M6, C24 Populations and Sustainability Flashcards
define conservation
the maintenance of biodiversity through human action or management
define preservation
protection of an ecosystem by restricting or banning human interference
define sustainability
Using the Earth’s natural resources in a
way which preserves the environment and
ensures the resource is available for future generations.
what are the benefits to being sustainable
It helps to prevent finite resources being used up too quickly
Aims to allow humans in all societies to live comfortably, creating a balance between MEDCs and LEDCs
what is coppicing
Tree trunk is cut close to the ground
New shoots can form from the cut surface and mature
what is rotational coppicing
Woodland divided into sections.
One small area is coppiced at a time.
You move on to different areas until the first area has re-grown and ready to be re-coppiced
what is pollarding
Trunk cut higher than in coppicing
Prevent animals eating new shoots
how can large scale timber production become more sustainable
Involves clearing large areas Can be made more sustainable by….. Selective cutting - only cutting largest trees Replanting trees Planting trees at a good distance apart Killing pests + pathogens
describe the ecosystem of Masai Mara
Savannah (grassland)
Divided by the Mara river
-Fertile regions close to the river = rich grassland + woodlands
-Further from the river = open plains, with scattered scrubs and trees
Famous for the annual zebra and wildebeest migration
The region was dominated by the acacia bush
Also home to the tsetse fly which carries African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness)
Many acacia bushes have since been removed to stop the spread
how does cultivation work in Masai Mara
Grassland converted to cropland
Natural vegetation is removed
Nutrients in the soil are used up
Leads to a reliance on fertilisers to grow crops
what is ecotourism
what does it aim to do
tourism directed towards natural environments, to support conservation efforts and observe wildlife
It aims to
-reduce the impact tourism has
-Ensure tourism doesn’t exploit the environment
-Consult + engage local communities
-Ensure infrastructure benefits locals + visitors
Repeated use of hiking trails, mechanical transport is contributing to soil erosion and habitat change
how is conservation and research being used in Masai Mara
An active conservation and protection programme was established
They’ve employed reserve rangers and provided communication equipment, vehicles and infrastructure
This has deterred the poachers from entering
eg. Black rhino are endangered due to poaching for the horn – they are on the IUCN critically endangered list
What balance is created in Masai Mara between the growing population and conservation
Elephants trample on crops and grazers feed off them so land is fenced off but this threatens natural migration
Legal hunting culls excess animals which maintains the population but numbers have to be constantly monitored to balance the ecosystem
Migratory wildlife threatens livestock as they compete for food but disease spreads as both species eat the vegetation
Human population is increasing which means more land is needed for housing but this leaves less land for wildlife
what are virgin caves
an example of preservation
humans can’t enter these newly discovered caves
they’re sensitive so humans walking around them would affect them
how is grazing controlled in Masai Mara
- tribes used land for livestock grazing
- tribes move depending on climate or presence of tsetse fly
- allows vegetation to recover
- grazing is limited to the edge of the reserve as local tribes can’t enter park
- populations have grown in size so herds are larger and more trees have to be removed for fuel
- vegetation is removed, risk of soil erosion increases
what are the pros and cons of ecotourism
pros: educational, profit, employment, aesthetically pleasing, protection of areas and sustainable
cons: soil erosion, damaging environment, expensive
give two reasons why a population would increase and two reasons why it would decrease
increase: births, immigration
decrease: deaths, emigration