Human Impact On The Environment Flashcards
Extinction definition
Loss of a type of species leading to decrease in biodiversity
Reasons for extinction
Natural selection
-Monoculture: growing large number of same genetically identical specie
-pollution
-habitat destroyed
-alien species
Conservation definition
Protecting and maintaining endangered habitat or animals. To maintain biodiversity
Ways of conservation
-Sperm/ seed bank
-Breeding programme
-National park on habitat
-SSSI: site of special scientific investigation
In-situ conservation
Protection of species in their natural habitat (national park)
Adv: cheaper - less resources, encourage natural behaviour for re-introduction
Disadv: Still exposed to natural threats, harder to enforce rule if opened
Ex-situ conservation
Protect species by removing from natural environment (zoo)
Adv: easier to maintain + protect, habitat with reduced threat, research opportunities
Disadv: Semi-domesticated, die if re-introduced, more expensive
Why is conservation important?
Ethical reason - sense of duty as intelligent species
Medical use
Maintain diverse gene - some animal may have gene of specific infection immunity for other animal
What is agriculture exploitation
Producing food at a high rate to meet human demand:
Removal of hedges: more areas
Monoculture: growing of 1 or low amount of species in big quantity
Fertiliser
Why is agriculture exploitation bad
Removal of hedges: less place animal can live, less food source
Monoculture: if a disease strike, if one not immune all are not immune
Fertiliser: eutrophication
How to reduce effect of agriculture exploitation
Build place for animal to live
Less deforestation
Grow different crop at same time or grow different group at different season
Slash and burn forest
Cut wood, burn stump
Adv- quick, not much resources needed
Disadv- less photosynthesis, carbon cycle disrupt, release stored co2
Coppicing
Only cut some branch, allow regrow
Adv- no co2 release, carbon cycle fine
Disadv- less potential yield
