Threats to biodiversity

Question 1

What are the indirect effects of humans on biodiversity?

Answer 1

RAPID POPULATION GROWTH DEVELOPMENT/ INFRASTRUCTURE AGRICULTURE POLLUTION EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION

Question 2

What are the causes of habitat loss and fragmentation?

Answer 2

LANDSCAPE MODIFIED BY HUMAN ACTIVITIES : INFRASTRUCTURE – ROADS, RAIL ETC. LAND CLEARANCE: AGRICULTURE, INDUSTRIAL ETC. FORESTRY DEVELOPMENT: RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL ETC RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Question 3

What is the definition of pollution?

Answer 3

The discharge of a toxic or contaminating substance that is likely to have an adverse effect on the natural environment or life

Question 4

What are the categories of pollution?

Answer 4

Acids and Alkalis Anions Detergents Domestic Sewage Farms waste Food waste Gases Heat Metals Nutrients Oil and oil dispersants Organic toxic wastes Pathogens Pesticides Polychlorinated biphenols Radionuclides

Question 5

What are the four effects of pollution and their calculations? e.g. Additive….Antago….

Answer 5

Additive (1+1=2) Antagonistic (1+1=0) Synergistic (1+1=3) Potentiating (0+1=3)

Question 6

What are the six main types of pollution?

Answer 6

Air pollution Water pollution Soil pollution Noise pollution Radioactive pollution Thermal pollution.

Question 7

What are the causes of air pollution?

Answer 7

Vehicle fumes Industry Forest fires Agriculture

Question 8

What are the causes of water pollution?

Answer 8

Synthetic agricultural pesticides Heavy metals Excess organic matter Rubbish

Question 9

What are the causes of soil pollution?

Answer 9

Chemical spills Improper waste disposal Industrial activity

Question 10

What are the causes of noise pollution?

Answer 10

Traffic Industry Urbanization

Question 11

What is the cause of radioactive pollution?

Answer 11

Improper waste disposal

Question 12

What is the cause of thermal pollution?

Answer 12

Burning of fossil fuels Deforestation Soil erosion

Question 13

What types of disease are there?

Answer 13

Pathogens; Fungi Bacteria Viruses

Question 14

Give an example of a disease affecting biodiversity

Answer 14

Chestnut Blight. Found on American chestnut in 1904 Virtually wiped out by 1950 Also effects European chestnut, but is more resistant

Question 15

Give two examples of invasive species

Answer 15

Himalayan Balsam Signal crayfish

Question 16

Define over-exploitation

Answer 16

Overexploitation is the over use of wildlife and plant species by people for food, clothing, pets, medicine, sport and many other purposes.

Question 17

Through which measures do we over-exploit?

Answer 17

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing,

Question 18

Give three organisations that implement policy in wildlife trade

Answer 18

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) EU Wildlife Trade Regulation Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking (CAWT) National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU)

Question 19

What are the consequences of climate change

Answer 19

GLOBAL TEMPERATURE AND RAINFALL FLUCTUATIONS EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS SEA LEVEL RISE AIR QUALITY WATER QUALITY AND AVAILABILITY CONDITIONS AND RESOURCES CHANGING SPECIES INTERACTIONS AND COMPOSITIONS FRAGMENTATION REDUCES SPECIES ABILITY TO MIGRATE TO SUITABLE HABITATS IMPACTING ON ALL ECOSYSTEMS, THEREFORE POTENTIAL AFFECTING ALL SPECIES INCLUDING HUMANS