Biology - C17 - Biodiversity And Ecosystems Flashcards
What is biodiversity
The variety of all the different species of organisms on Earth, or within an organism.
What does high biodiversity ensure?
The stability of ecosystems by reducing the dependence of one species on another food, shelter, and the maintenance of the physical environment
What do you humans reduce land availability for?
Other animals, and plants by building, quarrying, farming and dumping waste
What does the future of human species rely on?
Us maintaining a good level of biodiversity as Many human activities are reducing biodiversity
What has the rapid growth of the human population meant in terms of resources?
They are produced more and used and more waste is also produced a lot from it
What will happen if waste and chemical materials aren’t properly handled?
More pollution will be caused
Name a variety of ways pollution can be caused?
Landfill, toxic chemicals (pesticides and herbicides) - washed from land to water
Where can it occur?
Water-fromsewers, fertilisers or toxic chemicals
What does pollution do?
It kills plants and animals reducing biodiversity
How does air pollution occur?
From smoke and acidic gases
What does air pollution do?
Kills plants and animals, reducing biodiversity
What has been a product of deforestation in tropical areas?
Provide land for cattle and for rice fields to grow crops for biofuels
What does the destruction of peat bogs and other areas of peat do?
Reduces the area of the habitat and its biodiversity
What does the burning or decay of peat do?
Release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
What do high levels of carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere do?
Contribute to global warming
