How Are Ecosystems Under Threat And Waht Is Being Done To Manage The Threat?

Question 1

Ecosystems are interconnected. Expand

Answer 1

something which impacts one ecosystem or food chain, will have an impact on another - food webs and trophic cascades

Question 2

What is deforestation?

Answer 2

The removal of trees where the land is thereafter converted onto non forest use

Question 3

Causes of deforestation?

Answer 3

Subsistence farming
Commercial farming
Commercial logging

Question 4

What is subsistence farming?

Answer 4

local people start a farm and grow enough food for themselves or a small amount to sell.

Question 5

What is commercial farming?

Answer 5

large scale farming carried out by companies which involves lots of machinery.

Question 6

What is commercial logging?

Answer 6

cutting down of trees for wood products such as furniture or housing.

Question 7

Where are the majority of the top 10 most endangered forests

Answer 7

Asia—pacific

Question 8

How is it being managed? (Deforestation)

Answer 8

Companies can make an impact by introducing and implementing “zero deforestation” policies that clean up their supply chains

You can make a difference in the fight to save forests by making informed daily choices.

eco-forestry underscores the need of cutting down trees in an environmentally friendly manner. It is where only cautiously selected trees are fell and transported with the least possible damage to the area

Question 9

What is desertification?

Answer 9

The process by which fertile land become dry and looses its fertility causing it to slowly form a desert

Question 10

Causes of desertification

Answer 10

Overgrazing
Overpopulation
Improper irrigation methods
Deforestation

Question 11

Overgrazing

Answer 11

Overgrazing is one of the several causes for desertification, in arid areas the vegetation is necessary because the soil needs it to stay moist and fertile. If the soil is overgrazed by human livestock and other wild animals then there will be nothing left to stop the soil from washing and blowing away, which can lead to desertification overtime.

Question 12

Deforestation

Answer 12

Deforestation is one of the leading human induced issues that lead to desertification. like overgrazing, once the trees are cut down there is nothing left to prevent the soil from blowing and washing away. This process can result in soil degradation meaning the soil eventually turns to dust and the nutrients in the soil are deteriorating making the soil unusable causing desertification overtime

Question 13

Overpopulation

Answer 13

Overpopulation is an issue for every big problem in the world such as lack of water, immigration, faster climate change and, you guessed it, desertification. the human population in the world is rapidly increasing meaning we need more food and water to sustain our population. This means we need more natural resources resulting in intensive farming that expands more and more over the landscape, which causes desertification

Question 14

Improper irrigation methods

Answer 14

Improper irrigation methods that humans use can lead to salt building up inside the soil, which makes it hard for plants to grow. These improper farming techniques are becoming more and more common due to human migration because people had to move because of desertification affecting their lives and other issues such as war. Farmers are forced to grow enough crops to support the surrounding population and if the crops do not grow fast enough then there will be a shortage of food. This influences them to use improper farming methods to have enough food to feed the people.

Question 15

How is desertification being managed

Answer 15

Planting more trees - the roots of trees hold the soil together and help to reduce soil erosion from wind and rain. Improving the quality of the soil - this can be managed by encouraging people to reduce the number of grazing animals they have and grow crops instead.