4.7.3 The effect of human interaction on ecosystems

Question 1

Name four processes which humans carry out that reduces the land available to other animals , plants and microorganisms.

Answer 1

building
quarrying
dumping waste
farming

Question 2

Give three reasons why humans should not destroy peat bogs to make compost.

Answer 2

Decay of peat releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Reduces the area of the natural habitat for organisms that live there.

Reduces the diversity of the area as it reduces the number of animals, plants and microorganisms living there.

Question 3

What is a biofuel?

Answer 3

A fuel made by living organisms.

Question 4

Name two gases which are increasing in the atmosphere and contribute to global warming.

Answer 4

carbon dioxide

methane

Question 5

why have humans consumption of resources and waste production increased?

Answer 5

• rapid rise in human population

- increase in standard for living

Question 6

where does pollution occur

Answer 6

air

land

water

Question 7

state an example of water pollutants

Answer 7

sewage

fertiliser

chemicals

Question 8

how does eutrophication occur

Answer 8

fertilisers from farms pollute the water

causing excessive algae growth

depleting the oxygen in the water

causing other plants and animals to die.

dead plants are decompised by bacterial and the oxygen level decreases further.

Question 9

state an example of air pollutants

Answer 9

smoke

acidic gases

Question 10

state an example of land pollutants

Answer 10

landfill waste

chemicals

Question 11

why have peat bogs been destroyed>

Answer 11

to produce compost to increase food production

Question 12

why does the destruction of peat bogs greatly contribute to the greenhouse effect?

Answer 12

peat bogs are stores of carbon

and burning them relases a large volume of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere

Question 13

what is the grrenhouse effect?

Answer 13

greenhouse gases trap energy from the sun as heat in the atmosphere,
keeping the temperature on earth suitable for life.

Question 14

what is causing global warming?

Answer 14

the increase in level of greenhouse gases

causing the temperature on earth to increase

Question 15

state the consequences of global warming

Answer 15

rising sea levels

melting polar ice caps

changing weather patterns

migration of animals to find suitable habitats

tropical diseases becoming more common

extinction of species.