11.6 Factors Affecting Biodiversity Flashcards
(8 cards)
1
Q
What is deforestation?
A
The permanent removal of large areas of forest to provide wood for building and fuel, and to create space for roads, buildings and agriculture
2
Q
Why is the rate of deforestation and agriculture increasing?
A
To provide more food for the increasing human population
3
Q
What is climate change?
A
The increase of the mean global surface temperature through the release of pollutants into the atmosphere
4
Q
Give an example of deforestation.
A
Deforestation in the Amazon rainforest
5
Q
What are the effects of deforestation?
A
- Directly reduces number of trees in an area
- Destruction of specific species reduces biodiversity
- Destroys animal habitats, reducing animal biodiversity
- Animals forced to migrate, affecting biodiversity of other ecosystems
6
Q
What are the effects of agriculture?
A
- Deforestation
- Removal of hedgerows
- Pesticide and herbicide use reducing plant and animal biodiversity, and destroying food sources
- Monoculture reducing biodiversity and animal habitats
7
Q
What is monoculture?
A
The cultivation of a single crop in a given area
8
Q
What are the effects of climate change?
A
- Melting of polar ice caps
- Rising sea levels, flooding of low-lying land, saltwater flowing up rivers
- Higher temperatures
- Reduced rainfall
- Insect life cycles and populations changing
