environment Flashcards
what is a monoculture
growing single variety of plants( crops) in a large area
negative effects of monoculture
low biodiversity
increase in the population of pest of the crop
destroying habitats for animal
the negative impact of intensive livestock production
spread of diseases
the waste can pollute the land or the river
what is the usual factor for famine
weather
effect of deforestation
if the tree is cut, the soil under will be exposed to rain.
this will make soil thin.
it can be washed away and this will cause soil erosion
as well as a flood if they get into the river.
less rainfall because not many trees will absorb and tranpirate them
give two examples of greenhouse gases
carbon dioxide and methane
how does the greenhouse effect happen
shortwave radiation from the sun hits the ground
the ground absorb and emitted out longwave radiation
greenhouse gas will reflect back the longwave radiation make the earth get heated again
what is the main source of production of carbon dioxide
burning fossil fuels
what we could do to reduce methane production
recycle rubbish more because the decay of rubbish creates methane
which two gases cause acid rain
nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide
how does acid rain affect plant’s growth
it washes out ions which are essential nutrients for the plant. also difficult for plant to absorb nutrients in the soil
how does acid rain affect river
ions will wash into the river, some ions are poisonous to the organism in the liver ( aluminium ion)
water will be acidic
what will be the usual cause of eutrophication
fertilisers and untreated sewage
describe the process of eutrophication
the (nitrate) fertiliser make the algae grow fast
algae cover the top surface of the river
light can’t be reached the plants under water
can’t do photosynthesis so dies.
less plant will do photosynthesis so oxygen level decrease and also the bacteria will decompose the dead plant, this will also reduce oxygen
the fish in the lake will lack oxygen so it dies, bacteria will need even more oxygen to decompose them
eventually, all the living organisms in the river will die due to a lack of oxygen
what is a DDT
a pesticide that kills insects