Populations and sustainability

Question 1

What is the maximum size of a population known as?

Answer 1

Carrying capacity

Question 2

What is a limiting factor in terms of population size?

Answer 2

A factor that restricts the final size of a population

Question 3

What is it called when plants release toxic or inhibitory chemicals into their surroundings?

Answer 3

Allelopathy

Question 4

What is conservation?

Answer 4

The sustainable and active management of ecosystems to maintain biodiversity

Question 5

What is preservation?

Answer 5

Maintenance of ecosystems in their original state (without interference) - preventing human use or interference

Question 6

What is reclamation?

Answer 6

Restoring damaged ecosystems

Question 7

What is ecological sustainability?

Answer 7

Exploitation of resources without compromising biodiversity or the ability to meet future requirements - ensuring resources are renewable and will not run out

Question 8

What sort of ecosystem is the Masai Mara in Kenya and how is it conserved?

Answer 8

It is a savannah ecosystem with large zebra, buffalo, elephant, lion populations
Promotion of ecotourism (attempts to balance conservation with tourism, as well as benefitting local people)
Prevention of rhino poaching (nature reserve rangers employed)
Legal hunting allowed in some cases - culling animals considered to be in excess
Semi-nomadic farming prevented - moving area as climate changes - vegetation can recover, soil erosion prevented

Question 9

What sort of ecosystem is the Terai region of Nepal and how is it conserved?

Answer 9

Highly biodiverse forest - hot and humid, heavy deforestation and agricultural use
Sustainable forest management (e.g. harvesting quotas)
Improved irrigation schemes (to increase efficiency of agricultural production and decrease waste of water)
Encouragement of fruit and vegetable growing in nearby regions to relieve the pressure of intensive farming on the Terai region

Question 10

Peat bogs

Answer 10

Ground with high water content, anaerobic conditions and decomposing vegetation - natural stores of CO2 - peat can be removed for use as a fuel to improve farm soils - contains rare species
Blocking ditches that have been constructed to prevent flooding on neighbouring land - raises water levels in the peat bog.
Removal of trees and prevention of afforestation (as trees have high water demand and reduce the water content of bogs)

Question 11

Galapagos islands

Answer 11

Environmentally sensitive ecosystem (especially vulnerable to change) - contains unique species, e.g. Galapagos giant tortoise
Limiting and managing tourism, with park rangers to monitor conservation products and tourists
Strict controls over the movement of introduced animals (e.g. goats and pigs)