Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Environmental Studies > Chapter 3 - Conservation in the UK > Flashcards

Chapter 3 - Conservation in the UK Flashcards

0
Q

Define: Ecotourism

A

Tourism intended to have low environmental impact, usually involving seeing wildlife.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
1
Q

Define: Plagioclimax

A

A community of species that does not develop to a natural climax, but is maintained by external influences including human activities such as burning, grazing or ploughing.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Define: NGOs

A

Non-Governmental Organisations

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Define: Natural England

A

The UK governmental organisation with responsibility for the conservation of wildlife and the landscape.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Define: LNRs

A

Local Nature Reserves

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Define: National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act

A

The Uk law that enabled the establishment of National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and many public rights if way.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Define: Natura 2000

A

A network of protected sites in the EU that combine the SPAs and SACs set up under the birds and habitats directives.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Define: Species Recovery Programme

A

UK programme to help to increase the numbers of some endangered species.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Define: DEFRA

A

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Define: Biodiversity

A

A measure of the variety and abundance of wildlife species.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Define: BAP

A

Biodiversity Action Plan

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Define: Convention on Biological Diversity 1992

A

International conference held in Brazil, often called the Rio Summit.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Define: Rio Summit

A

An alternative name for the Convention on Biological Diversity 1992.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Define: Forestry Commission

A

The UK government forestry organisation, which manages research, commercial timber production, learning and leisure.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Define: WWF

A

World Wide Fund for Nature is an environmental campaigning and pressure group.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Define: National Trust

A

A UK charity that conserves historic buildings and important landscapes and habitats.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Define: FoE

A

Friends of the Earth is an environmental pressure group.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Define: Greenpeace

A

An environmental pressure group.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What are the governmental organisations involved in conservation in the UK?

A 
- Natural England (wildlife/landscape conservation)
   > Species Recovery Programme
- Designated protected areas in the UK
   > SSSI, NNR, LNR, MNR, SPA, SAC
   > Natura 2000 (network of EU SPAs and SACs)
- DEFRA
   > Ramsar Sites
   > Biodiversity Action Plan
   > Agri-Environmental Schemes (ESS)
- The Forestry Commission
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What are the voluntary organisations involved in conservation?

A
  • WWF (environmental pressure group)
  • RSPB (UK member of Birdlife International)
  • National Trust (conserves historic buildings)
  • FoE (environmental pressure group)
  • Greenpeace (environmental pressure group)
  • Marine Conservation Society
20
Q

What are the aims and activities of Natural England?

A 
Aims:
- Healthy natural environment
- Enjoyment of natural environment
- Sustainable use of natural environment
- Secure environmental future
Activities:
- Ecological research
- Providing advice and information
- Providing grants for conservation management
- Designation of protected areas
21
Q

What is the purpose of an SSSI?

A

Identifies areas of particular interest because of their plants, animals or geological features.
- E.g. Exe Estuary, Devon

22
Q

What is the purpose of an NNR?

A

To secure protection and management of the most important areas of wildlife habitat.
- E.g. Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire

23
Q

What is the purpose of an LNR?

A

To protect areas from damaging activities in the reserve and surrounding land.

24
Q

What is the purpose of an MNR?

A

To conserve and provide opportunities for the study of marine wildlife, geological and physiological features.
- E.g. Skomer Island

25
Q

What is the purpose of a SPA?

A

To help protect and manage areas that are important for rare and vulnerable birds.
- E.g. Severn Estuary

26
Q

What is the purpose of a SAC?

A

To provide rare and vulnerable wildlife and habitats with increased protection and management.
- E.g. Dartmoor

27
Q

What are the global and local aims of DEFRA?

A
  • Concern for climate change and energy
  • Sustainable consumption and production
  • Protection of natural resources and countryside
  • Sustainable rural communities
  • Sustainable farming and food sector (animal health and welfare)
28
Q

What is the purpose of a Ramsar Site?

A

To protect wetlands of international importance and ensuring sustainable use of wetlands.
- E.g. Minsmere, Suffolk

29
Q

What are the three main plans of the UK BAP?

A
  • Species Action Plan (382 threatened species)
  • Habitat Action Plan (28 habitats)
  • Local Action Plan (individual counties)
30
Q

What are the aims of the Environmental Stewardship Scheme?

A
  • Conserve wildlife
  • Maintain/enhance landscape quality
  • Protect historic environments
  • Promote public access and understanding
  • Protect natural resources
31
Q

What are the features of farm management that are awarded points in the ESS and the benefits of them?

A
  • Hedgerow/Stone wall/Ditch management (maintain landscape)
  • Field buffer strips (protect rivers)
  • Wild bird seeds (winter bird food)
  • Low input grasslands (protect wildflowers)
  • Archaeological sites (protection)
  • Reduce soil erosion (maintain production/protect rivers)
  • In-field tree protection (wildlife habitat)
  • Beetle banks (habitat for natural predators/reduce pesticide use)
32
Q

What campaigns does WWF perform?

A
  • Global climate change
  • Endangered species (e.g. elephants)
  • Waste disposal/Pollution
  • Transport
  • Home energy conservation
  • Food miles
33
Q

What activities does the RSPB perform?

A
  • Raising public awareness of environmental issues
  • Lobbying industry and governments
  • Education
  • Research grants to fund conservation organisations
  • Joint activities with other NGOs
34
Q

What are the threatened habitats in the UK?

A
  • Broadleaf Woodland
  • Wetlands
  • The Broads
  • Lowland Heathland
  • Hedgerows
  • Chalk Grassland
  • Hay Meadows
  • Upland Moorland
  • Coasts and Estuaries
35
Q

How have woodlands been traditionally managed?

A
  • Mature Trees (Produce large timbers for housing)
  • Coppicing (Cut to ground level every 7-12 years)
  • Pollarding (Cut down to 1.8m to protect new growth from grazing)
36
Q

Why are native woodlands important?

A
  • Terrestrial habitat with high biodiversity
  • Possible range of recreational activities
  • Regulates water flow in catchment areas
  • Trees reduce soil erosion
  • Absorb carbon dioxide, limit global climate change
  • Return water to atmosphere (evapotranspiration)
  • Provide sustainable supply of fuel
  • Timber (construction, tools, ship building)
37
Q

What are the threats to wetlands?

A
  • Drainage to produce productive farmland
  • Urban expansions onto flood plains
  • River straightening to reduce flooding risk
  • Excessive recreation pressure
  • Bank reinforcement to reduce flooding risk
  • Pollution (industry, sewage and agriculture)
38
Q

What are the threats to The Broads?

A
  • Traditional crafts have declined (cutting reeds for roof thatching)
  • Eutrophication decline natural foodwebs (growth of algae)
  • Introduced species (Coypu damage banks and cause floods)
  • Recreation pressure (litter, noise, trampling and fuel pollution)
  • Global climate change cause flooding and saltwater incursions
39
Q

What are the management strategies to prevent the threats to The Broads?

A
  • Sediment removal (remove phosphates)
  • Phosphate removal from liquid effluents
  • Coypu eradication
  • Reed bed clearance and the re-establishment of commercial reed cutting
  • Bank protection
  • Speed limits for boats
  • Path maintenance
  • Public education
40
Q

What are the threats to Lowland Heathlands?

A
  • Urban expansion
  • Conifer plantations
  • Golf courses
  • Preventing the use of burning (used for management)
41
Q

What are the two different types of hedgerow?

A
  • Woodland Relic Hedges (rich in flora and fauna)

- Planted Hedges (provide barriers to keep livestock in)

42
Q

What are the reasons for hedgerow loss?

A
  • Increase in size of arable fields (easier use of machinery)
  • Increase in farmable areas (food harvests)
  • Road widening
  • Replacement by fences
  • Damage by vehicles
  • Neglecting traditional managements
43
Q

What are the threats to the environment through loss of hedgerows?

A
  • Loss of wildlife
  • Loss of habitats for predators that control pests
  • Increased wind erosion in neighbouring fields
  • Reduction of scenic quality of countryside
44
Q

What are the threats to chalk grasslands?

A
  • Intensive farming to substitute for fertile soil
  • Use of fertilisers, pesticides and re-seeding
  • Urban expansion
  • Road building
  • Abandonment of grazing leads to secondary succession
45
Q

What are the threats to Moorlands?

A
  • Conversion to ‘improved’ grassland
  • Conifer afforestation
  • Reservoir construction
  • Abandonment of grazing leads to secondary succession
  • Increased visitor pressure (Countryside and Rights of Way Act)
46
Q

What are the abiotic factors in estuaries?

A
  • Salinity (pure seawater to freshwater)
  • Depth
  • Turbidity (clear water to water with fine suspended solids)
  • Water flow rates (very slow movement to 10mph)
  • Period of exposure to air
  • Temperature fluctuations
  • Substrate type (coarse gravel to fine clay)
47
Q

What are the threats to estuaries?

A
  • Port developments
  • Pollution (rivers that drain into estuaries)
  • Land reclamation
  • Pollution from industrial developments (oil terminals)

Environmental Studies (11 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions