Chapter 18 biodiverisity Flashcards
what is biodiversity
the variety of species on the earth or within an ecosystem
why is high biodiversity important
as it makes sure the ecosystem is stable as different species depend on each other for food and shelter and maintain the right physical environment for each other
what is reducing biodiversity
- deforestation
- global warming
- waster production
what is increasing population
modern medicine and farming methods as it is causing less people to die
how does an increasing population effect the environment
- it puts pressure on the environment as we take resources from it to survive
- means there is more for a higher standard of living and luxuries to improve QOL → increases use of energy and raw materials during manufacturing processes to meet these demands so more resources are taken from the environment more quickly than they are replaced
How can waste effect biodiversity
Sewage and toxic chemicals from industries can pollute rives affecting animals and plants that rely on it for survival
- chemicals used on land and for farming can be washed into the water affecting animals and plants
- nuclear waste buried underground and household waste in landfill sites can affect biodiversity
- smoke and acidic gases released into the atmosphere can pollute air
What is the temperature of the earth a balance between
- The energy from the sun and the energy it radiates back into space
How do greenhouse gases work
They act as an insulating layer by absorbing energy the earth radiates into space and re-radiates in all directions increasing the temp of the earth
What would happen is there wasn’t a greenhouse effect
Nights would be very cold as there wouldn’t be anything to keep the energy y in
Examples of greenhouses
Methane, carbon dioxide, water vapour and nitrous oxide
Consequences of greenhouse gases
- high temp → sea water will expand + ice caps will melt → rise sea levels → flooding habitats and low lying areas
- high temp → amount of rainfall will change in different areas
- biodiversity ↓ as some species are unable to survive due to changes of The Climate causing them to become extinct
Human use of land
-building
- quarrying
- dumping waste
- farming
Cons of human use land
- Less land available for organisms
What is deforestation
The cutting down of forests
Why is deforestation used
- To clear land for farming
- grow crops so biofuels based on ethanol can be produced
Cons of deforestation
- Less carbon dioxide is taken in: - less plants and trees means dioxie in atmosphere is removed by photosynthesis - less trees lock up carbon dioxide they absorb photosynthesis
- more Carbon dioxide is added into the atmosphere: - Carbon dioxide is released when trees are burnt to clear land - microorganisms feed on bits of dead wood, releasing carbon dioxide as their waste product when respiring
- less biodiversity as habitats are destroyed so many species are in danger of becoming extinct
What are boys
Areas of and that are acidic and waterlogged
What happens to dead plants that live in bogs
They don’t fully decay as the isn’t enough oxygen
So the partly rotted plants build up to form a peat and carbon dioxide is stared in the peats instead of being released
Why are peat bugs drained
- So that the area can be used as farmland
- to be sold to gardeners to be used as compost
- to be cut up and drained to be used as fuel
Cons of draining peat bogs
- When its drained it comes into contact with air and microorganisms start to decompose it, which release Carbon dioxide they respire
- carbon dioxide is released when its burned as a fuel
- destroying bogs destroys habitats of animals, plants and microorganisms reducing biodiversity
Why and who has set up programmes
- They have been set up by concerned citizens and scientists to minimise damage by human activity to ecosystems and biodiversity
Why have breeding programmes been set up
- to prevent endangered species from becoming extinct
What are breading programmes
- Programmes where animals are bred in captivity to make sure that species survive if they die out in the wild
How do breeding programmes boost and re-establish a dying population in the wild
- Individuals are sent into the wild to re-establish and boost a population
What do protection and regeneration of rare habitats programmes do
- They protect and regenerate rare habitats e.g mangroves, coral reefs and mangroves
Pros of protection and regeneration of rare habitats programmes do
Protecting these habitats protects the species preserving the ecosystem and biodiversity
What are field margins
Areas of land around the edges of a field where wild flowers and grass grow
Where does the reintroduction of field margin’s and hedgerows programme take place
- They are introduced in places where only a single type of crop is grown
Pros of reintroduction of field margin’s and hedgerows programme
- hedgerows and field margins provide habitats for a. Wide range of organisms that could survive in a single crop habitat
Aim of reduction of deforestation and carbon dioxide emissions
- To reduce the increase of global warming
Why are people encouraged to recycle
To reduce the amount of waste in landfill sites an the amount of and used for land fill, leaving ecosystems in place
Disadvantages of maintaining biodiversity
- protecting biodiversity cost money
-protecting biodiversity can affect local people’s livelihoods - conflicts between biodiversity and food security
- Conflict between development and biodiversity