Populations and sustainability

Question 1

what is meant by population?

Answer 1

a population is al the organisms of one species in a habitat

Question 2

what is meant by population size?

Answer 2

population size is the total number of organisms of one species in a habitat. this number changes over time because of the effect of various factors

Question 3

what are some examples of abiotic factors that effect the population size?

Answer 3

• the amount o flight
• water
• space available-the temperature of their surroundings
• the chemical composition of their surroundings

Question 4

what happens when abiotic factors are ideal for a species?

Answer 4

organisms can grow fast and reproduce successfully.

Question 5

what does it mean for mammals to have their ideal temp for metabolic reactions to take place?

Answer 5

• they don’t have to use up as much energy maintaining their boy temp.
• this means more energy can be used for growth and reproduction, so their population size will increase.

Question 6

what are some examples of biotic factors that effect the population size?

Answer 6

• interspecific competition
• intraspecific competition
• predation

Question 7

what is meant by interspecific competition?

Answer 7

interspecific competition is when organisms of different species compete with each other for the same resources.

Question 8

what does interspecific competition lead to in terms of with food?

Answer 8

• this can mean that the resources available to both populations are reduced
• e.g. if they share the same source of food, there will be less available to both of them.
• this means both populations will be limited by a lower amount of food.
• they’ll have less energy for growth and reproduction
• so the population sizes will be lower for both species

Question 9

how does interspecific competition affect the distribution of species?

Answer 9

• interspecific competition can also affect the distribution of species.
• if 2 species are competing but 1 is better adapted to its surroundings than the other
• the less well adapted species is likely to be out- competed- it won’t be able to exist alongside the better adapted species

Question 10

how did the introduction of grey squirrels lead to interspecific competition?

Answer 10

• grey squirrels were introduced to the UK
• they now compete with the native red squirrels for the same food sources and habitats
• as they share the same source of food, there is less available to both of them.
• so in areas where both red and grey squirrels live, both populations are smaller than they would be if there was inly 1 species there
• since the introduction of the grey squirrel to the UK, the native red squirrel has disappeared from large areas.
• they grey squirrel has a better chance of survival because it’s larger and can store more fat over winter
• it can also eat a wider range of food than the red squirrel.

Question 11

what is meant by intraspecific competition?

Answer 11

intraspecific competition is when organisms of the same species compete with each other for the same resources.

Question 12

what can intraspecific competition lead to and why?

Answer 12

• it can cause a cyclical change in population size, where the population grows, shrinks, grows again and so on.
• this is because the population of a species increases when the resources are plentiful.
• As the population increases, there’ll be more organisms competing for the same amount of space and food.
• eventually resources such as food ans space become limiting- there isn’t enough for all the organisms.
• the population then begins to decline.
• a smaller population then means that there is less competition fro space and food, which is better for growth and reproduction- so the population starts to grow again.

Question 13

what is meant by carrying capacity?

Answer 13

the maximum stable population size of a species that an ecosystem can support is called the carrying capacity.

Question 14

what is meant by predation?

Answer 14

predation is when an organism (he predator) kills and eats another organism (the prey), e.g. lions kill and eat (predate on) buffalo.

Question 15

why is the population of predators and prey interlinked?

Answer 15

-a s the population of 1 changes, it causes the other population to change through negative feedback

Question 16

what is meant by negative feedback?

Answer 16

negative feedback i s when a a system reacts to a change in a way that pushes it back toward a stable state

Question 17

what happens in a predator-prey system as the prey population increases?

Answer 17

-there’s more food for predators, so the predator population grows.

Question 18

what happens in a predator-prey system as the predator population increases?

Answer 18

• As the predator population increases, more prey is eaten so the prey population then begins to all - this is a negative feedback effect that restores the prey population to a more stable size.
• this means there’s less food for the predators, so their population decreases (another negative feedback effect), and so on.

Question 19

what are limiting factors and what do they do?

Answer 19

limiting factors stop the population size of a species increasing- they determine the carrying capacity of an ecosystem.

-Limiting factors can be biotic or abiotic.

Question 20

give an example of an abiotic limiting factor

Answer 20

the amount of shelter in an ecosystem limits the population size of a species as there’s only enough shelter for a certain number of individuals.

Question 21

give an example of an biotic limiting factor

Answer 21

Interspecific competition limits the population size of a species because the amount of resources available to a species is reduced.

Question 22

what is meant by conservation?

+ e.g.

Answer 22

conservation is the protection and management of ecosystems so that the natural resources in them van be used without them running out.

+
e.g. using rainforests for timber without any species becoming extinct and without any habit being destroyed. This means the natural resources will still be available or future generations.

Question 23

how is conservation a dynamic process?

Answer 23

conservation is a dynamic process- conservation methods need to be adapted to the constant changes (caused naturally and by humans) that occur within ecosystems. It involves the management of ecosystems- controlling how resources are used and replaced.

Question 24

why is it believed that conservation can also involve reclamation?

Answer 24

restoring ecosystems that have been damaged or destroyed so they can be used again, e.g. restoring forests that have been cut down so they can be used again

Question 25

what are the 4 main reasons why conservation is important?

Answer 25

• economic reasons
• social reasons
• ethical reasons
• ecological reasons

Question 26

why is conservation important for economic reasons?

Answer 26

• ecosystems provide resources for lots of things that humans need, e.g. rainforests contain species that provide things like drugs, clothes and food.
• These resources re economically important because they’re traded on a local and global scale.
• If the ecosystems aren’t conserved, the resources that we use now will be lost, so there will be less trade in the future.

Question 27

why is conservation important for social reasons?

Answer 27

• many ecosystems bring joy to lots of people because they’re attractive ti look at and people use them for activities e.g. birdwatching and walking.
• The species and habitats in the ecosystems may be lost if they aren’t conserved, so future generations won’t be able to use and enjoy them.

Question 28

why is conservation important for ethical reasons?

Answer 28

• some people think we should conserve ecosystems simply because its the ‘right’ thing to do - e.g. most people think organisms have the right to exist, so they shouldn’t become extinct as a result of human activity.
• Some people think we have a moral responsibility to conserve ecosystems for future generation, so they can enjoy and use them.

Question 29

why is conservation important for ecological reaons?

Answer 29

• conserving species and habitats can help prevent climate change. E.g.- when trees are burnt Co2 is released into the atmosphere, which contributes to global warming.
• if the trees are conserved, this doesn’t happen.
• conserving species and habitats also help prevent the disruption of food chains.
• disruption of food chains can have knock-on effects on other organisms, e.g. – some species of bear feed on salmon, which feed on herring- if the number of herring decreases it can affect both the salmon and the bear population.

Question 30

what is meant by preervation?

Answer 30

preservation is different from conservation- it’s the protection of ecosystems so they’re kept exactly as the are. Nothing is removed from a preserved ecosystem and they’re only used for activities that don’t damage them.

Question 31

how is Antarctica a preserved ecosystem?

Answer 31

Antarctica is a preserved ecosystem because it’s protected from exploitation by humans- it’s only used for limited tourism and scientific research, not mining or other industrial activities.

Question 32

how can temperate woodland be managed in a sustainable way?

Answer 32

for every tree that’s cut down for timber, a new one is planted in its place. The woodland should never become depleted.

Question 33

what are 6 things that need to be done to ensure that the careful cutting down and replanting trees is done successfully?

Answer 33

1-trees are cleared in strips or patches- woodland grows back more quickly in small areas between bits of existing woodland than it does in larger, open areas

2-the cleared strips or paths aren’t too large or exposed- lots of soil erosion can occur on large areas of bare ground. If the soil is eroded, newly planted trees won’t be able to grow.

3-timber is sometimes harvested by coppicing- cutting down trees in a way that lets them grow back. this means new trees don’t need to be planted.

4-Native tree species tend to planted in preference to non- native species. this is better for biodiversity because native species have long- established interactions with other native species (e.g. plants, fungi, animals), so their presence should help species thrive in an area. Also some species might not adapt to the presence of non- native tree species.

5- planted trees are attached to posts to provide support, are grown in plastic tubes to stop being eaten by grazing animals - this makes it more likely the trees will survive to become mature adults.

6-trees aren’t planted too close together- this means the trees aren’t competing with each other for space or resources, so they’re more likely to survive.

Question 34

what is the consequence of overfishing?

Answer 34

-overfishing has led to a decline in fish stocks in many parts of the world. This may lead to some species of fish disappearing altogether in some areas, and has the potential to severely disrupt ocean food chains.

Question 35

why is fish so important?

Answer 35

• fish is an important part of many people’s diets and fishing provides employment for many people, so we need to maintain fish stocks at a level where the fish continue to breed.
• This is sustainable food production- having enough food without using resources faster than they renew.

Question 36

what are the different ways of managing fish stocks?

Answer 36

• using fishing quotas

- making regulations on mesh sizes

Question 37

what are fishing quotas and what is their aim?

Answer 37

• fishing quotas are limits to he amount of certain fish species that fishermen are allowed to catch.
• Fishing quotas are supposed to help to conserve fish species by reducing too much and the species aren’t at risk from becoming extinct.

Question 38

how are fishing quotas set?

Answer 38

• to set fishing quotas, scientists study different species and decide how big their populations need to be for them to maintain their numbers.
• Then they decide how many safe for fishermen to take without reducing the population too much.
• International agreements are then made (e.g. the Common Fisheries Policy in the EU) that state the amount of fish each country can take, and where they’re allowed to take them from.

Question 39

what are the problems with fishing quotas and how do we try to deal with them?

Answer 39

PROBLEMS:
-e.g. fish of the wrong species or size are still caught, but they end up being thrown back into the sea, often dead or dying, because the restrictions do’t allow the fishermen to bring them ashore.

SOLUTION:
-however, new rules for the Common Fisheries Policy are banning the discarding of fish like this and the whole catch will have to be brought ashore to be counted against the quota.

Question 40

how and why do governments set regulations on mesh sizes?

Answer 40

• governments can set limits for the mesh size of the fish net, which vary depending on what’s being fished.
• This reduces the number of ‘unwanted’ and discarded fish that are accidently caught, e.g. shrimp caught along with cod, as the ‘unwanted’ species can escape through the holes in larger meshes.
• It also means that younger fish will slip through the net, allowing them to reach breeding age.

Question 41

what is the problem with setting regulations on mesh sizes?

Answer 41

• however, it can be difficult to determine exactly how big the mesh size should be in areas whee several different fish species are fished for at the same time.
• And 2 nets, each of which meets regulations, could be used one inside the other so that their meshes overlap- effectively reducing the reported mesh size.

Question 42

describe the Terai Arc

Answer 42

• The Terai Arc is an area of forest forest and grasslands on the border between Nepal and India.-A variety of plants and animals are found there, including endangered species like the Bengal tiger and Asian elephant.
• Nearly 7 million people also live in this area and many of them depend on the forest’s resources to survive.

Question 43

what are the problems with the Terai Arc?

Answer 43

• areas of the forest are also being destroyed to make way for more housing and other development- this destruction of habitat brings humans and animals into the closer contact and increases conflict between the 2.
• e.g.- elephants can increase can eat and trample crop fields and tigers can kill livestock.
• This increases the likelihood of these animals being shot and killed.

Question 44

how is the ecosystem in the Terai Arc managed?

Answer 44

• conservation charity the WWF has worked with local people to help balance their needs with conserving the forest and its wildlife.
• e.g. the charity has provided people with things like solar cookers and biogas generators, so they don’t need to use woo from the fores as fuel.
• Farmers are encouraged to plant mint hedges around their crops to keep animals (which don’t like the taste of mint) away.

Question 45

describe the Maasai Mara

Answer 45

• The Maasai Mara is a national reserve in Kenya.
• It’s a large area of grassland (savannah), which is home to huge populations of wildebeest and zebra, as well as lion and cheetahs.

-The Maasai Mara is named after the Maasai people who live in the area.

Question 46

what are the problems with the Maasai Arc?

Answer 46

• The Maasai people traditionally earn a living by rising livestock, such as cattle.
• This can bring them into conflict with conservationists - e.g. overgrazing by livestock can destroy grassland and wildlife.

Question 47

how is the ecosystem in the Maasai Mara managed?

Answer 47

• conservation trusts are working with the Maasai people to help them make money from their land through conservation and ecotourism projects rather than farming, and to farm in a sustainable way.
• so, the economic needs of the Maasai people are met, while still allowing the area to be conserved

Question 48

describe the UK peat bogs

Answer 48

• lots of upland pars of the UK are home to peat bogs- areas of wet peat.
• These peat bogs store water and CO2, and are home to lots of different plants and animals, such as Sphagnum moss- these mosses actually help the peat bog form by retaining water.

Question 49

how is the ecosystem in the UK peat bogs managed?

Answer 49

-recent government-funded programmes, like the Environmental Stewardship Scheme, have given farmers money to use the peat bogs in a sustainable way, e.g. to carry out measures to reduce water run off, to lower the number of livestock that use the peat bogs, and to remove livestock over winter.

Question 50

what are the 5different ways that human activities effect the Galapagos Islands?

Answer 50

• explorers and sailors that visited the Galapagos Islands in the 19th century directly affected the populations some animals by eating them.
• Non- native animals introduced to the islands eat some native species. This has caused a decrease in the populations of native species.
• Non- native plants have also been introduced to the islands. these compete with native plant species causing their populations to decrease.
• fishing has cased a decrease in the populations of some of the sea life around the Galapagos Islands.
• A recent increase in tourism (from 41 000 tourists in 1991 to over 210 000 in 2014) has led to an increase on development on the islands. the population on the islands has also increased due to the increased opportunities from tourism. This could lead to further development and so more damage to the ecosystems.

Question 51

how do we try to help control the impact of humans on the Galapagos Islands?

Answer 51

• eradication programmes have removed wild goats from some of the smaller islands and wild dogs from the largest island.
• Quinine trees are kept in check using chemical herbicides and by uprooting young trees.
• A marine protected area has been established around the islands, which sets limits and controls on fishing.
• when people visit the Galapagos National Park they are expected to follow a list of rules, which includes not bringing any live plants or animals onto the islands, or moving them between the islands.
• People are also only allowed to visit the Galapagos National Park in the company of a licensed guide.

Question 52

describe Antartica

Answer 52

• Antarctica is the world’s southernmost continent.-It has a unique icy landscape with plants and animals that have adapted to its harsh conditions.
• for at least 200years it has attracted visitors, e.g. research scientists and tourists.
• The waters around Antarctica support high levels of primary productivity during the Antarctic summer, and are home to penguins and numerous other seabirds, whales, seals and any species of fish.

Question 53

what are the effects of human activities on Antarctica?

Answer 53

• historically, hunting of various animals around Antarctica was a large industry.
• during the 20th century, whaling in the waters surrounding Antarctica was intense, leading to a huge decrease in whale numbers.
• As a result of this hunting, the Antarctic blue whale is critically endangered. and the populations of other species of whale have bee severely depleted.
• Seal hunting in the 19th century drove the Antarctic fur seal to the brink of extinction.
• The seas around Antarctic are still exploited by fishing vessels.
• Human activities can also lead to problems with pollution.
• In the past, visitors to Antarctica have dumped sewage into the sea and left behind rubbish.
• Shipping accident have led to oil spills, which severely affect wildlife.

Question 54

how do we help control the impact of humans on Antarctica?

Answer 54

• the continent of Antarctica is internationally protected by the Antarctic Treaty, and is now treated as a nature reserve.
• Commercial whaling was banned completely in the ocean surrounding Antarctica in 1994, and seal hunting has been banned for longer.
• Populations of the Antarctic fur seal have now recovered, but the populations of many species of whale are still considered to be dangerously low.
• Fishing still occurs, but within limits set with the help of scientists.
• To reduce the impact of pollution, all waste apart from food waste and sewage must be taken away by ship for disposal in other countries.
• Many research stations now treat their sewage before releasing it, to reduce its effects on the environment.
• Ships that use thick oil as a fuel are now banned from Antarctic waters, as heavy spills are likely to cause more damage and be harder to clean up than spills of lighter fuels.
• to prevent damage by tourists, tourist restrictions have been introduced- e.g. tourists are only allowed on land at certain locations for a few hours.

Question 55

what effect does human activities have in the Lake District and Snowdonia?

Answer 55

• many of the visitorsto the Lek District go walking on the regon’s footpaths/
• This leads to the erosion of the footpaths and the loss of soil from hillsides.
• Soil that ends up in waterways and lakes can disturb the pH of the water, causing knock-on effects for wildlife.
• As the paths become harder to walk on, people can start to trample and destroy the sensitive vegetation either side of the paths.
• It’s a similar story in Snowdonia- a lot of rain falls in the Snowdonia hills, which leads to the erosion of he paths.
• Walkers often trample the surrounding vegetation as they try to walk around the floods.

Question 56

how does human activities lead to pollution in the Lake District and Snowdonia?

Answer 56

• the Lake District also has problems with water pollution in some areas.
• Phosphates in fertilisers used on farms, in detergents used for cleaning clothes and dishes and in water released by local sewage works have accumulated in some of the lakes.
• These act as fertilisers for algal growth, and can contribute to algal blooms, which deoxygenate the water and can kill fish.

Question 57

how do help control the human impact on the Lake District and Snowdonia?

Answer 57

• To counteract footpaths erosion in the Lake District, conservation charities and the Lake District National Park Authority attempt to carry out regular repair and maintenance work on the paths and encourage the regrowth of damaged vegetation.
• walkers are also educated about the importance of sticking to the paths and not taking short cuts, as these increase erosion.
• In Snowdonia, volunteers have dug drain next to the paths to prevent them from flooding.
• The pollution problem in the Lake District has been tackled by improving sewage treatment in the area supplying grants to local farmers to improve farming practices an encouraging local businesses and residents to only use detergents that are phosphate- free.

Question 58

what is meant by ecosystem services?

Answer 58

-benefit people obtain from ecosystems are sometimes called ‘ecosystem services’. These include things like the pollination of crop plants by wild insects as well as resources that can be harvested like wood and food.

Question 59

where is temperate woodland found?

Answer 59

temperate woodland is found between the tropics and the polar circles (so the UK has temperate woodland).

Question 60

why can it be difficult to manage conflicts between the environment and humans?

Answer 60

e. g.- the best solution for fish stocks might be to completely ban fishing fro a time, but this may not be acceptable to people who depend on fishing for their food and livelihoods.
- Policy-makers need to weigh up the ethical arguments relating to humans and the environment, as well as the scientific evidence, when making conservation decisions.

Question 61

why are peat bogs really useful to humans?

Answer 61

-by holding water in the landscape they can help to reduce flooding, and by storing CO2 they may be useful in combatting climate change.

Question 62

what is meant by primary production?

Answer 62

• primary production is the conversion of the Sun’s energy to chemical energy via photosynthesis.
• Photosynthetic algae grow well around Antarctica in the Antarctic summer, as days are long and the water is nutrient- rich.

Question 63

other than human activity, what other threats does Antarctica face?

Answer 63

-Antarctica is also threatened by global warming- changes in sea temperature could affect algae and fish populations, and the populations of animals that feed on them.
Melting sea ice may negatively affect some of the species of penguin that breed in these areas

Question 64

draw and label a graph for the growth curve of most natural populations which is often referred to as a sigmoid population growth curve.

Answer 64

insert pic from page 632 KERBOODLE bottom

Question 65

write a description for each of the 3 stages of the growth curve

Answer 65

PHASE 1- a period of SLOW GROWTH. The small numbers of individuals that are initially present reproduce increasing the total population. As the birth rate is higher than the death rate, the population increases in size.

PHASE 2-a period of RAPID GROWTH. As the number of breeding individuals increases, the total population multiplies exponentially. No constraints act to limits the population explosion.

PHASE 3- A STABLE POPULATION. a further population growth is prevented by external constraints. During this time the population size fluctuates, but overall its size remains relatively stable. Birth rates and death rates are approximately equal. Slight increases and decreases can be accounted for by fluctuations in limiting factors, such the presence of predators.

Question 66

what are the 2 types of migration and what do they lead to?

Answer 66

-migration is another important variable which affects population size is migration.

=IMMIGRATION- the movement of individual organisms into a particular area increases population size.
=EMIGRATION-the movement of individual organisms away from a particular area decreases population size.

Question 67

what is meant by density independent factors?

Answer 67

-density independent factors are factors that have an affect on the whole population regardless of its size. These can dramatically change population size. These factors include earthquakes, fires, volcanic eruptions, and storms. In some cases, these factors can remove whole populations of a species from a region.

Question 68

what is considered to be the most important biotic factor?

Answer 68

-competition

Question 69

what is the formula used to calculate how much a population has grown in a certain period of time?

Answer 69

population growth (%) = (population change during the period / population at the start of the period) *100

Question 70

what is meant by competitive exclusion principle?

Answer 70

where 2 species are compering for limited resources, the one that a uses the resources more effectively will ultimately eliminate the other.

Question 71

draw and describe a graph for the effects of intraspecific competition over time.

Answer 71

insert pic from page 636 KERBOODLE

STAGE 1 - when a resource is plentiful in a habitat (such as food or space), all organisms have enough of the resource to survive and reproduce. This results in an increase in population size.

STAGE 2 - as a result of the increased population there are many more individuals that share the food or space available. Resources are now limited; not enough is available for all organisms to survive. The population will decrease in size.

STAGE 3 - less competition exists as the smaller population means less organisms are competing for the same resources. This means more organisms survive and reproduce, resulting in population growth.

CYCLE REPEATS

Question 72

draw and describe a predator - prey graph (4 stages)

Answer 72

STAGE 1 - an increase in the prey population provides more food for the predators, allowing more to survive and reproduce. This in turn results in an increase in the predator population.

STAGE 2 - the increased predator population eats more prey organisms, causing a decline in the prey population. The death ate of the prey population is greater than its birth rate.

STAGE 3 - the reduced prey population can no longer support the large predator population. Intraspecific competition food increases, resulting in a decrease in the size of the predator population.

STAGE 4 - reduced predator numbers result in loss of the prey population being killed. More prey organisms survive and reproduce, increasing the prey population- the cycle beings again.

Question 73

what is a sustainable resource?

Answer 73

it’s a renewable resource that is being economically exploited in such a way that it will not diminish or run out

Question 74

what are the aims of sustainability (5)?

Answer 74

• preseve the envornment
• ensure resources are available for future generations
• allow humans in all societies to live comfortably
• enable less economically developed countries (LEDCs) to develop, through exploiting their natural resources
• create a more even balance in the consumption of these resources between more economically developed countries (MEDCs) and LEDCs.

Question 75

is sustainable management of forest possible, what does it lead to and what does it depend on?

Answer 75

• the sustainable management of forests is possible.
• this allows for the maintenance of a forest’s biodiversity, while sustaining both our supply of wood to meet demands and the economic viability of timber production.
• the technique used depend on the scale of timber production.

Question 76

what technique do we use to produce sustainable timber on a small scale?

Answer 76

coppicing

Question 77

what is coppicing?

Answer 77

• this is a technique where a tree trunk is cut close to the ground.
• new shoots form from the cut surface and mature.
• eventually these shoots are cut and in their place more are produced.-these shoots have many uses, including fencing.

Question 78

what is meant by rotational coppicing?

Answer 78

• the woodland is divided into sections and trees are only cut in a particular section until all have been coppiced.
• coppicing then begins in another area allowing time for the newly coppiced trees to grow.-this process continues until you reach the trees that were first coppiced.
• these will now have grown to mature- sized trees, and the cycle begins again.

Question 79

what does rotational coppicing lead to?

Answer 79

• rotational coppicing maintains biodiversity as the trees will never grow enough to block out the light.
• hence, succession cannot occur and so more species can survive.

Question 80

describe an alternative technique to coppicing

Answer 80

• pollarding
• the technique is similar to coppicing, but the trunk is cut higher up so deer and other animals cannot eat the new shoots as they appear

Question 81

what technique is used in large scale timber production?

Answer 81

• the technique of felling large areas of forest.

- the felled trees are destroyed and will not regrow

Question 82

what do timber companies do to ensure that production is sustainable?

Answer 82

• practise selective cutting, which involves removing only the largest trees.
• replace trees through replanting rather than waiting for natural regeneration. This also helps to ensure that the biodiversity and mineral and water cycles are maintained.
• plant trees an optimal distance apart to reduce competition. This results in higher yields as more wood is produced per tree.
• manage pests and pathogens to maximise yields.
• ensure that areas of forest remain for indigenous people

Question 83

what is a disadvantage of felling large areas of forests?

Answer 83

• the major disadvantage of this technique is that habitats are destroyed, soil minerals are reduced, and the bare soil which is left is susceptible to erosion.
• trees are important for binding soil together, removing water from soil, and maintaining nutrient levels though their role in the carbon and nitrogen cycles.

Question 84

other than fishing quotas, what techniques can be used to reduce overfishing?

Answer 84

• the use of nets with different mesh sizes.
• allowing commercial and recreational fishing only at certain times of the year. This protects the breeding season of some fish species and allows the fish levels to increase back to a sustainable level.
• The introduction of fish farming to maintain the supply of protein food, whilst preventing the loss of wild species.

Question 85

what is ecotourism?

Answer 85

ecotourism is tourism directed towards natural environments, to support conservation efforts and observe wildlife.

Question 86

what are the 3 key principles of ecorourism?

Answer 86

1- ensure that tourism doesn’t exploit the natural environment or local communities

2- consult and engage with local communities on planned developments

3-ensure that infrastructure improvements benefit local people as well as visitors

Question 87

what are some successes for the community forestry groups in Nepal?

Answer 87

• significant improvement in the conservation of the forested regions, both in terms of increased area and improved density
• improved soil and water management across the region
• an increase in the retail price of forestry products, and so a greater economic input to the region
• employment and income generation through forest protection, as well as through the production of non- timber forest products
• sustainable wood fuel sources, which contribute three- quarters of the local household energy needs
• securing the biodiversity of the forested areas

Question 88

what are some management strategies for sustainable land use, to prevent damage of the ecosystem including the further degradation of the Terai forests?

Answer 88

• promoting the production of fruits and veg in the hills and mountain regions to avoid further intensification of the Terai.
• improving irrigation facilities to enhance crop production
• multiple cropping, where more than 1 crop is grown on a piece of land each growing season
• the growth of nitrogen-fixing crops such as pulses and legumes to enhance the fertility of the soil
• growing crop varieties to various oil, climatic, and biotic challenges through the use of modern biotech and genetic engineering
• improving fertilisation techniques to enhance crop yields- e.g.- using manure to improve the nutrient content of the soil

Question 89

what are some steps taken to conserve areas of lowland bog?

Answer 89

• ensuring that the peat and vegetation of the of surface is disturbed and as wet as possible. Most bogs are surrounded by ditches to allow water to run off, preventing flooding of nearby land. In restoring a bog, ditch blocking may be required for a period of time to raise the water table to the bog surface
• removal of seedling trees from the area. Trees have a higher water requirement dur to transpiration. Therefore, any tree seedling that has the potential to remove water from an area of peatland, or to reduce its ability to support bog vegetation, should be removed to maintain water levels in the area
• using controlled grazing to maintain the biodiversity of peatland. Grazing ensures a diverse wetland surface in terms of structure and species composition. This in turn provides a wide range of habitats for many rare insect species.

Question 90

what are 5 management techniques that are usually used in sensitive areas?

Answer 90

• limiting the areas tourists can visit
• controlling the movement of livestock
• introducing anti-poaching measures
• replanting of forests and native plants
• limiting hunting through quotas and seasonal bans

Question 91

since the establishment of the Galapagos National Park, what measures have been taken to protect the living and non- living parts of this unique ecosystem?

Answer 91

• introduction of park- rangers across the islands
• limiting human access to particular islands, or specific parts of islands
• controlling migration to and from the islands
• strict controls over movement of introduced animals such as pigs (the presence of these were noted by Darwin)

Question 92

how are 4 ways that human activity negatively impacts Antarctica?

Answer 92

• planet-wide impacts such as global warming (causing some parts of the coastal ice sheet to break up) and ozone depletion, caused by humans activities elsewhere
• hunting of whales and seals, and fishing of some Antarctic species, has depleted stocks of these organisms
• soil contamination, particularly around scientific research stations
• discharging of waste into the sea, including human sewage.

Question 93

what are some provisions in the Antarctic treaty?

Answer 93

• scientific cooperation between nations
• protection of the Antarctic environment
• conservation of plants and animals
• designation and management of protected areas
• management of tourism

Question 94

what are the key purposes of Snowdonia National Park?

Answer 94

• conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife, and cultural heritage of the area
• promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the Park
• enhance the economic and social well- being of communities within the Park