Earth's Resources : Biosphere

Earth's Resources : Biosphere - Key SQA Definitions

The Biosphere 

The Biosphere consists of all of the the organic (living) material that is present on the Earth. This incudes the organic material below the surface deep in the soil, as well as land and aquatic life, as well as organic material within the atmosphere. The Biosphere includes the all organic material, from the largest animals such as the Blue Whale, to the smallest single-celled organisms such as bacteria. 

Humans (which also form part of the Biosphere) ustilise large parts of the Biosphere to gain the nutrients required for life, to build structures or other products and to assist them in their daily lives. 

Food Production

Humans are Omnivores, eating both meat and animal products to gain the nutrients and energy vital for life. 

Construction Materials

Wood as well as grasses such as straw or bamboo have been used for thousands of years as building materials to provide shelter from the elements, or to build defensive structures for protection from animals or other humans. 

Assistance

Animals have been used for thousands of year to assist humans in a variety of ways. This is either in the form of domesticating animals for food production (chickens), protection (dogs), transportation (horses) or for carrying heavy loads or equipment (oxen).

Terrestrial (Land-based) Resources

Domesticated Animals : Cattle

Animal Domestication is the process of intentional adapting of an animal for human use. A key example of animal domestication in Scotland is Cattle. Cattle have been selectively bred for thousands of years to increase muscle mass (male cattle) for meat production or milk productivity (female cattle) for dairy production. 

In Scotland, the livestock industry supports just under 35,000 jobs and contributes £1.6 billion per year to the Scottish economy.

Hunted Animals : Red Deer

The hunting of deer has gone on for thousands of years in Scotland. Wild Deer were hunted for their meat, their hides (skin & fur) as well as their antlers. Whilst some deer in Scotland is now farmed, the actual collection of venison (deer meat) though hunting is still the most common method of venison collection (in 2018,  70 tonnes of  farmed venison, 3,500 tonnes wild venison). Wild hunting of deer in Scotland is closely regulated by Nature.Scot, the agency responsible for issuing permits for deer stalking (hunting). 

In Scotland, the Deer industry supports around 2,500 jobs and contributes £100 million to the Scottish economy.

Gamekeeper

You would take care of the land used for shooting and fishing. You’d organise recreational shooting, deer stalking and angling for clients.

You would make sure there is enough game such as deer, and birds like pheasant, partridge and grouse for clients to shoot. You would also make sure that rivers are well-stocked with fish for angling.You may also be responsible for developing plans for managing the game and habitat on a country estate. Depending on the size of the estate, you may also need to complete related paperwork and administration tasks.

You’ll need to be happy working on your own for long periods of time, and in remote areas, outdoors in all weather. Working with firearms can be dangerous; you will require a good knowledge of health and safety and a mature attitude.

Modern Gamekeeping

What is a Gamekeeper

A Career as a Gamekeeper

Salary : £14,000 to £25,000

Gamekeeper Working Hours : As a gamekeeper you would usually work flexible hours which would depend on the season and the jobs that needed doing. You may work long, often irregular hours, usually with early starts, late finishes and weekend work.

Typical Entry Requirements : Qualifications at SCQF level 4/5 and/or a relevant Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or a Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) in gamekeeping/countryside-centred subjects, or a work-based qualifications such as a Scottish Vocational Qualification in Game and Wildlife Management (SCQF level 5)

Skills Required : 

Agricultural Crops : Barley 

The production of Agricultural crops (also know as arable farming) is the production of plant material for human consumption. Nearly three-quarters of crops grown in Scotland  (71% by area)  is Barley (a domesticated form of grass). Barley is used as a raw ingredient in Whisky making and in producing animal feed.  

In Scotland, the farming industry supports approximately 67,000 jobs and contributes £2.9 billion per year to the Scottish economy.

Forestry : Scots Pine & Sitka Spruce 

 In 2013-14 alone, 18.1 million trees were planted in Scotland for forestry purposes. The primary use of forestry in Scotland is to gather wood for use as Timber for a wide range of applications. These include the construction industry, to make traditional ship's masts, pit-props, furniture, chipboard, boxes, fences, telegraph poles and paper pulp. 

In Scotland, the forestry industry supports around 25,000 jobs and contributes £954 million to the Scottish economy.

Non-native Species : Sitka Spruce

Most commonly planted species for forestry in Scotland, making up 61% (11 million trees) of all trees planted in 2013-14. 

Native Species : Scots Pine

Most commonly planted native species for forestry in Scotland, making up 6.1% (1.1 million trees) of the total trees planted in 2013-14. 

Forestry Worker

Forestry plays an important part in the nature-based sector. The Scottish Government has set ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions, including creating 18,000 hectares of woodland a year by 2024. This is helping to support Scotland's transition to net zero by 2045.

In this role, you'd carry out practical tasks in forests and woodlands to help care for and protect the environment. You’d plant, prune, and fell trees. You’d also protect trees from pests and disease. You’d need to be safety-conscious, responsible and may need a good head for heights. 

Other tasks include keeping recreational sites and woodland areas fit for public use. This may involve putting up fences, gates, footpath signs and public information notices. You may be responsible for checking and looking after basic fire-fighting equipment near wooded areas. Your work could involve helping to tackle forest fires if necessary.

Working with Scottish Forestry

Forestry Apprenticeships

A Career as a Forestry Worker

Salary : £15,000 to £27,000

Forestry Working Hours : As a forest worker you'll usually work 37 hours a week, Monday to Friday. You may need to do some overtime and weekend work during busy periods. Part-time and casual work is possible.

Typical Entry Rrequirements : A good general education is normally required for this role and many employers look for National 4s / National 5s (SCQF level 4/5). A Higher National Certificate in Forestry (SCQF level 7) would be useful. 

A Modern Apprenticeship is also available through the Forestry Commission. For a Modern Apprenticeship you should have National 5 (SCQF level 5) Maths and English.

Skills Required : 

Aquatic (Water-based) Resources

Oceanic Plant : Seaweed

Seaweeds are harvested for their alginates (gel-like chemicals). These are used in foods, textiles and pharmaceuticals. There is also currently ongoing research into the use of seaweed as a biofuel source.

In Scotland, the the Seaweed industry supports around 60 jobs and contributes £510,000 to the Scottish economy at present, but is currently expanding rapidly with some estimates of a net worth of £70 million by 2040. 

Oceanic Animal : Mackerel

Mackerel is the most commonly caught fish in Scottish waters, making up 37% (185 thousand tonnes in 2021) of the total fish caught. However, recent studies have shown that Scottish Mackerel are subject to overfishing and the volume will need to be reduced to a more sustainable level to prevent a population crash.

In Scotland, the the Fishing industry supports around 5,000 jobs and contributes £405 million to the Scottish economy.

Oceanic Crustacean : Langoustine

Nephrops Novegicus, commonly known as Langoustine, is the most commonly caught shellfish within Scotland, with 22,500 tonnes caught in 2021 alone. The majority of Langoustine caught in Scotland are used to make Scampi (usually for export), but a significant and increasing proportion is sold whole to seafood restaurants globally. 

In Scotland, the the Shellfish industry supports around 8,000 jobs and contributes £155,000 to the Scottish economy.

Freshwater Animal : Rainbow Trout

Rainbow Trout is a freshwater fish that is commonly farmed in Scotland, with 8,100 tonnes farmed in 2021 alone. The majority of Trout is farmed in freshwater tanks, ponds, raceways or pens but a limited amount is also farmed in sea loch pens. This is then sold locally or exported to countries around the world, either as whole or process fish products.

In Scotland, the the Trout industry supports around 150 jobs and contributes £30 million to the Scottish economy.

Fishing Vessel Skipper

You would move onto this role after working as a deckhand. You would be in charge of a boat that catches fish at sea. You’d plan voyages, navigate to fishing grounds, work on deck and sell the catch to agents when back on shore. 

As a skipper, you’d use your knowledge of the sea and weather patterns to plan fishing voyages. You’d also navigate the vessel. An understanding of electronics and basic engineering will help you safely operate and maintain the equipment. Most modern vessels use electronic systems for navigation, to locate fish and monitor the onboard storage conditions.

It’s a responsible job. The crew will rely on you to keep them and the boat safe. You will be expected to remain calm under pressure and make quick decisions in emergency situations. First aid skills will be valuable. You’d also need to make sure that the fishing trips are profitable. You’d work closely with onshore agents to land and sell the catch. 

Being a Deckhand

A Day in the Life of a Skipper

A Career as a Fishing Vessel Skipper

Salary : £20,000 to £60,000

Skipper Working Hours : Your working hours would vary according to which fishing areas you work in, but would usually be long and include shifts and sharing the 'watches'.

Typical Entry Requirements : There are no set qualifications for this role. However, you'll need at least 18 months experience as a deckhand before applying to be a skipper. All skippers need to hold a Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Certificate of Competency. 

Skills Required : 

Energy from Biological Sources : Biomass

One of the key development steps in the development of Humans was the ability to create and use Fire. Fire provides warmth, protection and the ability to cook food, as well as communicate over long distances. Naturally occurring combustible materials (usually plant materials)  are known as 'Biomass' energy sources.

Traditionally, the main sources of biomass for burning are:-

Wood

Wood or its processed form - Charcoal (wood that has been heated without oxygen to increase its carbon content) is still the most used fuel source globally for preparing food.  

Wood is usually classed as a sustainable resource, however this depend on local factors, with some areas suffering deforestation or conflict due to the requirements for firewood. 

Peat

Peat is a spongy material made of decaying plant matter that forms in waterlogged areas such as bogs or marshes under anerobic conditions. It is the first stage in coal formation and was used extensively across the Scottish Highlands and Islands as a fuel source. It is still used within the Whiskey industry to provide a 'smoky' flavour to the whiskey. 

Peat is classed as non-renewable as it only accumulates at a rate of about 1mm per year, so it use is far outstripping formation. 

The burning of biomass as an energy source contributes to climate change by the emission of carbon dioxide into the air as a waste product of the combustion process. It also increases air pollution due to the incomplete combustion of carbon causing the formation of soot particles in the air:-

Energy from Biological Sources : Biofuels

Biofuels are fuels that have been made from plant material, usually requiring a large amount of processing to make them. 

The two types of Biofuels shown below are the most commonly used Biofuels globbally:-

Biodiesel 

Biodiesel is produced by combining vegetable oil or animal fat with an alcohol. The oils most commonly used to make biodiesel are rapeseed, soy, coconut or palm oils. 

In Scotland, alomost all of the oil used to make biodiesel comes from recycled waste oil from the catering industry. 

The biodiesel that is procduced is usually mixed with standard diesel for use, reducing the carbon footprint of diesel cars. 

Bioethanol

Bioethanol is produced by fermenting sugars from plant materials using microorganisms to break down the complex sugars into ethanol. 

The most commonly used source of sugar for bioethanol production is corn (51% of production) or sugar cane (19% of production). 

In Scotland, all petrol sold for transportation contains 10% bioethanol in the petrol mix, again reducing the carbon footprint of transportation. 

Biotechnologist

You would use your biology knowledge to come up with products and processes that improve our health, our food and our world. 

Your work would depend on your specific field. In medical biotechnology and biotherapeutics you might develop treatments for the genetic causes of disease or produce medicines using techniques such as cell culture and genetic modification. In environmental biotechnology you might develop micro-organisms and plants to clean polluted land and water or create renewable sources of energy.

Why study biotechnology?

A Day in the Life of a Biotechnologist

A Career as a Biotechnologist

Salary : £19,000 to £55,000

Biotechnologist Working Hours : You would usually work between 35 and 40 hours a week. This may include shifts, nights and weekends because many of the processes involved in research and industry need continuous monitoring.

Typical Entry Requirements : A degree (SCQF level 9/10) in a subject such as biotechnologies, biological science, microbiology, or chemistry. Most undergraduate courses ask for at least four Highers at B or above (SCQF level 6). Some universities may require AABB (first sitting) for entry. The University of Dundee offers a BSc Life Sciences course with only requires two Highers at B including Biology or Chemistry and one other subject; this course has been developed for those with high academic potential who experienced disadvantage. 

Skills Required : 

Energy from Biological Sources : Biogas

Biogas is the flammeable gas methane, created by the anerobic digestion of animal waste or plant remains:-

When microogranisms digest the waste in the absence of oxygen, methane gas is produced, which is collected and used in place of (or mixed with) natural gas supplies:-

Energy production in Scotland

The embedded website below shows a live dataset of the current energy generation sources by type in Scotland:-