How are ecosystems under threat? Flashcards
How are ecosystems connected?
Through food webs and trophic cascades
What are food webs?
A complex network of interconnecting and overlapping food chains
What are trophic cascades?
Powerful indirect interactions that can control entire ecosystems
What is deforestation?
Reducing the amount of forest land the earth has
Where is deforestation taking place?
All over the world
Why do humans cut down forests?
The wood can be sold
Space can be created for other purposes
How is deforestation being managed?
Logging
Replanting
Bans
What is desertification?
The process by which vegetation in drylands decreases and eventually disappears
Where is desertification happening?
Africa (Sahel region), Asia (Gobi Desert and Mongolia) and parts of South America
How is desertification being managed?
Planting more trees - the roots of trees hold the soil together and help to reduce soil erosion from wind and rain
Why is desertification a problem?
Food production is reduced
water sources dry up and populations are pressured to move to more hospitable areas
