B6.1.6 - Monitoring Biodiversity Flashcards
If an area is polluted, will there be a lot of organisms?
No
What are indicator species?
Species that can be used to identify environmental quality
Give an example of a substance which contributed to air pollution.
Sulfur dioxide
What does sulfur dioxide lead to?
Acid rain
How is sulfur dioxide released into the atmosphere?
It is released during the combustion of fossil fuels
What species is used as an indicator species for air pollution?
Lichen
Why do lichens rely on air quality so much?
They have no roots so they rely on nutrients from the air
If there are not many lichens present within an area, how polluted is the area?
Highly polluted
What is water pollution caused by?
The discharge of harmful substances into rivers, lakes and seas
Why can some organisms survive in highly polluted water?
They do not require as much oxygen to survive
Give an example of an organism which can survive high levels of water pollution.
Sludge worm