B18: Biodiversity and ecosystems Flashcards
what is biodiversity
the variety of all the different species of organisms on Earth, or within an ecosystem
what is the advantage of high biodiversity
ensures stability of ecosystems by reducing the dependence of one species on another
how are humans trying to maintain biodiversity
- breeding programmes
- protection of rare habitats
- reintroduction of hedgerows
- reduction of deforestation and carbon dioxide emissions
- recycling resources
why are more resources being used, and more waste produced by humans
rapid growth in human population, and increase in the standard of living
where does pollution occur
water, air, and land
how are humans reducing the land available for other organisms
building, quarrying, farming, and dumping waste
what are the negative impacts of the destruction of peat bogs
- reduces amount of available habitat, causing decreases in biodiversity
- burning or decay of peat releases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
why have humans carried out large-scale deforestation in tropical areas
- provide land for cattle and rice fields
- grow crops for biofuels
what is food security
having enough food to feed a population
what are the biological factors threatening human food security
- rapid population growth and increasing birth rate
- new pests and pathogens
- changing diets in developed countries
- environmental changes
- conflicts
- costs of agricultural inputs
how can the efficiency of food production in farming be increased
- limit movement of animals
- control temperature of surroundings
- feed animals high-protein foods
- give animals antibiotics
- regularly use fertilisers, herbicides, and pesticides
what gases are increasing in atmospheric levels and contributing to global warming
carbon dioxide and methane
how can fish stocks be maintained at a sustainable level
controlling net sizes and introducing fishing quotas
how is biotechnology used to maintain the growing human population
- large quantities of microorganisms cultured for food, such as mycoprotein from fusarium
- GM bacteria producing treatments like human insulin
- GM crops providing higher yields or improved nutritional values
