biodiversity pmt qp2

Question 1

why are the number of threatened species increasing

Answer 1

-loss of habitat
-climate change
-increased human population

Question 2

why are number of species identified increasing

Answer 2

-more sampling/ exploration
-improved identification

Question 3

what are current day ways of improving productivity in sheep

Answer 3

-use of antibiotics
-use of pesticides/ insecticides/ fungicides
-cloning/ genetic modification
-hormones/ vaccines

Question 4

suggest how organic fertilisers improve the crop yield of plants

Answer 4

-organic fertilisers are broken down by decomposers/ bacteria/ fungi
-adds named minerals to the soil
-nitrate/ phosphate/ potassium
-nitrate for protein synthesis
-lack of minerals/ nutrients/ions is a limiting factor
-less risk of soil erosion

Question 5

suggest how the excessive use of inorganic fertilisers on farmland can cause a reduction in its biodiversity

Answer 5

• fertiliser may only promote the growth of one/ few plant species.
  -other plant species outcompeted as a result of competition from crop species
  -disruption of food chains
  -reduction in soil quality

Question 6

explain why a reduction in biodiversity may present problems for agriculture in the future

Answer 6

-loss of genetic diversity/ variation
-environmental/ agricultural requirements may change in the future
-lost genes/ alleles may be useful
-fewer pollinators
-loss of (pest) predators