factors affecting biodiversity Flashcards
1
Q
what is deforestation
A
permanent removal of large areas of forest to provide wood for building, fuel and space
2
Q
how does deforestation occur?
A
- naturally (eg. forest fires)
- indirectly by humans through acid rain due to pollution
3
Q
how does deforestation affect biodiversity?
A
- if a specific type of tree is removed, BD decreases
- animal species present reduced as habitat/food source is destroyed
- animals forced to migrate to other areas - increases BD of these areas
4
Q
what is agriculture
A
large amounts of land removed and some planted with a single crop to feed a growing population
5
Q
what is monoculture
A
planting only one type of crop (reduces BD)
6
Q
how does agriculture affect biodiversity?
A
- reduces organisms food
- acres of land used for one species (monoculture)
- decreases BD
7
Q
what is climate change?
A
release of CO2 and other pollutants from burning fossil fuels
8
Q
how does climate change occur
A
- average amount of water vapour in atmosphere increases
- glaciers and snow cover declines, sea levels rise
9
Q
how does climate change affect biodiversity
A
- extinction of species in glacier regions
- species migrate to more favourable conditions
- salt water flows into rivers and reduces freshwater plant habitats
- higher temp and less rainfall = xerophytes dominant
10
Q
A
