Biodiversity+ Affects Of Humans On Ecosystems

Question 1

Define biodiversity

Answer 1

The variety of different species of organisms on earth or within an ecosystem

Question 2

Why is biodiversity important?

Answer 2

Ensuring ecosystems are stable because different species are interdependent

Provide air and food for humans

Question 3

What human actions are reducing biodiversity?

Answer 3

Waste production
Deforestation
Pollution
Global warming

Question 4

Why is our population increasing?

Answer 4

• better healthcare so people are living longer
• new medicines- don’t die from previous fatal diseases
• new farming techniques- produce more food to prevent people from dying from hunger
• some religions don’t allow use of contraception

Question 5

Why is the increase of population having a negative affect on the environment?

Answer 5

Demanding a higher standard of living

• better material goods- demand on resources
• demand for food increase- waste pollution from their production also increases

Question 6

What is pollution?

Answer 6

The introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse change

Question 7

What can pollution occur as?

Answer 7

• WATER- sewage, fertilizers and toxic chemicals- contaminating lakes, rivers and oceans
  >affecting the plants and animals that live there and rely on them for survival
• LAND- toxic chemicals used in farming, nuclear waste and household rubbish that we apply to buy and bury in the ground
  >affect the organisms that live and survive there
• AIR- smoke and harmful or acidic gases from burning and manufacturing processes contaminate the air, land and water via acid rain
  >affecting all those that rely on it for their survival

Question 8

How is acid rain formed?

Answer 8

Burning of fossil fuels in power stations and cars forms pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides
These gases dissolve in rain water to make sulfuric acid and nitric acid, which are strong acids, forming acid rain!,