10.5 - Human Impact on Biodiversity

Question 1

How has the growing human population impacted biodiversity?

Positively or Negatively

Answer 1

Negatively

Question 2

What are some impacts of human population growth on biodiversity?

4 things

Answer 2

• Deforestation for development destroys habitats and reduces ecosystem diversity.
• Overuse of resources causes certain species to decline or go extinct, reducing genetic and species diversity.
• Urban sprawl isolates wildlife populations, limiting breeding and decreasing genetic diversity.
• Pollution kills species directly and harms habitats long term.

Question 3

What are some agricultural practices that reduce biodiversity?

(Name at-least 4)

Answer 3

• Monocultures - This involves growing single crops over large areas, typically without crop rotation, directly decreasing the diversity of plants and of species that depend on them for food or a habitat. Monocultures also deplete the nutrients from soil.
• Converting woodland and hedgerows into fields - This decreases numbers of trees and other species, and destroys habitats relied on by many species.
• Filling in ponds, draining marshes, over-grazing of land - This directly destroys habitats and reduces species diversity.
• Removing weeds with herbicides - This may harm other species or those that depend on target species.
• Using pesticides to kill crop pests - This may harm other species or those that depend on target species.
• Using inorganic fertilisers - These may runoff into water courses, causing issues for aquatic species.

Question 4

What are some methods to balance conservation and agriculture?

Name 2

Answer 4

• Maintaining hedgerows.
• Reducing pesticide and herbicide use.
• Using organic fertilisers.
• Using crop rotation

Question 5

How does climate change impact biodiversity?

Name 3

Answer 5

• Different regions experience changes in temperature and rainfall, and most species are adapted to specific climates.
• Changed conditions will make certain areas more or less habitable in general.
• Suitable habitats for some species will expand or contract e.g. melting polar ice caps removes a habitat for all polar animals.
• Changing climate conditions may influence species distribution and migration.
• Slow-moving species may become extinct if change is too rapid or severe.
• If conditions in general become warmer, tropical diseases will be more likely to spread.
• Rising sea levels may lead to more frequent flooding of terrestrial habitats in low-lying land.

Question 6

What are some specific effects of climate change on biodiversity?

Answer 6

Melting polar ice caps