3.6 - Human Impact on The Environment

Question 1

What is agricultural exploitation?

Answer 1

The increase in efficiency and intensity of food production in order to meet growing demands

Question 2

What is the meaning of conservation?

Answer 2

The maintenance of ecosystems and biodiversity by humans in order to preserve the Earth’s resources. The conservation of species requires the preservation of gene pools.

Question 3

What is deforestation?

Answer 3

The removal of trees from land which is subsequently used to grow crops or provide space for livestock

Question 4

Define the term endangered

Answer 4

Describes a species that due to a loss of habitat or rapid decrease in population numbers is at risk of extinction

Question 5

What is extinction?

Answer 5

The death of all living members of a species

Question 6

What is fish farming?

Answer 6

The breeding of fish commercially in enclosures for food to combat overfishing

Question 7

Explain what a gene pool is

Answer 7

All of the different versions of genes (alleles) in the individuals that make up a population

Question 8

What is overfishing?

Answer 8

The excessive fishing of an area at a rate which exceeds potential replenishment of the species

Question 9

What are planetary boundaries?

Answer 9

A set of nine limits proposed by a group of environmental and Earth system species within which human activity can operate without risk or irreversible damage to the planet