Sustainability Flashcards
Define conservation
The maintenance of biodiversity
Define preservation
Protection of an area by restricting or banning human use- so that the ecosystem is kept exactly as it is
Explain the difference between conservation and preservation
Conservation maintains biodiversity whereas preservation leaves ecosystems undisturbed
Give 3 examples of conservation
- burning of moorland to prevent it becoming woodland
- wildlife reserves
- botanic gardens
- seed banks
Give 3 examples of preservation
- international agreement preventing large scale human activity in Antarctica
- only scientists are allowed on the island of Surtsey in Iceland
- preventing or limiting access to some Galapagos islands
- gating pristine caves
Give 3 aesthetic reasons for maintaining biodiversity
- provides inspiration for people e.g. musicians
- enriches our lives
- patients recover more quickly from stress or injury when exposed to the natural world
Give 4 economic reasons for maintaining biodiversity
- soil erosion and desertification reduce crop yields
- biodiversity attracts tourism so brings money into an area
- prevents extinction of species with, as yet undiscovered, economic value
- important to conserve all organisms that we use to make things
Give 2 ecological reasons for maintaining biodiversity
- all organisms are interdependent on others for their survival
- some species play a key role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community
Define sustainability
Avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance
Define sustainable resource
A renewable resource which is being economically exploited in such a way it will not diminish or run out
What are the 5 aims of sustainability?
- preserve the environment
- ensure resources are available for future generations
- allow humans in all societies to live comfortably
- enable LEDCs to develop through exploiting their natural resources
- create a more even balance in the consumption of these resources between MEDCs and LEDCs
Describe 3 things that can be done to reduce demand for a resource
- using resources more efficiently
- reuse products
- technological improvements
Give two methods of small scale timber production
Coppicing
Pollarding
Describe coppicing
- in winter trees are cut down, close to the base
- trees cut on 7-20 year rotation to allow time for regrowth
Describe pollarding
- deer and other animals cannot eat regrowth
- all growth removed above 2-3 metres
What is rotational coppicing?
- woodland is divided into different sections
- these different sections are cut down at different times of
- gives chance for regrowth
Give an advantage to the ecosystem of coppicing
Biodiversity of the forest is maintained or improved as succession cannot occur
Give an advantage to the ecosystem of pollarding
Allows more light to reach the ground so encourages plant growth
Give an advantage of pollarding over coppicing
- new growth is protected from grazers e.g. deer
- tree trunks provide a habitat that is absent in coppiced trees.
How can large scale timber production be made more sustainable?
- selective cutting so only the largest/most valuble trees are cut down
- replace trees by replanting
- ensure areas of forest remain for indigenous people
- ensuring each tree supplies more wood, by positioning trees at optimal distance and controlling disease/pests
What are the disadvantages of large scale timber production?
- reduced mineral levels in soil
- soil susceptible to erosion
- habitats are destroyed
What are the differences between large and small scale timber production?
- in large scale larger areas of trees are felled
- in large scale felled trees are destroyed and will not regrow
Give an example of a policy which aims to ensure sustainable fishing and explain what it does
Common Fisheries Policy in the EU
-puts fishing quotas in place and limits no. certain species of fish that are allowed to be caught in a certian area
Give 3 methods to make fishing more sustainable
- Fish farming
- Better designed nets
- Timing catches
Explain how better designed nets can make fishing more sustainable
- larger meshes allow immature fish to escape so breeding can continue
- larger mesh ensures on mature fish are caught
- by catch can be reduced
Explain how timing catches can make fishing more sustainable
- allowing fishing only at certain times of the year
- protects breeding season so populations can increase
Explain how fish farming can make fishing more sustainable
-reduces the number of wild caught fish needed to meet demand
What are catchable fish limits?
- limits no. fish per day that can be caught
- ensures a safe minimum spawning population is maintained
Why have people reduced the number of acacia bushes in the Masai Mara National Park?
Acacia bushes provide habitat for tsetse flies which are a vector for sleeping sickness
What have the human impacts on the Masai Mara National Park been?
- Acacia bushes reduced
- Vegetation removed to provide space for more housing
- Increase in commercial farming
Define ecotourism
Tourism directed towards natural environments to support conservation efforts and observe wildlife
What are the benefits of ecotourism?
- provides economic input into local community
- raises awareness of local issues
- less damaging than agriculture
What are the 3 principles of ecotourism?
- ensure tourism doesn’t harm the natural environment
- consult and engage with local communities
- ensure infrastructure developments benefit local people
Give 3 negative impacts of ecotourism
- traditional cultural practices can be lost
- more strain on local infrastructure
- litter and soil erosion due to tourists
What is the main reason the black rhino is under threat?
Poaching for use of horn in traditional medicine
What conservation efforts have been made for the black rhino?
- reserve rangers employed
- communication equipment and vehicles provided to rangers
Name 3 conflicts which occur in the Masai Mara national park
- land in needed for homes, cattle, and agriculture
- fencing land reduces elephant damage to crops but impacts natural migration patterns
- hunting and poaching provides food and livelihood but reduces animal population sizes
Name 2 human impacts on the Terai region, Nepal
- large areas of land have been cleared for illegal logging
- effects of monsoon flooding have been exacerbated
Name 3 human impacts on peat bogs
- mechanical extraction of peat leads to deep draining of peat lands
- Peat is used as a fuel releasing CO2 which was once stored in the peat
- afforestation has caused the loss of peat bogs
Name 3 measures to conserve peat bogs
- ditch blocking
- removal of tree seedlings
- controlled grazing
How does ditch blocking help to conserve peat bogs?
Prevents water from bog running off in ditches, so raises the water table
How does removal of tree seedlings help to conserve peat bogs?
Prevents water being transported from the bog via transpiration so water levels are maintained
How does controlled grazing help to conserve peat bogs?
Ensures biodiversity is maintained as succession is not allowed to occur
What measures have been taken to protect the Galapagos Islands?
- creation of the Galapagos National Park
- limiting human access to islands
- park rangers employed
- control over movement of introduced animals
What measures have been taken to protect the Antarctic?
- antarctic treaty
- management of tourism
- designation of protected areas
