B6 Biodiversity Flashcards
Biodiversity is a combination of three different factors.
List the three factors.
Diversity of living organisms in a particular area
Diversity of different genes and alleles in a particular area
Diversity of different ecosystems in a particular area
Why is a high level of biodiversity good?
It means that if the environment changes in some way, there’s a good chance that at least some species and ecosystems will be able to survive.
It also means humans can get the most out of the worlds resources.
The impact humans have on ecosystems has changed a lot in the last couple of centuries. List 3 things this is due to
Increasing human population
Industrialisation
Globalisation
How has human impact on ecosystems changed in the last couple of centuries? Increasing human population
The population has grown hugely over the last 200 years and continues to rise.
More people on the plant means we need to take up more land and use more resources in order to survive.
How has human impact on ecosystems changed in the last couple of centuries? Industrialisation
Due to improvements in technology and the need for more goods and services, there is much more industry on the plant.
This means we are using more raw materials (eg oil, wood) and more energy to manufacture goods.
It also means we are creating more waste products, which can lead to more pollution.
How has human impact on ecosystems changed in the last couple of centuries? Globalisation
As communication and transport have improved, different countries have become more connected with each other.
This means countries are able to buy and sell products from each other more easily and the same companies are able to operate in several different countries.
How does habitat destruction damage or destroy ecosystems and reduce biodiversity?
Human activities reduce the amount of land available to other animals and plants (farming, building, quarrying).
This can reduce biodiversity and destroy habitats of other organisms.
What does destruction of habitat by human activity, mean for other organisms?
Species may die or be forced to migrate, reducing biodiversity.
Explain how clearing a woodland for farmland reduces biodiversity?
It can result in the reduction in the number of tree species, so reducing biodiversity.
How does waste damage or destroy ecosystems and reduce biodiversity?
The increasing population means we’re producing more waste, which can damage ecosystems in many ways.
Explain how sewage and toxic chemicals from industry and agriculture can damage ecosystems.
Can pollute lakes, rivers and oceans, affecting the plants and animals that rely on them for survival.
How does sharing resources damage or destroy ecosystems and reduce biodiversity?
Increasing globalisation means that resources can be shared between many countries.This can result in loss of biodiversity
Explain how a large company selling its best seeds global can reduce biodiversity .
If the best varieties of seeds are sold to farmers in many different countries, this reduces the number of seed varieties used for crops globally.
This reduce global biodiversity
How can populations adapt to changes in the environment?
Through evolution by natural selection
Complete the sentence.
Many human impacts on ecosystems take place so quickly that there is not enough time for organisms to ……….
Adapt
