Importance of, factors affecting and conservation of biodiversity Flashcards
What are the four factors affecting biodiversity?
human population growth, deforestation, agriculture and climate change
What does human population growth lead to?
deforestation, more agriculture, climate change, over exploitation of resources and pollution
What is monoculture?
the growing of one crop only year after year
How does monoculture lead to reduced species diversity, habitat diversity and genetic diversity?
species diversity - only one crop being grown, all others are killed including insects
habitat diversity - the only habitat is the massive fields of crop, bushes/trees cut down
genetic diversity - all the same crop is grown, alleles never change
What do animals have to do due to climate change
migrate their environment
What are the 3 reasons for keeping diversity?
aesthetic, economic and ecological
What are the two types of conservation?
in situ - keeping there and protecting
ex situ - moving away, generally into captivity
What are the two international agreements?
CITES and rio convention of biological diversity
What is the UK scheme?
countryside stewardship scheme - paying and educating landowners to increase biodiversity on their land
What are the ecological reasons for keeping biodiversity?
protecting keystone species and to maintain genetic resources
What is a keystone species?
a species that other species in the ecosystem depend on for survival and without them, the ecosystem would change dramatically
How does soil depletion have economic costs?
leads to increased spending on fertilisers or a reduced yield from harvest if fertilisers not paid for
What are some examples of in situ conservation?
establishing protected areas, preventing the introduction of potentially harmful species, giving legal protection to particular species, protecting habitats
What are some examples of ex situ conservation?
relocation, breeding in captivity then reintroducing them, botanic gardens and seed banks
