7 Ecology Trilogy Flashcards
Define ‘biodiversity’.
A measure of the variety of all the different species of organisms within an ecosystem
What are two major problems from the exponential increase in human population?
More natural resources are used up, human’s produce more waste, which leadfs to a decrease in biodiversity
State four sources of land pollution.
Human sewage, household wastes, Industrial wastes, pesticides and herbicides in farming
How does land pollution affect biodiversity?
Less (clean) food available / Loss of habitat / Global warming leading to migration
How does human sewage contribute towards land pollution?
Harmful microbes and bad chemicals lead to spread of diseases on land
Explain how household and industrial wastes pollute land.
Take up space in landfills, Toxic or radioactive chemicals which poison soils and desroys habtitats.
State four sources of water pollution.
Untreated sewage, fertilisers, industrial wastes, pesticides and herbicides
Name the situation where a body of water has low oxygen levels, leading to marine organisms’ death.
Eutrophication
What causes eutrophication?
Fertilisers leaked into lakes, excess nutrients causes excessive plant growth, leading to an increase in competition/algae covering water surface (less light allowed into lake for water plants)
What is bioaccumulation?
Accumulation of chemicals in an organism
Name a chemical that gets built up in organisms in bioaccumulation.
Heavy metals/Fertiliers/Pesticides/Herbicides
Why is bioaccumulation bad?
Chemical concentration increases with each trophic level. This may reach fatal levels when they get to the top consumer.
Name a source of air pollution.
Combustion of fossil fuels
How is acid rain formed?
Acidic gases released from burning fossil fuels are dissolved in rain water
Name three acidic gases released from burning fossil fuels.
Carbon dioxide + sulphur dioxide + Nitric oxides
Give 3 effects of acid rain.
Kills plants; Destroys roots in soil; Acidifies bodies of water, killing marine organisms; Affects neighbouring countries; Acid snow kills young plants
What is global dimming?
Particulates made from combustion covers the atmosphere, reflecting sunlight so less light reaches the surface
What causes global dimming?
Particulates
Name two conditions that particulates can cause.
Global dimming + Smog
Explain how global dimming affect plant growth.
Cooling temperatures + Less sunlight –> Plants die due to insufficient photosynthesis
What is smog?
Particulates + Acidic gases
How does smog affect our health?
Inhaling particulates damages our lungs and cardiovascular systems
Name a toxic gas that is released from incomplete combustion.
Carbon monoxide
How does carbon monoxide cause an effect in our body?
Binds to haemoglobin irreversibly –> less Hb available to bind to oxygen –> suffocation
Suggest two ways to reduce air pollution.
Use low-sulphur fuels / Set strict emission levels / Use biofuels / Use exhaust gas filters in power stations / Catalytic converters in cars
Suggest two alternative power source that reduces air pollution.
Low-sulphur fuels / Biofuels / Renewable energy
What is meant by a ‘carbon sink’?
A place that stores carbon
Give two examples of good carbon sinks.
Forests + Peat bogs
Give a reason for deforestation.
Provide resources / Provide land for agriculture / Provide land to make biofuel
Give a reason for peat destruction.
Provide fuel/garden compost
Name two major impacts deforestation and peat destruction have on the environment and our biodiversity.
More CO2 release (more global warming and acid rain) + Decrease biodiversity
How does a decrease in biodiversity have a negative impact on humans?
Loss of potential new sources of food and medicine / Loss of resources
Name three major greenhouse gases.
Carbon dioxide + Methane + Water vapour
Suggest a source of carbon dioxide release.
Burning fossil fuels/Deforestation/Peat destruction etc.
Suggest a natural source of methane.
Growing rice and cattle
What is the greenhouse effect?
Thermal energy from the sun reaches the earth and some are reflected. Greenhouse gases absorb these reflected thermal energy and keep Earth warm
Any greenhouse effect is bad for the Earth. True or false? Explain.
FALSE (essential to keep earth warm, vital for life)
What causes global warming?
Too much greenhouse gases –> trap too much heat within atmosphere (enhance greenhouse effect)
State three effects of global warming.
Climate change / Ice caps melt / Warming seas dissolve less carbon dioxide
What biological consequences does climate change bring about?
Changes in migration pattenrs and species distribution
What biological consequences does melting of ice caps bring about?
Loss of habitat –> some animals die –> reduce biodiversity
State three methods to maintain biodiversity.
Breeding programmes / Protect and regenerate rare habitats / Grow hedgrows / Reduce deforestation and CO2 emission / Recycling
Why is important to protect and regenerate rare habitats?
To allow specifically adapted species to live in nature again (as they cannot live in “normal” conditions)
Give one impact on the environment by removing hedgrows.
Soil erosion / Reduce soil fertility
What problem is solved by recycling?
Avoiding landfills becoming full, which leads to pollution
Suggest a possible challenge in breeding programmes.
Animals do not reproduce easily or fast / Must avoid inbreeding / No natural habitats for them to return to
Suggest a possible challenge in reintroducing hedgerows.
Loss of land available for growing crops (less profit)
Suggest a possible challenge in buying lands to restrict deforestation.
Resistance from businesses to maintain profit or demand / Money needed
Suggest a possible challenge in reducing carbon dioxide emission.
Lack of scientific research on better engines or methods to reduce emission
