. Construct a food web for the Australian grasslands using Figure 5.3.
  4. Explain how over-farming led to the Dust Bowl in the 1930s.
  5. Calculate the percentage of soil loss if 200 tonnes of soil erode from a 500-tonne store.
    Soil Loss %=(200500)×100=40%Soil Loss %=(500200​)×100=40%

Section D: Goods and Services

  1. Distinguish between goods and services of an ecosystem.
  2. Provide one example of a service provided by temperate grasslands.

Section E: Rural Environments

  1. List four characteristics of rural environments.
  2. How does the Lake District National Park balance tourism and conservation?
  3. Why is rural depopulation a problem in LICs?

Section F: Farming Systems

  1. Define ‘subsistence farming’ and ‘commercial farming’.
  2. Explain how irrigation increases farming outputs using the equation:
    Outputs=f(Inputs×Technology)Outputs=f(Inputs×Technology)
  3. Describe two challenges of using GM crops.
  4. Compare intensive and extensive farming.
  5. Why is salinisation a risk in irrigated farms?
  6. Calculate the yield per hectare if a 10-hectare farm produces 50 tonnes of crops.
    Yield=5010=5 tonnes/haYield=1050​=5 tonnes/ha

Section G: Food Shortages

  1. List three natural causes of food shortages in LICs.
  2. Explain how cash crops exacerbate food shortages.
  3. Evaluate the successes and failures of the Green Revolution.
  4. Why did African countries benefit less from the Green Revolution?

Section H: Rural Changes

  1. Describe two impacts of rural-urban migration in LICs.
  2. What is counterurbanisation, and why does it occur?
  3. How do commuter belts change rural areas in HICs?
  4. Explain why remote rural areas in HICs face depopulation.

Section I: Case Studies

  1. Summarise the causes and consequences of the Dust Bowl.
  2. How does the Lake District National Park manage tourist traffic?
  3. Analyse the pros and cons of irrigation in Bangladesh.

Section J: Exam Skills

  1. Interpret Figure 5.3: What biome does this food web represent?
  2. Identify two risks of conducting a transect survey on sand dunes.
  3. Define ‘intensive agriculture’ with an LIC and HIC example.
  4. Explain suburbanisation in one sentence.
  5. Name two types of farming and their key features.

Section K: Calculations and Analysis

  1. A population grows from 1,000 to 1,200 in 10 years. Calculate the growth rate.
    Growth Rate=(2001000)×100=20%Growth Rate=(1000200​)×100=20%
  2. If 30% of a rural population migrates to cities, how many remain if the original population is 5,000?
    5000−(0.3×5000)=35005000−(0.3×5000)=3500
  3. A farm’s output increases from 2 tonnes to 3 tonnes after using fertilisers. Calculate the percentage increase.
    Increase=(12)×100=50%Increase=(21​)×100=50%

Section L: Evaluation

  1. “GM crops are the best solution to food shortages.” Discuss.
  2. Assess the effectiveness of national parks in protecting rural environments.

Detailed Answers

1. Biome: A large-scale ecosystem defined by dominant vegetation (e.g., tropical rainforest, desert).
2. Climate Control: Temperature and moisture determine biome distribution (e.g., deserts form in arid zones).
3. Tundra Vegetation: Grasses, mosses, lichens, and dwarf trees due to cold, dry conditions.
4. Coniferous vs. Deciduous: Coniferous trees have needle-like leaves for cold; deciduous shed leaves in winter.
5. Tropical Rainforest Productivity: Constant warmth and rainfall support rapid plant growth.
6. Mediterranean Biome: Summers dry, winters wet; adapted shrubs (e.g., olive trees).
7. Mountain Biome: Cold with altitude; similar to tundra.
8. Ecosystem Components: Inputs (sunlight), stores (plants), outputs (CO₂).
9. Zonation vs. Succession: Zonation = spatial zones; succession = temporal changes.
10. Pioneer Species: Stabilise harsh environments (e.g., sea couch grass on dunes).
11. Biodiversity Increase: Succession improves soil, allowing more species to thrive.
12. Sand Dune Stages: Pioneer species → marram grass → fixed dunes → climax oak forest.
13. Climax Community: Stable ecosystem (e.g., oak forest in sand dunes).
14. Temperate Grasslands: Prairies (USA), steppes (Asia), pampas (Argentina).
15. Chernozem Soils: Rich in nutrients from decomposed grasses.
16. Food Web: Grasses → insects/kangaroo → frilled lizard → wedge-tailed eagle.
17. Dust Bowl: Over-ploughing removed grass cover, causing soil erosion in 1930s USA.
18. Soil Loss Calculation: Answer provided in question.
19. Goods vs. Services: Goods = tangible (timber); services = benefits (CO₂ absorption).
20. Grassland Service: Soil fertility maintenance.
21. Rural Characteristics: Low density, farming, conservation, inaccessibility.
22. Lake District Management: Footpath repairs, traffic control, tourism advertising.
23. LIC Depopulation: Youth migration → labour shortage → land abandonment.
24. Farming Types: Subsistence (self-sufficient); commercial (sale-oriented).
25. Irrigation Equation: Added water input boosts outputs (e.g., rice in Bangladesh).
26. GM Challenges: Contamination fears, high costs, ethical concerns.
27. Intensive vs. Extensive: Intensive = high yield/small area; extensive = low yield/large area.
28. Salinisation: Irrigation evaporation leaves salt, poisoning crops.
29. Yield Calculation: Answer provided in question.
30. Natural Causes: Droughts, floods, cyclones.
31. Cash Crops Issue: Replace food crops → reduced local food supply.
32. Green Revolution: Pros (higher yields); Cons (pollution, debt).
33. Africa’s Limitation: Poor infrastructure, less adoption of HYVs.
34. LIC Migration Impacts: Labour loss, rural poverty.
35. Counterurbanisation: Urban residents moving to rural areas for quality of life.
36. Commuter Belts: Rising house prices, dormitory villages.
37. Remote Depopulation: Service closures, fewer jobs.
38. Dust Bowl: Caused by over-farming; consequence = soil erosion, economic collapse.
39. Lake District Traffic: Parking management, public transport promotion.
40. Bangladesh Irrigation: Pros (year-round crops); Cons (salinisation).
41. Food Web Biome: Temperate grassland (Australian example).
42. Transect Risks: Unstable dunes, weather hazards.
43. Intensive Examples: LIC = rice paddies; HIC = greenhouse farming.
44. Suburbanisation: Urban sprawl into surrounding rural areas.
45. Farming Types: Arable (crops); pastoral (animals).
46–48. Calculations: Answers provided in questions.
49. GM Crops Debate: Pros (disease resistance); Cons (biodiversity loss).
50. National Parks: Success (conservation) vs. failure (over-tourism).