ENVIRONMENTAL (LIVING ENVIRONMENT)

Question 1

how can human activities change abiotic factors?

Answer 1

WATER AVAILABILITY = over-exploitation of groundwater supplies can lower the water table, this may cause surface wetland habitats to dry out.
TEMPERATURE = global climate change can cause changes in the distribution of species. Increased water temperatures can increase the growth of aquatic vegetation.
PH = mine drainage water can produce acidic conditions, which denatures cell proteins of exposed tissues, such as fish eggs/gills and the exoskeleton of insects.

Question 2

how can humans change biotic factors?

Answer 2

POLLINATORS = plants rely on pollen being transported between flowers by insects. human use of pesticides has reduced insect species.
SEED DISPERSAL = animals that eat seeds/fruit help to disperse seeds. Many large herbivores, such as elephants, are endangered. Conservation would help protect plant species too.
FOOD CHAIN IMPACTS = decline in some species is caused by over-exploitation of their food sources. For example, puffins declined due to sandeels being over-fished for humans.

Question 3

what are introduced species?

Answer 3

Species that are not originally from that area, may have adaptations that give them a greater chance of survival, meaning indigenous species may decline.

Question 4

example of introduced predators.

Answer 4

Nile perch introduced to Lake Victoria to increase food supplies, but ended up eating indigenous fish species such as cichlids, which many are now extinct.

Question 5

example of introduced competitors.

Answer 5

Grey squirrel was introduced to the UK from North America. Out-competed indigenous red squirrel as it is better adapted to exploit food sources. EG can digest acorns from oak trees. They are also larger so were more successful when competing for nest sites.

Question 6

example of introduced pathogens.

Answer 6

Grey squirrel brought squirrel pox virus. Only kills indigenous red-squirrel.

Question 7

species that controls abiotic factors?

Answer 7

African forest ELEPHANT creates clearings and water holes which provide water for species. Also, BEAVERS create dams which other aquatic species can colonise.

Question 8

what does the IUCN stand for?

Answer 8

International Union for Conservation of Nature

Question 9

what are the roles of the IUCN?

Answer 9

Increasing understanding of the importance of biodiversity, co-ordinating global data on biodiversity conservation.

Question 10

what does the IUCN do?

Answer 10

Categorises species according to their vulnerabilities, known as the IUCN Red List.

Question 11

what are EDGE species?

Answer 11

Evolutionary Distinct Globally Endangered. EG secretary bird.

Question 12

what are endemic species?

Answer 12

not found in any other area, threats to survival means they will not be found elsewhere. EG Gozo wall lizard.

Question 13

what is a keystone species?

Answer 13

Plays an important role in maintaining the ecological structure of a community. EG African Forest elephant, keep paths open in forest, create water holes, seed dispersal of tree species.

Question 14

what is a flagship species?

Answer 14

Species with a high public profile and can raise support for conservation. EG tigers, giant pandas.

Question 15

what are the three methods of maintaining biodiversity?

Answer 15

> LAWS
CAPTIVE BREEDING AND RELEASE PROGRAMMES
ORGANISATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE EXPLOITATION

Question 16

what are laws for protection of biodiversity?

Answer 16

Laws are to protect, but can be broken through ignorance. EG The wildlife and countryside act. (1981)

Question 17

what does The Wildlife and Countryside Act do?

Answer 17

designated protected areas, eg SSSIs (site of special specific interest) Restrict activities within, protect birds and their nests etc.

Question 18

what are trade controls?

Answer 18

some species can be caught and killed in one country, then sold to another. Reducing or banning trade will reduce the exploitation of these species.

Question 19

what is CITES and its appendix’s?

Answer 19

CITES is an international agreement to regulate international trade of wildlife. APPENDIX 1 = banned trade, except movement for conservation breeding programmes such as all the big cats.
APPENDIX 2 = species that may be threatened with extinction if trade is not closely monitored. Trade is only permitted in countries where species are well protected. EG great white sharks.

Question 20

what are two organisations that aim to achieve sustainable exploitation?

Answer 20

IWC (INTERNATIONAL WHALING COMMISSION) = regulate and manage whaling. whaling was banned in 1986 so populations have now recovered. they aim to designate whale sanctuaries, and set limits on number and sizes of whales.

CFP (COMMON FISHERIES POLICY) = ensure fishing is environmentally, economically and socially sustainable by setting quotas, size limits so small fish have a chance to grow, and net mesh size so small fish can escape and breed.

Question 21

what are captive breeding and release programmes?

Answer 21

breeding species in captivity and released young

Question 22

what are the conditions for breeding within captive breeding programmes?

Answer 22

PRECISE TIMING = vital for survival chances. light levels, day length and temperature etc.
BREEDING HABITAT = suitable site for courtship display, social grouping and hunting. EG flamingos only breed in large groups, mirrors placed around their enclosure to give the illusion of a larger group.
GENE POOL SIZE = small gene pools increase risk of inbreeding giving undesirable characteristics. its often impossible to use individual that are not closely related.

Question 23

what are the two types of release programmes?

Answer 23

HARD RELEASE = no-post release support, eg behaviour is instinct, such as fish and insects.
SOFT RELEASE = support after, such as gradual release.

Question 24

what are some problems faced by release programmes for animals?

Answer 24

difficulty recognising poisonous food, hunting skills, and recognising/avoiding predators etc.

Question 25

what are methods of increasing breeding success?

Answer 25

CRYOPRESERVATION = storage of eggs, semen and embryos by freezing for future use in breeding programmes. can be transported long distances and allows production of offspring w/out parents having to meet.

ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION = collection of semen from a male and can be stored for years. animal transportation is expensive and potential partners may not accept each other.

EMBRYO TRANSFER = female of endangered species is treated with hormones which triggers ovulation and the female releases eggs, washed out of the uterus and fertilised with sperm. Implanted into female of a more common species.

MICRO PROPAGATION OF PLANTS = clusters of cells can be produced from a single plant to produce genetically identical plants.

Question 26

what is unintentional habitat creation?

Answer 26

human activities can create habitats unsuitable for species that used to live there, but suitable for new wildlife.

Question 27

what is intentional habitat creation?

Answer 27

in-situ conservation requires an understanding of abiotic and biotic factors.

Question 28

what factors are considered in habitat design?

Answer 28

HABITAT AREA = large enough to support viable population to maintain reproduction rate. increased gene pool to decrease risk on inbreeding.

BIOLOGICAL CORRIDORS = links isolated areas, dispersing young animals, mixing populations and increasing gene pool.

HABITAT SHAPE = perimeter will have a strip where the conditions are a combination of neighbouring habitats. some species benefit, eg there are higher light levels at the end of the woods.

LIGHT LEVELS = shading effect of dense trees inhibits growth of plants on woodland floor. can be reduced by felling.

WATER DEPTH = dominant plants that can absorb more sunlight, often by being taller. plants with emergent vegetation can only support their weight in shallow water.

Question 29

what species benefit from a small habitat

Answer 29

FROGS breed successfully in small ponds that cannot support predatory fish that eat frog spawn/tadpols.

Question 30

three ways of habitat conservation

Answer 30

LANDOWNER SHIP = conservation organisations purchase areas to protect species that already live there, EG National Trust and RSPB

DESIGNATED PROTECTED AREAS = SSSI’s = protect areas with the best example of UK’s flora, geographical features, eg must inform government in they plan to damage.

Question 31

control of biotic features for habitat conservation:

Answer 31

FOOD = increase suitable conditions for food species

CONTROL OF PREDATION = providing island breeding sites for nesting sites for nesting water birds. eradication, eg 3000 rats killed on scilly isles.

CONTROL OF PATHOGENS = can remove weakest individuals, but can wipe out indigenous species.

Question 32

control of abiotic species for habitat conservation:

Answer 32

TEMPERATURE = warm temp needed for development of eggs.

Question 33

reasons for conserving biodiversity

Answer 33

> RESOURCES