Impact Of Climate On Ecosystem

Front 1

Where about is the Sonoran Desert located?

Back 1

It is in Phoenix, Arizona yet extends over southern California, southern Arizona and northern Mexico.

Front 2

Name a plant adapted to climate in the Sonora and describe how it is adapted.

Back 2

PHYSICAL
Saguaro cactus
-succulent
-accordion-like stem(expands, stores water when wet)
-ribbed stem reduces wind currents (less evaporation)
-shallow roots absorb water from storms before it evaporates
-stomata sunk into stem, reduce water loss

Front 3

Name three other succulents in the Sonora that have similar adaptations to the Saguaro.

Back 3

PHYSICAL
Barrel cacti
Hedgehog cacti
Prickly pear cacti

Front 4

What other cacti adopts adaptations similar to the Saguaro plus one more, slightly different, one? And what is it?

Back 4

PHYSICAL
Cholla cactus
Has dense spines that reflect the solar rays

Front 5

Trees are adapted to conditions in the Sonora that differ between upper and lower slopes. Name one from the Upper zone.

Back 5

PHYSICAL
Upper: Palo Verde
-this tree loses its leaves in dry season to reduce water loss, yet can still carry out photosynthesis with its green bark

Front 6

Trees are adapted to conditions in the Sonora that differ between upper and lower slopes. Name one from the Lower zone.

Back 6

PHYSICAL
Lower: Creosote bushes
-small, resinous leaves reduce transpiration
-spacing is controlled by water availability

Front 7

What do we call plants that have a constant water supply? If they have a constant water supply then what adaptations do they have?

Back 7

PHYSICAL
Phreatophyte.
Water sources are in the desert are quite saline, so plants have to be adapted to toxic soils and water.
Mesquite bush grows on edge of salt pans and streams.

Front 8

Name three kinds of halophyte.

Back 8

PHYSICAL
Inkweed, saltgrass and pickleweed

Front 9

Describe the soils in the Sonora.

Back 9

PHYSICAL
thin, infertile and alkaline

Front 10

What is the disastrous effect of seasonal rainfall in the Sonora Desert?

Back 10

PHYSICAL
Rains leach soluble salts down through soil which are then evaporated in the dry season.

Front 11

What are the issues that would arise due to dropping water table?

Back 11

HUMAN
-Deteriorating water quality
-Expensive
-Not sustainable
-Saguaro cactus endangered(long roots, cannot reach water)
-Drying of surface rock makes it compact, crack and sink
-High evap rates will lead to salinisation of surface soils

Front 12

By how much does the water table drop due to extraction in some places?

Back 12

HUMAN
3m per year in some places

Front 13

How much of the water supply comes from under-ground aquifers and where does this water originate from?

Back 13

HUMAN
50% of the supply
From water that fell in past pluvials

Front 14

What was the main reason for growth in Phoenix?

Back 14

HUMAN
The source of water from exogenic rivers that flow through the Sonora, as well as the Saguaro Lake.

Front 15

How many people live in Phoenix and Tuscan?

Back 15

HUMAN
3 million

Front 16

Briefly name 5 physical factors that affect the ecosystem in arid areas/make it more vulnerable.

Back 16

PHYSICAL
-drought
-flash flooding
-frost
-lightning
-dust storms

Front 17

Briefly name 5 human activities that affect the ecosystem in arid areas/make it more vulnerable to damage.

Back 17

HUMAN
-urbanisation
-water abstraction
-development(road, rail, airport)
-mining
-intro of non-native species

Front 18

What have large cities replaced in arid areas and what located example could you use?

Back 18

HUMAN
Large cities have replaced deserts with cacti and creosote bushes.
Example:Phoenix (Sonora)

Front 19

Water usage in the desert to supply large cities and human developments can have adverse effects on the ecosystem. What methods are used and what does it specifically affect?

Back 19

HUMAN
Groundwater and river abstraction.
Mesquite bushes and cottonwood trees growing along stream banks are affected.

Front 20

What major effect does the construction of roads and gas and water pipelines have on the ecosystem?

Back 20

HUMAN
It displaces natural habitats

Front 21

What is the biggest cause of disrupted migratory patterns in the Sonora and Mojave?

Back 21

HUMAN
Fenced highways
Proghorn(antelope) roam long distances in search of food and water. In 2001-2 a drought caused numbers to fall but was made worse by fences restricting the reaching of water.

Front 22

What effect does the growing popularity of off-road vehicles have in the Mojave and why are they so popular?

Back 22

HUMAN
Crushes vegetation and soil, reducing its ability to hold water and creating artificial run-off tracks increasing soil erosion
Recreation and military bases

Front 23

What human disturbance causes trampling of soil crusts and destruction of other animals habitats and food supplies?

Back 23

HUMAN
Overgrazing of livestock (have eaten lizard and desert tortoise dwellings and food)

Front 24

Introduction of what non-native species has caused issues in the Mojave/Sonora deserts? And how so?

Back 24

HUMAN
Domesticated donkeys have escaped, multiplied and caused a decline in bighorn sheep population.

Front 25

Name a non-native species of plant introduced in Mexico and Texas

Back 25

How are