Chapter 5 Ecology- Human Impact

Question 1

Pollution def.

Answer 1

Any harmful human addition to a habitat or the environment that leaves it less able to sustain life.

Question 2

Pollutant def

Answer 2

chemicals of human origin that harm the environment.

Question 3

Types of Pollution

Answer 3

Agriculture, Domestic, Industrial, Water

Question 4

Agriculture

Pollutant, Source, Effects, Control measures

Answer 4

Pollutant: Slurry/Fertiliser
Source: Leached from land into water.
Effects: Causes Eutrophication
Control Measures: Spread when weather dry. Avoid spreading close to water

Question 5

Industry

Pollutant, Source, Effects, Control measures

Answer 5

Pollutant: Sulphur Dioxide
Source: Burning fossil fuels
Effects: Acid Rain which erodes buildings.
Control Measures: Reduce burning of fossil fuels. Use renewable energy

Question 6

Domestic

Pollutant, Source, Effects, Control measures

Answer 6

Pollutant: Plastic bags
Source: human activity
Effects: Litter, Unsightly,non-biodegradable, releases chemical gases
Control Measures: Use biodegradable materials. Bag tax. Reuse bags.

Question 7

Eutrophication def.

Answer 7

Where a water source becomes over enriched with nutrients as a result of excess fertilisers being washed into the water.

Question 8

Ecological impact of Eutrophication

Answer 8

Algae Bloom no. increase due to excess nutrients. Nutrients decrease-Algae die. Bacteria decompose algae using oxygen. reduces oxygen. So fish/plants die.

Also algae covers surface and blocks light.

Question 9

Conservation def.

Answer 9

The protection and wise management of natural resources and the environment.

Question 10

Conservation benefits

Answer 10

plants and animals wont become extinct.
Natural habitats protected.
Biodiversity maintained.
Endangered species protected.

Question 11

Conservation practices in Agriculture

Answer 11

Crop Rotation:
Alternating crops in different fields each year. Different nutrients taken from soil. Nutrients restored. Prevents soil being depleted of certain nutrients.

Question 12

Conservation practices in Fisheries

Answer 12

Large fishing net sizes, quotas, restocking

Question 13

Conservation practices in Forestry

Answer 13

replanting, use of broadleaf/conifer mix (use different nutrients)

Question 14

Waste managment def.

Answer 14

The recycling or disposal of waste materials, produced by human activity in an effort to reduce their effect on the environment.

Question 15

Methods of Waste Managment

Answer 15

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Landfills
Dumping illegally
Incineration
Dumping at sea

Question 16

Problems associated with waste disposal

Landfills

Answer 16

Unsightly
Rats
Smelly
Microorganisms cause disease
takes a long time to break down

Question 17

Problems associated with waste disposal
Incineration
Benefits/Disadvantage

Answer 17

Ben: Reduces waste rapidly, reduces need for landfills
Dis: Releases harmful gases

Question 18

Problems associated with waste disposal

Dumping at sea

Answer 18

Causes eutrophication
Pollutes and kills animals and plants
Pollutes drinking water

Question 19

Waste management in agriculture

Answer 19

Slurry- avoid on wet land and away from water
Silage effluent- drain at bottom of pit to collect, cut dry grass.
Plastics: recycle, reuse instead of buying new each year

Question 20

Waste management in fisheries

Answer 20

Fish heads- pig feed, fertiliser

Question 21

Waste management in forestries

Answer 21

Tree stumps and branches- use as replacement cover on ground. They decompose and return nutrients.
Sawdust- animal bedding, manufactured wood.

Question 22

Factors that effect human population

Answer 22

Disease, war, famine, contraception, natural disasters, medical advancements