Human Impact On The Environment

Question 1

Name some reasons for species becoming extinct or endangered

Answer 1

• Natural selection
• Habitat destruction (deforestation, hedgerow loss, changes in farming practices)
• Overhunting and collecting (trophy hunting, overfishing)
• Competition with introduced species
• Pollution (oil, PCBs)

Question 2

Name some methods of conservation

Answer 2

• Habitat protection
• International cooperation restricting trade (ivory, whaling)
• Gene banks
• Campaigns and education
• Legislation
• Ecotourism

Question 3

Why conserve species?

Answer 3

• Ethical reasons

- Loss of potentially useful genes (for agriculture, survival, and medicine)

Question 4

What are the consequences of deforestation?

Answer 4

• Soil erosion
• Lowland flooding
• Atmosphere changes
• Less rainfall
• Loss of habitats
• Poor quality soil

Question 5

Which two planetary boundaries are core boundaries and what do they mean?

Answer 5

• Climate change boundary (via emissions, possible solution being biofuels)
• Biosphere integrity (via species extinction)