7. People and the Biosphere: Humans and the Biosphere

Question 1

What is the biosphere

Answer 1

Includes all parts of the earth that are occupied by living organisms

Question 2

Resources produced by the biosphere

Answer 2

Food

Medicine

Building materials

Fuel

Question 3

Food as a resource from the biosphere

Answer 3

Indigenous people get all food directly from plants and animals - could be growing fruits or hunting animals

Question 4

Medicine as a resource from the biosphere

Answer 4

Medicines can provide lots of different medicines to keep people healthy - plant species in tropical forests have produced around 7000 drugs

Question 5

Building materials as a resource from the biosphere

Answer 5

Trees and plants - used for building materials - sap from tree can be used as glue or to make buildings waterproof

Question 6

Fuel as a resource from the biosphere

Answer 6

Indigenous people - rely on flora and fauna for fuel to cook and keep warm - wood, dries grass, moss, dried animal dung is burnt for fuel
Indigenous people in biome with low vegetation use animal fat

Question 7

How do humans exploit the biosphere

Answer 7

Energy

Water

Minerals

Question 8

Exploiting the biosphere for energy

Answer 8

Demand for energy is constantly rising as population rises - large areas of land are cut down to clear land for growing crops - used to make biofuels, make way for coal mines or power station - tropical forest - flooded by HEP dams
Drilling for oil and gas in tundra - damaging the biosphere - pipe lines melting the permafrost

Question 9

Exploiting the biosphere for water

Answer 9

Demand for water increasing - rising population - water is used for washing, irrigating farmlands. Water resources can be over exploited - happening in arid lakes - causes damage to biosphere as plants and animals dont have enough water to survive

Question 10

Exploiting the biosphere for minerals

Answer 10

Minerals - gold and iron - used in building scientific instruments , electrical appliances etc - demand is rising
Minerals extracted via mining - mines in tropical forests are responsible for lots of deforestation - toxic chemicals - washed into streams and rivers - killing wildlife