The challenges of biodiversity Flashcards
biodiversity
the variety of living organisms in an area
what are the reasons why maintaining biodiversity important?
-economic factors
-ecological factors
-aesthetics
-ethics
what are the economic reasons for maintaining biodiversity?
-ecotourism
-medicine
-technological ideas
-crops
-food fuel
what are the ecological reasons for maintaining biodiversity?
-protect keystone species
-interdependence of organisms
-carbon, water & nitrogen cycle
-pollination
-keeping soil fertile
what are the aesthetic reasons for maintaining biodiversity?
-well being
-patients recover quicker
what are the ethical reasons for maintaining biodiversity?
-no right to cause extinction
-all organisms have a right to life
what impacts are humans having on biodiversity?
-climate change
-deforestation
-hunting/fishing
-pollution
-agriculture
how does deforestation affect biodiversity?
-removes habitats/less species
-less CO2 taken in for photosynthesis (more CO2 in atmosphere)
how does pollution affect biodiversity?
burning fossil fuels/cars
how does agriculture affect biodiversity?
-removes hedgerows (habitats)
-use of pesticides / herbicides
-monoculture reduces biodiversity
what are some conservation methods?
-protected habitats
-education to make people aware
-captive breeding to help endangered species
-seed banks from rare plants
-legal protection to stop hunting
-reintroduction of native species
what are the three strands that contribute to a strong biodiversity?
-ecosystem diversity
-species diversity
-genetic diversity
how does genetic diversity benefit an organism and help to maintain biodiversity?
allows them to cope with changes
why would the removal of one species from the Amazon rainforest not cause the ecosystem to collapse?
the volume of species is so large and the ecosystem is so complex with lots of genetic biodiversity that removing one species wouldn’t do anything
what term is used to describe the coral in a coral reef?
keystone organism
what happens when coral is destroyed on a reef?
the whole ecosystem collapses
how can ecotourism contribute towards maintaining biodiversity?
-supports conservation efforts
-funds protection of species
-makes sure ecosystem is not affected negatively
-puts restrictions in where people can go
name some conservation agreements
-IUCN (publishes a ‘Red List’)
-CITES of Wil Fauna and Flora
-Rio Conventions requires countries to develop strategies for sustainable development
-country specific agreements through governments
