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GCSE Bio > B17 - Biodiversity And Ecosystems > Flashcards

B17 - Biodiversity And Ecosystems Flashcards

1
Q

Ecosystem

A

The interaction of a community of living organisms with the non-living parts of their environment.

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2
Q

Biodiversity

A

The variety of all the different species of organisms on earth, or within an ecosystem.

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3
Q

Why is biodiversity important?

A

Ensures the stability of ecosystems by reducing the dependence of one species on another.

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4
Q

What are organisms dependent on each other for?

A

For food, shelter and the maintenance of the physical environment.

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5
Q

What is extinction?

A

When there are no more living members of a species left.

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6
Q

Why is it important to prevent the extinction of a species?

A

They may provide useful substances to
humans, the extinction may effect another species in the food chain, there is a duty to preserve species for future generations.

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7
Q

Why is more waste being produced?

A

More people, increase in standard of living

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8
Q

Where can pollution occur?

A

• In water, from sewage, fertiliser or toxic chemicals
• In air, from smoke and acidic gases
• On land, from landfill and from toxic chemicals.

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9
Q

What can end up in water, which causes pollution?

A

Sewage, fertiliser or toxic chemicals

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10
Q

What problems does carbon dioxide cause?

A

Greenhouse effect and global warming

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11
Q

What problems can nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide cause?

A

Acid rain.

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12
Q

What problems can acid rain cause?

A

Damage trees, lower pH or lakes and rivers, damage stone and metals.

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13
Q

What causes smog?

A

Tiny particulates in smoke.

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14
Q

What chemicals from farmland pollute water?

A

Pesticides, herbicides, fertilisers.

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15
Q

How can toxic chemicals end up in the water supply?

A

Released illegally by industry.

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16
Q

What happens when fertilisers end up in the water supply? (potential 6 marks)

A

-Large growth of algae,
-death of algae,
-microbes decay waste,
-increased respiration by microbes,
-decreased oxygen in water,
-organisms living in water die from lack of oxygen.

17
Q

What is put in landfill?

A

Any rubbish that is not recycled.

18
Q

Human use of land

A

Building, quarrying, farming, disposing waste.

19
Q

Why is demand for land rising quickly?

A

More people and increased standard of living

20
Q

What are bogs?

A

Wet areas of land without trees with lots of moss growing in them.

21
Q

What are the conditions in bogs like?

A

Acidic and low in nutrients.

22
Q

What is the bog made from?

A

Partially-decayed plants.

23
Q

Why is peat a non-renewable resource?

A

It takes a very long time to form.

24
Q

What is peat used for?

A

Burned as fuel, or added to soil by gardeners for fertiliser.

25
Q

Why does peat release carbon dioxide when it is added to the soil?

A

-Mixed with oxygen
-Microbes begin to break it down, they respire as they do, releasing carbon dioxide.

26
Q

Why has deforestation occurred?

A

Provide land for cattle and crops, grow crops for biofuel, to provide materials for building, fuel and paper

27
Q

Why has deforestation increased in more recent years?

A

Increased population and development of large industrial machinery

28
Q

Why is deforestation reducing biodiversity?

A

It is destroying habitats and kills different species.

29
Q

Why does deforestation increase soil erosion?

A

Roots stop holding the soil in place and so it gets washed and blown away

30
Q

How does deforestation affect atmospheric composition?

A

Increases carbon dioxide as there is less photosynthesis and more burning.

31
Q

Consequences of global warming

A

Melting ice caps, rising sea levels, expansion of seawater, flooding of land, more extreme weather, changes in weather patterns, habitats changing, migration patterns changing, extinction.

32
Q

Explain why it took a while for the theory of global warming to be accepted by most.

A

Lack of evidence, more evidence now collected, which has been peer reviewed.

33
Q

Describe the different ways that humans have a negative impact on ecosystems.

A

Increased waste and pollution, destruction of peat bogs, use of land for farming, building, quarrying, dumping waste, deforestation, increased air pollution.

34
Q

Describe the different ways that humans have a positive impact on ecosystems.

A

Breeding programs, protection of rare habitats, reintroduction of field margins, reducing deforestation, recycling materials.

35
Q

Explain how we can reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.

A

Reduce
Reuse
Recycle

GCSE Bio (6 decks)

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