biodiversity and ecosystems Flashcards

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1
Q

what is biodiversity

A

biodiversity = a measure of the variety of all the different species of organisms

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2
Q

why is biodiversity good

A

a high biodiversity ensures the stability of ecosystems –> reduces interdependence

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3
Q

name 4 effects of the increase of the human population

A

effects of increase in human population:

land is used for houses, shops, industrial sites, roads –> destroy habitats and reduces biodiversity

billions of acres are used for farming –> natural animal and plant populations are destroyed

vast areas are used for quarries to obtain rocks and metal ores, reducing land available for other organisms

waste produced by humans pollutes the environment –> processing it takes up land –> affects biodiversity

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4
Q

what can happen if our waste is not handled properly

A

our waste (if not handled properly) can pollute waters with sewage, fertilisers and toxic chemicals

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5
Q

how can farming increase pollution

A

pollution is a side effects of farming –> herbicides and pesticides are poisonous and when sprayed on crops, go through soil into rivers and lakes, making their way into food chains

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6
Q

what is bioaccumulation

A

a dangerous amount of poison accumulating in predators (bioaccumulation)

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7
Q

how can water gain high level of nitrates and what happens if it does

A

waters gain a high level of nitrates from fertilisers being washed into them –> stimulates growth of algae and other water plants –> so some plants will die due to high competition for resources

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8
Q

what is a major source of air pollution

A

a major source of air pollution is burning fossil fuels

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9
Q

what happens if sulphur impurities are burned

A

fossil fuels contain sulfur impurities –> when burnt, sulfur dioxide is released –> this dissolves in rainwater to make acid rain

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10
Q

what are the effects of acid rain

A

acid rain directly damages the environment:
1.on trees it can kill leaves, buds, flowers and fruit
2. if it soaks into soil, it can destroy the roots
3. as it falls into lakes, rivers and streams, the water gets more acidic
4. buildings made out of limestone get eroded

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11
Q

what happens to plants and animals if acid concentration gets too high

A

if the concentration of acid gets too high, animals and plants can’t survive

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12
Q

give 4 ways which sulphur dioxide levels can be reduced

A

to reduce the levels of sulfur dioxide:
low sulfur petrol and diesel are used
catalytic converters
strict emmission levels are set
power plants have chimneys that clean the flue gases before they are released

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13
Q

what does smoke pollution contribute to

A

smoke pollution contributes to global dimming - the particles of soot reflect light away

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14
Q

what happens if smoke particles enter the lungs

A

the particles can get into the body and damage the lungs and cardiovascular system

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15
Q

what are 3 of the main reasons for deforestation

A

the main reasons for deforestation:

to grow crops that can be used to make biofuel (sugarcane/maize)

to grow staple foods (rice) or ingredients for cheap food (palm oil)

to rear more cattle (for the beef market)

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16
Q

what are 4 effects of deforestation

A

Effects of deforestation:
destroys habitats –> reduces biodiversity
burning them releases co2 from combustion
reduces the rate at which co2 is absorbed from the atmosphere - we lose a vital co2 sink
as dead vegetation decomposes, decomposers take in more o2 as they respire and release more co2

17
Q

what is peat

A

peat = made up of plant material that cannot decay completely due to conditions being acidic and insufficient o2
-peat lands and peat bogs are a massive carbon store

18
Q

What are the uses of peat

A

peat is burnt as fuel and is also added to soil to improve conditions for seed germination and increased food production

19
Q

is peat renewable or non renewable and why

A

peat forms very slowly –> it’s being destroyed faster than it’s made –> non-renewable

20
Q

what is global warming

A

global warming = the average temperature of the earth getting warme

21
Q

what are the biological consequences of global warming

A

Biological consequences of global warming:
loss of habitat –> low-lying land will be flooded
sea levels rising
changes in migration patterns - seasons may change
reduced biodiversity - as climate changes, species that can’t cope and survive will become extinct

22
Q
A