Populations and Sustainability

Question 1

What is intraspecific competition?

Answer 1

Between the same species e.g. for mates

Question 2

What is interspecific competition?

Answer 2

Between different species e.g. for nutrients in soil, water, sunlight

Question 3

What is carrying capacity?

Answer 3

Maximum population an ecosystem can hold sustainably

Question 4

What limiting factors affect carrying capacity?

Answer 4

> predation
temperature
light intensity
food and water supply
keep populations at a steady level
competition

Question 5

How can timber production be made a sustainable resource?

Answer 5

> replanting trees
maintain biodiversity in woodlands
only cut parts of woodland

Question 6

How can the fishing industry be made sustainable?

Answer 6

> reduce overfishing
impose quotas
change equipment to prevent other species being caught

Question 7

What are some effects of human activities?

Answer 7

> exploitation of habitats
pollution
reduction in biodiversity
e.g. Galapagos Islands

Question 8

How can the effects of human activities be controlled?

Answer 8

> preservation
education
prevent introduction of non-native species

Question 9

What are two areas where there is conflict between conservation and preservation with human needs?

Answer 9

> Masai Mara in Kenya
Terai region in Nepal

Question 10

What are reasons for conservation and preservation?

Answer 10

> maintenance of an ecosystem and biodiversity
prevent exploitation and harm to ecosystem
protects biodiversity - ethical reasons
for aesthetics and recreation
economical reasons - ecotourism, sustainable resources, materials

Question 11

What happens in predator-prey relationship?

Answer 11

> cycles of fluctuations in predator and prey populations
too much predation - prey population can recover, predators die