Sustaining Ecosystems

• Understand the concept of an ecosystem as being the interdependence of climate, soil, water, plants and animals. 

• Outline the global distribution of polar regions, coral reefs, grasslands, temperate forests, tropical forests and hot deserts. 

• Overview of the climate, flora and fauna within these ecosystems. 

• The distinctive characteristics of a tropical rainforest ecosystem, including the climate, nutrient cycle, soil profile and water cycle. 

• The interdependence of climate, soil, water, plants, animals and human activity in tropical rainforests 

• Explore the value of tropical rainforests through the study of their goods and services 

• Human impacts in the tropical rainforest from activities such as logging, mineral extraction, agriculture and tourism. 

A case study to illustrate attempts to sustainably manage an area of tropical rainforest, such as ecotourism, community programmes, biosphere reserves and sustainable forestry, at a local or regional scale. 

• Our case study is the ecotourism at a local scale - Samasati Nature Retreat, Costa Rica

• Outline the distinctive characteristics of Antarctica and the Arctic, including climate, features of the land and sea, flora and fauna. 

• The interdependence of climate, soil, water, plants, animals and human activity in either the Antarctic or the Arctic polar region. 

• Explore a range of impacts of human activity on either the Antarctic or the Arctic ecosystems, such as scientific research, indigenous people, tourism, fishing, whaling and mineral exploitation. 

A case study to examine one small-scale example of sustainable management in either the Antarctic or the Arctic such as sustainable tourism, conservation and whaling. 

• Our case study is sustainable tourism at Svalbard, Norway

A case study to examine one global example of sustainable management in either the Antarctic or the Arctic by investigating global actions such as Earth Summits or the Antarctic Treaty. 

• Our case study is the Antarctic Treaty