08. Environmental Biology Flashcards
(208 cards)
1
Q
Why learn environmental biology?
A
To understand how biotic and abiotic components of the environment are linked and interact with each other.
To recognize organizational levels of the environment.
To learn about the major processes of an ecosystem.
To recognize different components of terrestrial and aquatic ecology.
To understand how human activities are altering ecological systems
To understand how natural changes in the environment (climate change, flooding, erosion, etc.) affects species and habitats.
2
Q
What are the organizational levels of the environment?
A
Individual/Organism
↓
Population
↓
Community
↓
Ecosystem
↓
Biosphere
3
Q
What are the major abiotic components?
A
Water
Air
Light
Temperature
Nutrients
Sunlight
Soil
4
Q
What are the biotic components?
A
Plants
Animals
Fungi
Bacteria
Protists
5
Q
What does an organism’s niche include?
A
How organisms interact with other organisms
Its role in recycling nutrients
Tolerance to environmental conditions (temperature, soil moisture)
6
Q
What are the environmental factors used in describing a habitat?
A
- Average amount of sunlight received each day
- Range of annual temperature
- Average yearly rainfall
7
Q
Give examples for biotic-biotic interactions
A
Competition
Feeding relationships
Symbiotic relationships between individuals and species
8
Q
Give examples for biotic-abiotic interactions
A
water uptake of plants from soil
9
Q
Give examples for abiotic-abiotic interactions
A
Chemical reactions occurring in the soil
10
Q
Give examples for a pyramid of number
A
UPRIGHT PYRAMID
Aquatic and grassland ecosystems where small autotrophs support lesser herbivores in turn supporting a smaller number of carnivores
INVERTED PYRAMID
Relationship between host and parasite
11
Q
Give examples for pyramids of biomass
A
Upright pyramid of biomass- forest ecosystem
Inverted pyramid of biomass- In some aquatic ecosystems, phytoplanktons supports larger primary consumers.
12
Q
Where are tropical forests located in?
A
It is distributed close to the equator and it extends up to the sub equatorial regions
13
Q
What is the average annual rainfall in tropical rain forests?
In tropical dry forests?
A
2000-4000 mm
1500-2000 mm
14
Q
How long is the period of dry season along with a seasonal rainfall?
A
6-7 months
15
Q
What is the average temperature of tropical rainforests?
A
25-29c
16
Q
What is the average temperature of tropical dry forests?
A
33c
17
Q
What are the visible layers of the tropical rainforest?
What is it followed by?
A
Emergent Layer
Canopy
Sub Canopy
It’s followed by understory layer which consists of shrubs and large herbaceous plants
18
Q
What is the forest floor consisted of?
A
Small, herbaceous plants
Mushrooms
Thick layer of dried plant litter
19
Q
What can be observed in vegetation of rainforests?
A
Vegetation is arranged in several layers.
Stratification is observed.
20
Q
What are prominent in tropical rainforests?
A
Evergreens
21
Q
.What are prominent in dry forests?
A
Deciduous species.
Shrubs with thorns
Succulent plants
22
Q
What is common to the tropical forest biome?
A
Epiphytes are common in this biome. In dry forests they are less common.
23
Q
What are the animal species in the tropical rainforests?
A
Many mammal species
5-30 million arthropods which have not been fully described yet
24
Q
What are the adaptations shown by animals in tropical rainforests?
A
Animals show year round activity
Camouflage is common among small animals
Large animals may have markings on their bodies
Birds migrate to other regions during dry period
25
What led to the destruction of tropical rainforests?
Human involvement in agriculture
Development related activities
26
What is the location of savannas?
It is spread close to the equator and subequatorial areas
27
What is the average annual rainforest in savannas?
300 - 500 ml
28
How long is the dry season in the savanna?
8-9 months
29
What is the average temperature range in the savanna?
24-29c
30
What kind of variations occur in the subequatorial areas of the savanna?
seasonal variations
31
What is a savanna characterized by?
Landscape that supports scattered trees in a tall grass cover
32
What are the adaptations of the savanna vegetation?
Grasses that are adapted to withstand drought naturally grow in savannas
The grasses have a very good underground connectivity
A few herbs found among the grass cover contains small leaves to reduce transpiration.
It contains thorns to be protected from herbivores
Seasonal variations encourage a fresh growth of grasses to compensate the loss of biomass due to consumption by herbivores
33
What are common animals in this(savana) region?
Many insects (mainly termites)
Lions
Zebras
34
What are the adaptations of the savanna animals?
Many animals have effective locomotion for long distance migration
Long range vision for hunting
35
What is the cause for the deterioration of the savanna biome?
Human settlements from very early times
Due to the raring of cattle and hunting of animals by humans the mammal population decreased
Fires caused by humans have a negative impact by suppressing tree growth
36
How does the fire caused by humans help the savanna?
By maintaining the grass cover of this biome
37
What is the location of the Sahara desert?
Occurs near 30 degree north and south latitudes
38
What is the location of the Gobi desert?
In north central Asia
In the center of the continent
39
What is the distribution of the desert determined by?
Non-availability of water (such as in areas with average annual rainfall less than 3000ml per year)
40
What is the temperature of hot deserts?
50c
41
What is the temperature of cold deserts?
-30c
42
How does the temperatures vary in deserts?
Seasonally and daily
43
What is the nature of the vegetation of deserts?
Deserts have more bare land
Vegetation found are sparse and widely scattered
44
What are some animal species in deserts?
Nocturnal species are abundant in deserts
Snakes
Lizards
Beetles
Ants
Scorpions
Rodents
Birds
45
What are the adaptations of desert plants to withstand high temperature and scarcity of water?
Succulent plant body like cacti and euphroes
Most plants have C4 pathway of photosynthesis
Deep roots in shrubs
Ability to tolerate heat and desiccation
Reduce surface area of leaves
Presence of spines/thorns
Presence of toxins in leaves
46
What are the adaptations of animals in the desert?
Water conservation (ex: some species survive solely on water obtained during the breaking down carbohydrates in seeds)
47
What led to the demise of the desert biome?
These areas are converted to human settlements and agricultural lands reducing the natural biodiversity
Deep wells and well development systems for transporting water to facilitate human settlements and agricultural lands
48
What is the location of chaparral?
Mid latitude coastal regions (like north america, chile. spain, southern france, south africa)
49
Where are chaparrals best developed in?
Southern California
50
What is the average annual rainfall of chaparrals?
300-500ml
51
What do chaparrals experience?
Rainy winters
Dry summers
52
What is the average temperature of chaparrals?
Between 10-12c but it can reach upto 40c
53
Describe the vegetation of chaparrals
Dwarf forests
Shrubs
Interspersed vegetation including grasses and herbs
54
What are the animals of chaparrals?
Most of the native mammals are browsers, deer, goats.
Diverse small mammals
Several species of amphibians, birds, reptiles and insects
55
What are chapparals highly prone to?
They are highly prone to events of catastrophic wildfires
56
What are the adaptations shown by plants in chaparrals to overcome wildfires?
Seed germination occurring only after a hot fire
Fire resistant roots
Uses food stored in the fire resistant roots for resprouting after a fire
Quick re-sprouting enables usage of nutrients released by the fire
Tough evergreen leaves in woody plants to survive in droughts
57
Name the animals which can be found in chaparrals
Browsers that include deer and goats (most common native mammal)
Small mammals
Amphibians
Birds
Reptiles
Insects
58
How is the chaparral biome destroyed?
Human settlements
Urbanization
Agricultural conversions
Fire caused by human activities
59
Where can temperate grasslands be found?
These grasslands occur under temperate climatic regimes that are intermediate to those that support forest and desert
60
What are the different terms used for temperate grasslands?
Prairie (in North America)
Steppe (in Eurasia)
Pampas (in Argentina)
61
Describe the average temperature in grasslands
During winter seasons the average temperature falls below -10c and in summer its about 30c
62
What is the average rainfall in grasslands?
300 - 1000 mm per year
63
Describe the weather of grasslands
Precipitation is highly seasonal with periodic drought. These grasslands have relatively dry winters and wet summers
64
What are the dominant plant species in temperate grasslands?
Grasses
65
What are the divisions of the prairie according to the height of the dominant vegetation?
Tall-grass
Mixed-grass
Short-grass
66
How does the height of grasses vary in tall grass prairies?
The height of grasses vary from few centimeters to two meters
67
What disasters occur commonly in grasslands?
Fires and droughts
68
What animals are found in temperate grasslands?
Large grazers (like horses)
Many types of burrowing animals (prairie dogs in North America)
69
Why are tall-grass prairies an endangered natural ecosystem now?
Because they have been almost entirely converted to agriculture and farmlands
70
Where are temperate broadleaf forests found?
Distribution of temperate broadleaf forests are at mid latitudes in the northern hemisphere
71
What is the annual precipitation of temperate broadleaf forests?
Between 700-2000mm
72
How is precipitation received in temperate broadleaf forests throughout the year?
In summer - rain
In winter - snow
73
What is the average temperature in temperate broadleaf forests?
In winter its 0 while in summer its upto 35c
74
How is the summer in temperate broadleaf forests like?
It is hot and allow a favorable time to the growth of trees
75
What are the dominant trees in temperate broadleaf forests?
Deciduous trees
76
What type of stratification can be seen in temperate broadleaf forests?
A vertical layering (stratification)
77
What is the stratification in temperate broadleaf forests
Closed canopy layer
One or two strata of understory trees
Shrub layer
Herb layer (here, only a few epiphytes can be found)
78
What animals can be seen in temperate broadleaf forests?
Many mammals can be seen (they hibernate during winter seasons)
Birds species (they migrate to areas where the climate is warmer during winter seasons)
79
Where are tropical wet low land rainforests of SL found?
They are found below 900m elevation in the south western quarter of Sri Lanka
80
What is the mean annual temperature of tropical wet low land rainforests of SL?
28c
81
What is the annual rainfall in tropical wet low land rainforests of SL?
2000 mm - 5000 mm in different locations without any dry period. The humidity is very high.
82
What are tropical wet low land rainforests characterized by?
A tall canopy
Sub canopy
Sparse shrub layer (consisting mostly of the saplings of canopy trees)
Sometimes an emergent layer is also seen above the canopy
83
Describe the nature of the vegetation in tropical wet low land rainforests of SL
The vegetation is filled with a network of woody lianas that reach to the canopy layer.
A diverse population of epiphytic lichens, mosses, liverworts, ferns and orchids are found while many fungi inhabit decaying woods and soil
High endemism of floral and faunal diversity can be seen in these forests
84
Give examples for tropical wet low land rainforests in SL
Sinharaja
Nakiyadeniya
Kanneliya
85
How are the tropical wet low land rainforests of SL disturbed?
Expansion of tea cultivation
Agriculture
Industrial and residential development
86
What are some tree species found in wet lowland rainforests of SL?
S:Hora, T:Ennai (Dipterocarpus zeylanicus)
S:Naa, T:Nagai (Mesua ferrea)
S:Hal, T:Kungiliyam pinai (Vateria copallifera)
87
What are some animal species found in the wet lowland rainforests of SL?
Purple faced langur
Sri Lanka slender loris
Golden wet zone palm civet
88
Where are tropical montane forests in SL found?
They occur at elevation beyond 1500 m above mean sea level
89
What is the average temperature of tropical montane forests in SL?
16c
90
What is average rainfall in tropical montane forests in SL?
its about 2000mm without any dry period. The humidity is high as lowland rain forests
91
What are tropical montane forests in SL characterized by?
A short canopy of about m with a dense shrub layer
Trees with umbrella-shaped rounded crowns and twisted branches having leathery small leaves to accommodate the strong winds that prevail in the montane zone
High density of epiphytes cover the branches and stems of trees
92
What are some plants found in tropical montane forests in SL?
S:Keena (Callophyllum walkeri)
S:Walkurudu (Cinnamomum ovaliforlium)
S: Gal weralu (Elaeocarpus montanus)
93
What are some animals that inhabit montane forests in SL?
Yellow eared bulbul
Sri Lanka highland Shrew
Sambar
94
Where are the tropical montane forests in SL distributed?
in central hills including Knuckles range, Piduruthalagala, Hakgala.
95
What are tropical montane forests in SL greatly affected by?
Tea cultivation
96
What is the mean annual temperature of tropical dry mixed evergreen forests/dry monsoon forests of SL?
29c
97
What is the annual rainfall of tropical dry mixed evergreen forests/dry monsoon forests of SL?
1000mm - 1500 mm, most of which falls during the northeast monsoon periods
There's a marked dry spell from may to august
98
Where are tropical dry mixed evergreen forests/dry monsoon forests of SL distributed?
They are distributed in areas below 300m altitude
99
What are tropical dry mixed evergreen forests/dry monsoon forests of SL characterized by?
Having a sparse canopy
a sub-canopy
a well developed shrub/herb layer
100
What are some plant species naturally found in tropical dry mixed evergreen forests/dry monsoon forests of SL
Weera (Drypetes sepiaraia)
Palu (Manilkara hexandra)
Kaluwara (Diospyros ebenum)
101
How are the canopy trees in tropical dry mixed evergreen forests/dry monsoon forests of SL like?
They are deciduous during the dry spell of the year
102
What do tropical dry mixed evergreen forests/dry monsoon forests of SL harbor?
They harbor the largest elephant populations in Asia
103
Name the mammal fauna that lives in tropical dry mixed evergreen forests/dry monsoon forests of SL
Leopard
Bear
Deer
104
How are tropical dry mixed evergreen forests/dry monsoon forests of SL protected?
They are protected as national parks
(ex: yala national park
wilpattu national park
wasgamuwa national park
maduru-oya national park
ritigala strict nature reserve
and many sanctuaries and forest reserves)
105
How are tropical dry mixed evergreen forests/dry monsoon forests of SL disturbed?
By 'chena' cultivation
Human settlements
Extraction of timber
Poaching
106
What are some other names given to tropical thorn scrubs of SL?
Scrubs (as large trees are sparse and the vegetation is mainly consisted of thorny shrubs)
107
Where are tropical thorn scrubs of SL found?
In arid lowlands
108
What is the mean annual temperature of tropical thorn scrubs in SL?
31C
109
What is the annual rainfall of tropical thorn scrubs of SL?
below 1000mm with a longer dry period
110
What are the commonly found plant species in the tropical thorn scrubs of SL?
Gini-andara (Dichrostachys cineria)
Ranawara (Cassia auriculata)
Heeressa (Cissus quadrangularis)
111
What kind of animals are found in tropical thorn scrubs in SL?
Due to dry conditions many fauna species cannot be found
Deer
Leopard
Elephants
112
Where are tropical thorn scrubs in SL distributed?
Near Hambanthota
Yala
Mannar
Puttalam
113
How are tropical thorn scrubs in SL disturbed?
Due to various development pressures
114
Describe the nature of savannas of SL
They have a thick grass cover and a few scattered trees
115
Where are savannas in SL commonly found?
These are common on hill slopes of the dry/intermediate zone
116
What does the grass cover of the savannas of SL help?
Since the thin layer of soil on hill slopes cannot support the growth of trees the grass cover of savannas helps bind soil particles and reduce soil erosion
117
What disasters are common to savannas of SL?
Periodic fires are common to this ecosystem as the fried grass cover easily catch fire in dry period of the year
118
How do plants overcome periodic fires in the savannas of SL?
They have trees with fire resistant species
119
Name some plant species in the savannas of SL
Aralu (Terminalia chebula)
Nelli (Phyllanthus emblica)
Bubu (Terminalia bellirica)
120
Name some grass species in the savannas of SL
Mana / Citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus)
Iluk / Cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica)
121
How are the savannas of SL distributed?
They are distributed by periodic fires set by villagers for various reasons
122
Where are the savannas of SL seen?
Bibile
Monaragala
Wellawaya
Mahiyanganaya
123
Where are the savannas of SL seen?
Bibile
Monaragala
Wellawaya
Mahiyanganaya
124
What are the two types of patanas of SL?
Wet patana grassland
Dry patana grassland
125
What are the two types of patanas of SL based on?
The rainfall pattern and the soil of the site
126
Where are wet patana grasslands of SL found?
They are found in areas above 1500m from the sea level
127
What is the mean annual rainfall of wet patana grasslands of SL?
over 2000mm
128
What is the temperature of wet patana grasslands in SL?
It ranges from 5C to 18C
129
What can be commonly found in wet patana grasslands?
Mist, fog and frost are common and they do not experience any dry period
130
What are the grasses found in wet patana grasslands? Describe their nature.
Tussock grasses - the grasses do not reach more than 1 meter in height
131
Give examples for tussock grasses
Chrysopogon nodulibarbis
Arundinella villosa
132
What are the animals found in wet patanas of SL?
A large sambar and wild-boar population
A few leopards
133
Where can an extensive wet patana of SL be found?
In Horton Plains
134
Where can dry patana grasslands be found?
In altitudes between 500-1600m
135
What is the amount of rainfall received in dry patanas of SL?
1400mm - 2000 mm with a definite dry period
136
What are the temperature ranges of SL's dry patanas?
From 18c - 24c
137
What is the vegetation of dry patanas of SL made up of?
The vegetation is made up of grasses that grow up to 1-2m height such as Pangiri Mana (Cymbopogon nardus) and Pini bara tana (Themeda/ Themeda tremula)
138
Where can dry patanas of SL be found?
On hill tops in Hantana, Gampola, Welimada and Haputale
139
What are wetlands?
Wetlands are simply habitats with permanent or temporary accumulation of water with associated plants and animals
According to Ramsar convention, wetlands are defined as areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide doesn't exceed 6m
140
What are the 3 categories the wetlands of SL are divided into?
Inland fresh water wetlands (ex: rivers, stream, marshes, swamp forests and villus)
Coastal wetlands (ex: lagoons, estuaries, mangroves, sea grass beds, salt marshes and coral reefs)
Man-made wetlands (ex: tanks, reservoirs, rice fields and salterns)
141
How is SL's network of rivers formed/
SL's extensive network of rivers is formed by draining a total of 103 distinct natural river basins
142
Describe the nature of SL's river basins
The river basins originating in the wet highlands are perennial, while many of those in dry zone are seasonal
143
Describe the vegetation of SL's rivers and streams
There is hardly any vegetation to be found in running water
144
What are inland freshwater marshlands?
They are low lying areas which receive water through surface runoff, ground water seepage or flood water from rivers.
145
What do inland freshwater marshlands contain?
They contain peat (partially decomposed organic matter) and water logged sticky clay soil
146
What types of animals can be found in the marshes and swamp forests of SL?
Many water birds
Amphibians
Fish species
147
What types of plants can be found in inland marshlands?
Habarala species (Colocasia)
Kekatiya (Aponogeton)
Reeds/Pan species
148
What are the adaptations of the plans growing in inland marshlands?
They have adapted to grow in shallow stagnant water
149
What type of swamp forests are not common in SL?
Freshwater swamp forests
150
How is the vegetation like in freshwater swamp forests?
Forest vegetation is inundated for a short period of time in the year (ex: Waturana swamp at Bulathsinhala located in the 'kalu ganga basin')
151
What are villus?
Generally, villus are the flood plains of the reservoirs
152
Describe the relationship between villus and the wildlife in the area
Villu grasslands possess a special link with the wildlife in the area, especially elephants and bird populations
153
Describe the vegetation in villus
The vegetation is dominant with grasses (members of Poaceae) and sedges (members of Cyeraceae)
154
Where are the villu grasslands of SL located?
In areas such as Mahaweli flood plains, Wilpattu National park
155
What are lagoons?
Lagoons are coastal wetlands generally separated from the sea by a sand barrier
156
Give 2 ex. for lagoons in SL
Negombo lagoon
Bundala lagoon
157
Define estuaries
Estuaries are formed in places where rivers enter the sea and doesn't contain a barrier separating it from seas
158
Give 2 ex for estuaries
Maduganga
Benthota
159
What is a characteristic of lagoons and estuaries
The daily tidal fluctuation
160
Define mangrove ecosystem
Mangroves ecosystem is an intertidal vegetation that covers the fringes of lagoons and estuaries.
161
What are the characteristics of mangroves
Saline/brackish water
Loose soil
Anoxic conditions
Vegetation is exposed to intense sunlight
162
What are the two groups of mangrove plants
True mangroves that occur towards the boundary between sea and land
Mangrove associates that occur more towards inland
163
What are some common true mangrove species?
Kadol (Rhizophora spp, Bruguiera spp,)
Mas athu gas (Avicennia marina)
164
What are some common mangrove associates?
Karan Koku / Golden leather fern (Acrostichum aureu)
Katu ikili / Holly mangrove (Acanthus ilicifolius)
165
Describe the adaptations of the plants of mangroves to survive in that ecosystem
To protect from sunlight, leaves of mangroves have a thick cuticle to reflect sunrays and/or cut off excess radiation
Some plants have salt glands to secrete excess salts absorbed by the plants
There are special roots to intake atmospheric oxygen
Seeds of some mangroves germinate while attached to the mother plant (viviparity) and this helps the seed establish successfully soon after falling from the tree.
166
What animals do mangroves provide a habitat for?
many crustaceans and mollusks
167
Where are the mangroves of SL found?
Puttalam
Trincomalee
Galle
Bentota
Negombo
168
What are salt marshes?
These are marshlands restricted to the arid coastal regions of the country where soil dries up to form crystals of salts during the dry season
169
What are the major characteristics of the salt marsh ecosystem?
Low rainfall
High wind
High temperatures
Loose sand blowing with salt
170
Describe the vegetation of salt marshes
The vegetation only has a few animal and plant species
Plants are short, contain fleshy succulent plant bodies
171
Describe a common plant in the salt marshes of SL
Salicornia sp.
172
Where are the salt marshes of SL commonly found?
Puttalam
Mannar
Hambanthota
Vakarai
173
What are sea grass beds?
In large lagoon areas with low wave action, the floor of the shallow sea is occupied by sea grasses. These are not grass species but appear like grasses due to the shape of leaves
174
What are common plant species found in Sea grass beds?
Halodule spp and Halophyla spp (especially in Kalpitiya to Mannar)
175
Describe the nature of sea grasses
They grow in a compact cluster and provides the sea bed a favorable habitat for breeding of many fish species
176
How are sea grass beds destroyed?
They are often disturbed by fisheries activities as these are the parking areas of fishing boats.
177
What do coral reefs consist of? What are they known for?
Coral reefs consist of calcareous structures secreted by a group of marine invertebrates.
They are known for their spectacular beauty
178
What is another name given to coral reefs and why is that name given?
They are also called 'rainforests of the sea' because of their high productivity and high diversity of organisms that inhabit them.
179
Where can the coral reefs of SL be seen?
In the southern coast (Akurala to Tangalle)
Gulf of Mannar
180
What are coral reefs a habitat for?
A large number of fish species
Invertebrates such as spiny lobsters
Sea cucumbers
Marine mammals and reptiles (ex: dolphins and sea turtles inhabit reefs occasionally)
181
What are coral reefs a habitat for?
A large number of fish species
Invertebrates such as spiny lobsters
Sea cucumbers
Marine mammals and reptiles (ex: dolphins and sea turtles inhabit reefs occasionally)
182
Where are the ancient irrigation tanks of SL scattered in?
In the lowland dry zone
183
Give examples for typical irrigation tanks
'Parakrama samudra'
'Kala wewa'
'Minneriya wewa'
'Tissa wewa'
184
What are the aquatic plant species found in the reservoirs of SL?
Manel / Water Lily (Nymphaea spp)
Nelum (Nelumbo nucifera)
Kekatiya (Aponogeton spp)
185
What are the free floating invasive alien plant species that can be seen in the reservoirs of SL?
Salvinia
Japan jabara / water hyacinth
186
What is the most common sea shore type in SL?
Sandy sea shores
187
What are the characteristics of sea shore areas ?
High temperature throughout
Salt spray
High winds (especially during the monsoon seasons)
188
What are the plants that grow in the sea shore areas of SL?
Muhudu Binthamburu / Beach Morning Glory (Ipomea pescaprae)
Maha rawana revula (Spinifex littoreus)
189
Describe the nature of the soil a distance away from the tide mark
The vegetation gradually becomes stable a distance away from the tide mark, with the stabilization of soil
190
What are dunes characterized by?
Dunes are characterized by stunted or creping vegetation on large masses of sand
191
What is the sand dune structure determined by?
Wind Speed and direction
192
Define sand dunes
Sand dunes are raised beaches of sand
193
Where are the sand dunes of SL found?
They're found in certain coastal areas in the arid zone (ex: near Mullathiv)
194
What plant species can be seen a distance away from the tide mark?
Wara (Calotropis gigantea)
Wetakeiya (Pandanus spp)
195
What is the values / importance of biodiversity?
Environmental service value
Recreational value
Ethical value
Educational/scientific value
Social/cultural/religious value
196
According to IUCN redlist, what species are threatened with extinction?
Conifers
Cycads
Amphibians
Birds
Mammals
(Within the above group, 50% are threatened with extinction)
197
What species have faced a decline in the size of their population?
Amphibians
African mammals
Birds
198
Name the threats to biodiversity
Habitat loss / Fragmentation
Overexploitation
Pollution
Climate change
199
What are the factors that involve in the environmental service value?
*Carbon dioxide fixation through photosynthesis,
*maintaining of essential nutrition cycles,
* maintaining water cycle
*recharging of ground water
*soil formation and protection from erosion
*regulating climate
* recycling moisture into the atmosphere
*water purification
*pollination
200
What does it involve in the recreational value in biodiversity?
*Inspiration in artistic activities like poetry, painting, dance etc.
* It promotes eco- tourism,
*helps to generate revenue by designing of zoological, botanical gardens, national parks etc.
201
What are examples for educational/ scientific value in the biodiversity?
learning of other animals like nematodes, rats and primates has helped in understanding human body and development of medicines
knowledge about how animals react before a natural disaster is helpful in disaster management,
Interacting with biodiversity is proven to be helpful in developing creativity, relieving stress and development of personality.
202
What are examples for social/ cultural/ religious views of the biodiversity?
Some wetland sites are sacred to Aborigines of Australia,
twenty eight species of trees are sacred for Buddhists,
Bulls are considered to be an important part of Hindu culture.
203
Why do humans supplant natural natural eco systems?
Grow food,
harvest materials,
build our settlements
204
In habitat loss/ fragmentation, how does it undergo mass scale destruction?
Mass scale destruction of Mangrove in lagoons such as Negambo and Puttalam due to establishment
of prawn culture destructed the biodiversity of mangroves in these areas
205
Name examples for over exploitation
*Over collection of indigenous medicinal plants from forests in Sri Lanka for export such as Kotalahimbutu (S)/ - (Salacia reticulata). Export of sea cucumber for medicinal purposes from Sri Lankan shores. Ebony(E)/Kaluwara (S), Karun-kaali (T)- (Diospyrus ebanum) is threatened due to over exploitation during the colonial period. Ebony has a very slow growth rate and take many years to grow.
* Intense commercial fishing has led to over fishing threatening decline of food fish like Tuna and Cod in world’s oceans.
206
How does eutrophication occurs?
Due to extensive use of agrochemicals that wash away with rain water into the water bodies make the
water rich in nutrients (eutrophication) resulting in algal blooms.
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What does algal create and what is the negative effect of that?
greatly reduce the populations of fish and other aquatic species.
208
What are the causes of pollution?
Uses of synthetic fertilizers for tea in montane areas also has resulted pollution of rivers in many down stream areas affecting the water quality and making it unsuitable for human use.
Releasing of Sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O) gasses react with water and make the rain water acidic resulting acid rains.
Acid rains caused by air pollution contributes to the death of trees killing many buds, leaves and the seedlings and causing damage to the plant roots.
