CH11 factors affecting biodiversity Flashcards
1
Q
What are the three main factors that decrease biodiversity
A
- deforestation
- agriculture
- climate change
2
Q
Deforestation
A
- the permanent removal of large areas of forest
- to provide wood for building and fuel, and to make space for agriculture
3
Q
Why does deforestation reduce biodiversity
A
- directly reduces trees present in an area
- if only one specific type of tree is felled, species diversity is reduced
- reduces number of animal species in an area as destroys their habitat
4
Q
Agriculture
A
- increasing amount of land has to be farmed to feed the growing population
- farmers aim to maximise food production
5
Q
Why does agriculture reduce biodiversity
A
- deforestation occurs
- hedgerows are removed which reduces plant species and destroys animal habitat
- pesticides destroys pest species
- herbicides are used to kill weeds
- monoculture, only one species is present
6
Q
Climate change
A
- earth warming
7
Q
Why does climate change reduce biodiversity
A
- melting of polar ice caps leads to extinction of organisms that live there
- rising sea levels could flood low-lying land , reducing habitats
- saltwater would flow further up rivers, reducing habitats of freshwater plants
- increased droughts, leading to drought resistant species becoming dominant
- insets lifecycles and populations will change
