Threats from pollution and non-native species Flashcards
How does pollution threaten biodiversity?
Eutrophication
Sound and light pollution
Siltation
Chemical and plastic pollution
Hormone disruptors
Ocean acidification
Acid rain (Atmospheric sulfur dioxide and oxides of Nitrogen
What is Siltation and how is it bad?
The deposition of particles in water is caused by clearance for agriculture.
- This blocks the feeding apparatus for filter feeders.
- Smothers fish eggs
- And blocks light-starving primary producers.
How do hormone disruptors threaten biodiversity?
They cause abnormal development
e.g., Dogwhelks gonads were affected meaning they couldn’t reproduce.
How does Sound and light pollution affect biodiversity?
Artificial light, buildings, and streetlights can disorient and kill Birds, bats, insects, and hatchling turtles.
Artificial sounds from boats and seismic surveys can cause direct harm to cetaceans and cause stress to fish.
How does Acid rain threaten biodiversity?
Causes leaching of nutrients from soils and disrupts the development of amphibians.
What is NNS and INNS?
NNS- Species introduced outside its natural past/present distribution.
INNS- Non-native species that can cause problems for humans (e.g. affects ecosystem services).
What is the 10’s rule?
10% of non-native species will survive and become established.
- Establishment depends on:
Propagule pressure and frequency of introductions.
Give some examples of global invasive species and some general characteristics.
Cat, rats etc .
General characteristics include:
High reproductive rate
short generation time
Ability to live in diverse environments.
Associated with human activities and environmental disturbances.
Good dispersal abilities
Ability to outcompete natives
Why is the chytrid fungus a threat to biodiversity?
Lives on the skin of amphibians and eats keratin.
Will kill an adult frog in under three weeks and will not affect tadpoles (which are carriers of the fungus).
Has infected 350 amphibian spp.
