b17 biodiversity and ecosystems

Question 1

what is biodiversity?

Answer 1

the variety of all the different species of organisms on earth, or within an ecosystem

Question 2

what does a great biodiversity ensure?

Answer 2

a great biodiversity ensures the stability of ecosystems by reducing the dependence of one species on another for food, shelter and the maintenance of the physical environment.

Question 3

a great biodiversity ensures the stability of ecosystems by?

Answer 3

reducing the dependence of one species on another for food, shelter and the maintenance of the physical environment.

Question 4

what does the future of the human species on earth rely on?

Answer 4

it relies on us maintaining a good level of biodiversity

Question 5

what is happening to many human activities?

Answer 5

many human activities are reducing biodiversity and only recently have measures been taken to try to stop this reduction.

Question 6

what does rapid growth in the human population and an increase in the standard of living mean?

Answer 6

that increasingly more resources are used and more waste is produced.

Question 7

what must happen to prevent more pollution?

Answer 7

waste and chemical materials need to be properly handled

Question 8

where can pollution occur?

Answer 8

-in water from sewage,fertiliser or toxic chemicals
-in air, from smoke or acidic gases
-on land, from landfil and toxic chemicals

Question 9

what does pollution do and what can this effect?

Answer 9

pollution kills plants and animals which can reduce biodiversity

Question 10

how do humans reduce the amount of land available for other animals and plants?

Answer 10

by building,quarrying,farming and dumping waste

Question 11

what does the destruction of pea bogs, and other areas of peat produce?

Answer 11

garden compost,reduces the area of this habitat and thus the variety of different animals,plants and microorganism species that live there (biodiversity)

Question 12

what does the decay or burning of the peat release?

Answer 12

carbon dioxide into the atmosphere

Question 13

what is deforestation?

Answer 13

cutting down trees from an area

Question 14

what are two reasons why large-scale deforestation in tropical areas has occurred to?

Answer 14

-provide land for cattle and rice fields
-grow crops for biofuels

Question 15

give one consequence of deforestation

Answer 15

-if we get rid of the trees, they will no longer photosynthesis and absorb co2 from the atmosphere. This means that more co2 will be left in the atmosphere where it can cause global warming

Question 16

one way that forests are cleared is by burning them. why is this an issue?

Answer 16

as trees burn they release all the carbon they contained as carbon dioxde. This can cause huge fumes of smoke which can suffocate animals and cause huge fumes of smoke.
-contributes to global warming

Question 17

whats another impact of deforestation?(biodiversity)

Answer 17

that habitat (tree) which had a high level of biodiversity is destroyed. reduces the level of biodiversity, can lead to entire species extinction

Question 18

Explain how draining peat bogs contributes to global warming.

Answer 18

The draining of water allows air (and oxygen) to return to the soil

This allows microorganisms to carry out aerobic respiration and decay the organic matter

This releases CO2 which acts as a greenhouse gas, and contributes to global warming

Question 19

Levels of what gases are increasing and what can this contribute to?

Answer 19

-levels of carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere are increasing and contribute to global warming

Question 20

scientists are concerned citizens have put in place programme to?

Answer 20

reduce the negative effects of humans on ecosystems and biodiversity

Question 21

whats one way to reduce the negative effects of human effects on ecosystems and biodiversity?

Answer 21

breeding programmes for endangered species

Question 22

ways to reduce the negative effects of human effects on ecosystems and biodiversity
(protection)

Answer 22

protection and regeneration of rare habitats

Question 23

ways to reduce the negative effects of human effects on ecosystems and biodiversity
(reintroduction)

Answer 23

reintroduction of field margins and hedgerows in agricultural areas where farmers grow only one type of crop

Question 24

ways to reduce the negative effects of human effects on ecosystems and biodiversity
(deforestation)

Answer 24

reduction of deforestation and carbon dioxide emissions by some governments

Question 25

ways to reduce the negative effects of human effects on ecosystems and biodiversity
(recycling)

Answer 25

recycling resources rather than dumping waste in landfill