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biology - component 1 > human impact on the environment > Flashcards

human impact on the environment Flashcards

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1
Q

outline the potential causes for the extinction of a species

A
  • natural selection
  • loss of habitat
  • pollution
  • overhunting
  • new competitors
  • non-contiguous populations
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2
Q

what is meant by conservation

A

maintenance of ecosystems and biodiversity by humans to preserve Earth’s resources

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3
Q

how can conservation be achieved

A
  • protection of habitats
  • protection of endangered species
  • international cooperation
  • species reintroduction
  • gene and sperm banks
  • seed banks
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4
Q

define what is meant by biodiversity

A

number of species and number of individuals in each species in a specified region

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5
Q

define what is meant by extinction

A

natural process where species reproduce less successfully and population numbers decrease until there are none left

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6
Q

give an explanation for natural selection causing extinction

A

existing species don’t have the ability to survive in a changing environment

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7
Q

why does deforestation cause extinction

A

habitat destruction
reduced food availability
increased risk of predation

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8
Q

why does habitat destruction cause extinction

A

reduces population sizes so reproduction is less successful

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9
Q

why does loss of hedgerows cause extinction

A

mammals unable to move from one area to another safely

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10
Q

why does pollution cause extinction

A
  • neurotoxins can be ingested in food
  • oil leaks contaminate drinking water
  • oil floats and prevents oxidation
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11
Q

why does competition from domestic animals cause extinction

A

species that is less well adapted may get fewer resources that both species need

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12
Q

why does hunting and collecting cause extinction

A

overfishing
animals killed for food
use of animal body parts

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13
Q

what does SSSI stand for

A

sites of special scientific interest

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14
Q

how do nature reserves and SSSI’s enhance biodiversity

A

many animals and plants survive through symbiotic or predatory relationships with other species

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15
Q

how do restrictions on trade enhance biodiversity

A

reduces impact of transport and pollution
no introduction of pathogens and invasive species

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16
Q

how do zoo breeding programmes enhance biodiversity

A

gene diversity can be increased by deliberate choice of parents

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17
Q

how do sperm banks / seed banks enhance biodiversity

A
  • rather than moving animals, sperm can be sent around the world to be used in breeding programmes
  • plants grown reproduce and another generation of seeds is collected
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18
Q

how to reintroductions enhance biodiversity

A

increase number of species or places where species can be found

19
Q

outline why conservation of species is important

A
  • ethical reasons
  • agriculture and horticulture
  • if environment changes, some alleles will provide an advantage to the individuals that carry them
  • potential medical uses
20
Q

how do pesticides increase production

A
  • insecticides kill pests that eat and damage crops
  • herbicides kill weeds that cause competition for crops
21
Q

what effects do pesticides have on the environment

A

contamination of surrounding soil and water sources, causing loss of biodiversity

22
Q

how do artificial fertilisers increase production

A

replaces minerals lost from agricultural ecosystems ensuring yields remain high

23
Q

what effects do artificial fertilisers have on the environment

A

chemical fertilisers can leach out into nearby waterways causing eutrophication

24
Q

how does removal of hedges increase production

A

makes land easier and cheaper to work

25
Q

how does monoculture increase production

A

increased use of machinery and decreased labour costs mean continuous cropping of one crop bring greater economic returns per unit area of land

26
Q

what effects does monoculture have on the environment

A

reduces species and genetic diversity of all plants and also animals because there are fewer niches available

27
Q

outline the reasons for deforestation

A
  • timber used for building, fuel, paper
  • land cleared for farming
  • high value trees may be targeted and damage other trees in the process
  • new roads built
28
Q

outline the consequences of deforestation

A
  • soil erosion as roots bind soil together
  • causes lowland flooding
  • no plants left and water evaporates from the soil
  • less rainfall as no water to evaporate from the soil
  • habitat loss and reduction in biodiversity
  • reduces removal of CO2 from the atmosphere
29
Q

explain coppicing

A
  • tree trunk cut leaving stool
  • new shoots emerge and form poles which can be cut in rotation
  • increases woodland biodiversity as more light can reach the ground
30
Q

explain selective cutting

A
  • felling only some trees
  • valuable on steep slopes as reduces soil erosion
  • helps maintain nutrients in forest soil
  • minimises amount of soil washed into nearby waterways
31
Q

explain long rotation time as a method to manage forests

A
  • many years left between harvesting adjacent areas of forest
  • increases sustainability
  • develops a variety of habitats
32
Q

what steps can be taken to improve the efficiency of forestry

A
  • plant trees optimum distance apart to reduce intra-specific competition
  • control pests and disease so fewer trees need to be felled
  • cut similar number of trees each year to maintain forest ecosystem
33
Q

why is the preservation of native woodlands so important

A
  • maintain and enhance biodiversity
  • there is a need to plant more native species to provide a wide range of habitats for the great variety of species that live there
34
Q

explain how overfishing has led to a loss of biodiversity

A
  • young fish caught before they are sexually mature so fewer individuals to reproduce
35
Q

name the strategies to combat over-fishing

A
  • exclusion zones
  • removing subsidies
  • quotas
  • reducing vessels
  • reducing fishing time
  • controlling mesh size
36
Q

outline the advantages of exclusion zones

A
  • allows fish to reproduce
  • enhances biodiversity
37
Q

outline the disadvantages of exclusion zones

A

local fisherman lose income

38
Q

outline the advantages of removing subsidies

A

would stop encouraging fishermen to catch fish

39
Q

outline the disadvantages of removing subsidies

A

fishermen lose income and jobs

40
Q

outline the disadvantage of quotas

A

some fish thrown back when quota is met

41
Q

what is meant by a fishing quota

A

set number of fish allowed to be brought back to shore

42
Q

why are diseases common on fish farms and why do treatments lead to environmental problems

A
  • fish kept packed together so diseases easily transmitted
  • huge doses of antibiotics needed
  • pesticides toxic to other organisms
43
Q

outline the negative effects of fish farming on the environment

A
  • pollution
  • escaped fish - may outcompete wild fish
  • resource use - fishfeed made from other fish
  • environmental toxins released
  • environmental degredation - salinisation of soil and ground water
44
Q

name the positive benefits of fish farming

A
  • food security
  • employment
  • affordable

biology - component 1 (2 decks)

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