Biodiversity Flashcards
define biodiversity
the variety of all the different species of organisms on earth, or within an ecosystem
describe the importance of a high biodiversity
ensures the stability of ecosystems by reducing the dependence of one species on another for food, shelter and the maintenance of the physical environment
state and explain some activities that are having a negative effect on biodiversity
the future of human species on Earth relies on us maintaining a good level of biodiversity. many human activities are reducing biodiversity and only recently have measures been taken to try and stop this reduction
- how we manage waste
- how we use land
- deforestation
- global warming
explain how waste management can effect biodiversity
rapid growth in the human population and an increase in the standard of living means that increasingly more resources are used and more waste in produced - unless waste and chemical materials are properly handled, more pollution will be caused
pollution can occur:
- in water, from sewage, fertiliser or toxic chemicals
- in air, from smoke and acidic gases
- on land, from landfill and from toxic chemicals
pollution kills plants and animals which can reduce biodiversity
state some of the biological consequences of global warming
- changes in weather which include flooding and drought
- melting of ice caps and an increase in sea levels
- habitat loss which can lead to species becoming extinct or critically endangered
describe some of the programmes scientists have put in place to reduce the negative effects of humans on ecosystems and biodiversity
- breeding programmes for endangered species
- protection and regeneration of rare habitats
- reintroduction of field margins and hedgerows in agricultural areas where farmers grow only one type of crop
- reduction of deforestation and carbon-dioxide emissions by some governments
- recycling resources rather than dumping waste in landfill
