Human Interactions with Natural Ecosystems

Question 1

What Factors Threaten Natural Ecosystems

Answer 1

Abiotic and Biotic Factors

Question 2

List three (3) abiotic factors that threaten natural ecosystems

Answer 2

Land Developement
Pollution of land, air and water
Alteration of biochemical cycles

Question 3

List four (4) biotic factors that threaten natural ecosystems

Answer 3

Overexploitation
Habitat destruction
Elemention of predators and pathogens
Introduction of exotic species

Question 4

Habitat Fragmentatin refers to

Answer 4

the reduction and division of a large continuous habitat into two or more smaller fragments

Question 5

Describe how habitat degradation and pollution affect natural ecosystems

Answer 5

Makes the area unable to host organisms, land, sea and air pollution can eliminate species . eg. acid rain (destroys forsts and ocenic creatures), oilspills etc

Question 6

Name Two pollutants that have disrupted food chains and webs

Answer 6

DDT and PCB’s

Question 7

Describe the term overexploitation and include effects

Answer 7

The overuse of organic species for domestic and other purposes. This cssn cause the extinction of organisms and/or loss of genetic diversity.

Question 8

What does the term Indigenous refer to?

Answer 8

a species that originated in a particular area

Question 9

Define the term Endemic

Answer 9

A species found in a single geographical location and no other place

Question 10

What does the term introduced mean?

Answer 10

A species that isn’t native to an area and was taken there accidentally or purposefully. (exotic species)

Question 11

What are some reasons for the introduction of species?

Answer 11

European colonisation
Accidental transport
Biological control