B6.1.3 Loss of Biodiversity

Question 1

Importance of biodiversity

Answer 1

Species are interconnected and removal of one species can affect others (loss of food, shelter)

Question 2

How is biodiversity lost?

Answer 2

• deforestation
• monoculture
• agriculture
• hunting & fishing
• pollution

Question 3

Deforestation

Answer 3

Permanent removal of large areas of forest

Usually in order to provide wood for building and fuel, creating space for roads, buildings and agriculture

Question 4

Effects of deforestation

Answer 4

Reduces number of trees and supported animal species (food source/home destroyed)

Question 5

Agriculture

Answer 5

Increasing population = increasing land farmed

• remove hedgerows to use large machinery, reducing number of plants and destroying animal habitats
• pesticides used to kill pests/insects that eat crops or live on livestock, reducing number of pest species, reducing food source of other species, accumulate in food chains killing other animals
• herbicides kill plants growing in unwanted areas, reducing plant and animals species, source of food and shelter

Question 6

Monoculture

Answer 6

Areas of land used to grow single type of crop

Efficient for farmers but reduces biodiversity of plants and destroys animal habitats

Question 7

fishing

Answer 7

• overfishing: fish killed at high rate so population doesn’t have time to replenish = loss of some fish species
• bycatch: marine animals caught and killed unintentionally while fishing for other species

Question 8

Hunting

Answer 8

Decreases target population population = no food for other species, or unchecked plant growth which outcompetes other plants

Question 9

Pollution

Answer 9

Kills plants and animals, impacts habitats