B20 Humans and biodiversity Flashcards
What is biodiversity?
The variety of all the different species of organisms on Earth or within an ecosystem
What is the advantage of high biodiversity?
Ensures stability of ecosystems by reducing dependence of one species on another
How are humans trying to maintain biodiversity?
- Breeding programmes
- Protection of rare habitats
- Recycling resources
- Reducing deforestation
Why are more resources being used and more waste produced by humans?
Rapid growth in population
Increase in living standard
Where does pollution occur?
Water
Air
Land
How are humans reducing land available for other organisms?
Building
Quarrying
Farming
What are the negative impacts of the destruction of peat bogs?
- Reduces available habitat
- Decreases biodiversity
- Burning peat bogs releases CO2
Why have humans carried out large-scale deforestation in tropical areas?
- Grow crops for biofuels
- Provide land for cattle and
rice
What is a peat bog?
Areas of partially decayed vegetation
What is food security?
Having enough food to feed a population
What are the biological factors threatening food security?
- Rapid population growth
- New pathogens
- Changing diets in developed countries
- Environmental changes
- Conflicts
- Cost of agricultural inputs
How can efficiency of food production in farming be produced?
- Limit movement of animals
- Control temperature
- Feed animals high protein feeds
- Give animals antibiotics
How can fishing be made more sustainable to keep fish stocks at a sufficient level?
Change net sizes to stop young fish from being caught
Controlled fishing quota
What is a fishing quota?
How many fish can be caught in a certain area
How can yield be increased in fish farms?
High protein fish food
Fish nursery to grow young
Anti-parasitic medicine
