Biodiversity and the effect of human interactions on ecosystems. Flashcards
Define the term biodiversity
A measure of how many different species of organism live in the same area or community.
Explain the importance of high biodiversity and identify the most biodiverse regions of the world.
It ensures the stability of an ecosystem because it reduces the dependency of species on each other for food and shelter.
The most biodiverse regions are found in the tropics, such as those in Borneo an island which has high forests, rainforests, peat swamp forests and mangrove trees. The variety of habitats enable thousands of different species to live on the island.
What is the approximate population of the world and what are the consequences of an ever increasing world population
Currently 7 billion thought to be rising to 16 billion by the end of the century
Consequences are Food shortages Increase in communicable diseases Pollution Deforestation Global warming
Identify different types of pollution caused by humans
- Chemical pollution- factory waste, fertilizers, pesticides, oil spills
- Air pollution - waste gases from factories, particulates causing smog, sulphur dixide from fuel becoming acid rain, carbon monoxide from incomplete combustion, carbon dioxide and methane causing global warming
- Land pollution- Landfill sites where waste decomposes producing methane, toxic substances such as heavy metals from batteries
Describe methods to reduce the need for landfill and incineration of waste
the 3 R’s
RECYCLE- changing a waste product into something useful such as plant pots made from old tyres, glass plastics and paper can all be recycled as can many electronic goods
REUSE finding an alternative use such as using old coffee jars to store sugar o and flour or clothing swaps with friends
REDUCE- don’t buy things unless you need them, having 20 pairs of shoes is not necessary!
Explain what is meant by the term sustainable
An activity which can be carried out without damaging the environment.
The more people live in an area the less sustainable it is because of the impact we have on the environment. Building roads and cities as well as quarrying and mining all have a detrimental affect on the environment.
Describe a peat bog and explain the importance of protecting this habitat
An area of very wet soil with no trees, usually found in cooler regions with high rainfall such as Ireland.
The water is acidic and low in nutrients. Many species of moss grow in peat bogs and it is important for biodiversity as many of the species which grow there do not exist elsewhere.
Decomposition is very slow due to the acidity and lack of oxygen and peat is made of partially decomposed plants.
Peat has been used for years as compost and to improve the quality of soil.
It is the first stage in the formation of fossil fuels and has been burned as a fuel for many years.
There are many campaigns now to reduce the amount of peat use and protect the peat bogs so that biodiversity is maintained.
Explain the practice of deforestation and it’s effect on global warming and biodivrsity
Deforestation is the clearing of a forest which is then used for growing crops or urban use.
50% of the worlds rainforests have been cut down in the last 75 years.
Rainforests are called the lungs of the earth because they convert carbon dioxide in the atmosphere into oxygen for us to breathe.
The trees are often burned releasing more carbon dioxide into the air.
Increasing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere increases the greenhouse effect and therefore global warming.
Deforestation also reduces biodiversity, it is estimated that up to 100 species a day are becoming extinct.
What is global warming?
Increases in the amount of greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide water vapour and methane have warmed the earth because they absorb the infra red radiation given off by the earth rather than allowing to radiate away. This has caused a gradual increase in the temperature of the earth.
Describe the effects/consequences of global warming
DO NOT WRITE CLIMATE CHANGE IT IS TOO VAGUE
The rise in temperature of the earth is causing melting of the polar ice caps and the total area of sea ice is reducing
There are more instances of freak weather, storms, heavy rainfall, flash floods and heatwaves having an effect on homes, lives and crops.
If the sea ice continues to melt sea levels will rise and many coastal towns and cities will be lost.
Species are migrating into areas to which they are more suited. This will have a huge biological consequence on habitats.
Species which lose their habitats may become extinct reducing biodiversity
Scientists state that global warming is a threat to human food security.
Explain how breeding programmes can help maintain biodiversity
Carried out by zoos, breeding programmes manage the reproduction of animals to promote the widest gene pool. An example is the giant panda which are notoriously difficult to breed. There is a conflict in protecting biodiversity and keeping animals in captivity.
Define the term conservation
Protecting an ecosystem, speicies or organism from reduced number or extinction.
Describe efforts which can be made to improve conservation
- Protection and regeneration of rare habitats and species often by the formation of national parks and nature reserves to protect species
eg rhinos and elephants protected from poachers, great barrier reef in Australia now protected as a national park. - Reintroduction of hedgerows and field margins which are left uncultivated to improve biodiversity.
- Reducing landfill
- Reducing deforestation
- Recycling resources
