factors affecting biodiversity

Question 1

What are the human activities that reduce animal habitats?

Answer 1

deforestation - wood for building and fuel, create room for infrastructure

agriculture - more farmland needed to feed population - monoculture filled with one crop

climate change - increase in global temperature affects biodiversity

litering - chemical pollution of water ways

Question 2

What is an indirect cause of deforestation?

Answer 2

acid rain - produced by burning fossil fuels

Question 3

How does deforestation reduce biodiversity?

Answer 3

if only a specific tree is felled reduces species diversity

reduces the number of animal species in an area as it destroys their habitat

destroys animal homes and food soures

Question 4

What is being done to restore trees to deforested areas? why is this not good enough?

Answer 4

only commerically viable trees are planted therefore biodiversity does not return to its original levels

Question 5

How does agriculture reduce biodiversity?

Answer 5

only a few species are chosen - reduces species diversity

deforestation for land for growing crops

remove hedgerows for machinery and space - habitats for many birds, invertebrates and rodents

pesticides kill insects, herbicides kill weeds, reduces food sources and diversity

Question 6

How does climate change reduce biodiversity?

Answer 6

melting of polar ice caps - reduces habitat

rising sea levels - seltwater flows further up rivers - flood low lying areas

increase in xerophytes - reduces other plant species that are relied on for food