Chapter 7B - Human Impact On Environment

Question 1

What is biodiversity?

Answer 1

Biodiversity is the variety of different species of organisms on Earth, or within an ecosystem.

Question 2

Why is a high biodiversity important?

Answer 2

It results in stable ecosystems, as one species is less dependent on another single species for the resources it needs

Question 3

Why is the human population increasing?

Answer 3

Due to modern medicine and more efficient farming methods, less people die.

Question 4

Why is there an increase in water pollution?

Answer 4

Sewage and toxic chemicals from industry can pollute lakes, rivers, oceans, which can kill the organisms living in them.

Question 5

What is eutrophication?

Answer 5

If too much fertiliser is added to a field and it rains, then the excess fertiliser can get washed into nearby rivers and lakes. The nutrients of the fertiliser allow for a lot of algae to be produced. The algal bloom blocks out sunlight, so plants, under water, can’t photosynthesise. Microorganisms feeding on dead plants use up all the oxygen, leading to the death of fish and other animals.

Question 6

Why does global warming occur?

Answer 6

Greenhouse gases act like an insulating layer, and they absorbs most of the energy, that would normally get radiated back out into space, and re-radiate is in different directions towards earth.

Question 7

What are the 4 main consequences of global warming?

Answer 7

1. Rising sea levels lead to habitat loss.
2. Changes in the distribution of organisms
3. Changes to migration patterns
4. Less biodiversity

Question 8

What are the 4 main uses of land?

Answer 8

1. Building
2. Quarrying
3. Farming
4. Dumping waste

Question 9

Why are the uses of deforestation?

Answer 9

1. To clear land for cattle ranching

2. To grow crops for biofuels

Question 10

What are the issues with deforestation?

Answer 10

1. Less biodiversity
2. More Carbon Dioxide released in the air
3. Less Carbon Dioxide absorbed

Question 11

What are (peat) bogs?

Answer 11

They are acidic and waterlogged areas, where plants don’t fully decay as there isn’t enough oxygen

Question 12

What is peat used for?

Answer 12

1. Peat bogs are drained so the area can be used for farmland
2. Peat is cut up and dried to use as fuel.
3. Peat is sold as compost

Question 13

What are the 2 main problems with draining peat bogs?

Answer 13

1. Less biodiversity
2. When the peat is drained, it comes into contact with air, so microorganisms begin to decompose it. They use oxygen and the peat to respire and produce Carbon Dioxide.

Question 14

What are the 5 main protection programmes?

Answer 14

1. Breeding programmes for endangered species
2. Regeneration of endangered habitats
3. Reintroducing hedgerows and field margins, as they provide a habitat for a wider variety of organisms to grow
4. Regulating rate of deforestation
5. People are encouraged to recycle

Question 15

What are the cons to maintaining biodiversity?

Answer 15

1. It costs a lot of money
2. It costs many people’s livelihoods
3. Conflict between food security and biodiversity
4. Housing crisis creates an urban sprawl