B18 Biodiversity and Ecosystems Flashcards
What is biodiversity?
The variety of the different species on earth or within an ecosystem.
What is the importance of biodiversity?
Biodiversity is important because a high biodiversity reduces dependency among different species and maintain the stability in an ecosystem. If there are relatively few species in an ecosystem and one is removed, this can have a dramatic effect on other species.
How does biodiversity ensure the stability of an ecosystem?
It reduces the dependence on particular species for resources eg. food and shelter, so that even if one species is removed other species can still survive.
What is meant by extinction?
It is when there are none of the species left
Why is it important to prevent extinction?
There is a duty to preserve species for future generations. In addition, it is important because they may provide useful substances for humans and their extinction can have an impact on other species in the food chain.
Why have humans’ consumption of resources and waste production increased?
- Rapid rise in human population
- Increase in standard of living
State an example of water pollutants.
Sewage
Fertiliser
Chemicals
Mention a major source of air pollution
Burning fossil fuel
How does acid rain form?
When fuels burn, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides may be produced. They may dissolve in water and cause acid rain.
What are the effect of acid rain?
- damage trees
- lower Ph of rivers and lakes killing organisms living in them
- react with rocks and metals causing them to change appearance
What is smoke pollution and what are its effects?
Smoke pollution causes an increase in the number of tiny solid particles, called particulates, in the air. These particles reflect sunlight so less light hits the surface of earth. Smoke pollution also directly damages human health. In fact the tiny particles are breathes in damaging the lungs and the cardiovascular system.
What is smog?
It forms a haze of small particles and acidic gases that can be seen in many cities
