Biodiversity: Nutrition and Malnutrition Flashcards
what is biodiversity?
- variety of all living oranisms on the surface of the Earth
- present within/between species, and within/between ecosystems
- higher # of species → healthier ecosystem → positive outcomes
what are ecosystems?
- community of organisms together in the physical environment
- 3 types - marine (saltwater), aquatic (freshwater), and terrestrial
- higher biodiversity → more resilient in face of disturbances
how do forests contribute to climate change?
- forests are a lifeline in curbing climate change
- they act as both a source, and a sink for carbon
- they absorb carbon, but also release carbon when cut down
how do wetlands contribute to climate change?
- store water from snow and rainfall, releasing it when things get dry
- without them our supply of freshwater would disappear
- serve as a food source and shelter for other species
- also excellent recreation places
effected by land use change, pollution, extreme drought
why is biodiversity important? (3 reasons)
- food - pollinators help crop production
- medicine - some drugs that we use are from plants and natural resources
- environmental wellbeing - biodiversity has a role in oxygen production
what does the water distribution on earth look like?
- 97% is saltwater (marine ecosystems - oceans and seas)
- 3% is freshwater (aquatic ecosystems - glaciers, lakes, reservoirs, ponds, rivers, streams, wetlands, and groundwater)
how has higher global temperature affected freshwater?
higher global temperature → higher evaporation rate → more drought in some regions, more rainfall in other places
- ½ of our global population relies on seasonal glacial melt of high-elevation snow and ice
- by 2030 water demand will be higher than available supply by 40%
what contributes to decreased freshwater production?
- food production and sustaining agriculture use majority of our freshwater
- powering homes
- drinking sources
- pollution
- overuse
- climate change
what contributes to loss of biodiversity?
- conversion of land for agriculture and animals husbandry are the primary driver of biodiversity loss, land degradation and water scarcity
- we have more demand than supply of food → more fertilizer, more pesticides used
how do agrochemicals impact biodiversity?
agrochemicals are fertilizers and pesticides
- alter nutrient cycles
- contaminate groundwater
- contribute to smog
- can cause direct toxicity
what percentage of land and freshwater is taken up by agriculture?
- half of the world’s habitable land is usedfor agriculture
- 70% of global freshwater withdrawals are used for agriculture
- 78% of global ocean and freshwater pollution is caused by agriculture
what percentage of global greenhouse gas emissions are caused by food production?
26%
what does the “best before” date mean?
- may also be referred to as “use by date”
- offers info regarding freshness and potential shelf-life of unopened food
- mandatory on pre-packaged foods that will keep fresh for 90 days or less
what does the expiration date mean?
- must appear on formulated liquid diets, foods for use in a very low-energy diet, meal replacements, nutritional supplements, and infant formulas
- once expiration date has passed, it may not have same nutrient content/value
- if the expiration date has passed, throw it away
what is the difference between malnutrition and undernutrition?
malnutrition - refers to any imbalance in nutrition, including deficiencies or excesses of nutrients
undernutrition - refers specifically to inadequate intake of nutrients, leading to deficiencies like stunted growth or weakened immunity
