Lesson 15 - Factors affecting biodiversity

Question 1

How are humans affecting biodividersity?

Answer 1

• Deforestation –> permanent removal of large areas of forest to provide wood for building and fuel + to create space for roads, buildings and agriculture
• agriculture - monocultures
• climate change
• pollution from industry agriculture

Question 2

Natural deforestation:

Answer 2

• forest fires by lightening / extreme heat / dry weather

Question 3

How does deforestation affect biodiversity?

Answer 3

• directly reduces number of trees present in an area.
• If only specific type of tree is felled –> species diversity reduced.
• habitats –> reduces number of animal species.
• food source
• Migration –> biodiversity of surrounding areas increases.

Question 4

Agriculture affect on biodiversity?

Answer 4

• A few species of crop / animal.
• Select species based on high yield

Question 5

What do farmers do to decrease biodiversity?

Answer 5

• Deforestation
• Removal of hedgerows
• Use of chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides.
• Monocultures

Question 6

Climate change affect on biodiversity?

Answer 6

• Average amount of water vapour in atmosphere has increased.
• Average temperature of global ocean depths of 3km increased
• Rise in sea levels
• Average arctic temperature increased
• Mountain glaciers and snow cover have declined
• Long-term upward trends in amount of precipitation
• Warming trend

Question 7

How will global warming affect biodiversity in the future?

Answer 7

• Melting of polar ice caps –> extinction of few plant / animal species in region.
• Rising sea levels and thermal expansion
• Higher temp and less rainfall –> xerophytes more prominent.
• Insect life cycles and populations change –> key pollinators.

Difference between slow and fast climate change.