3.6 Human impact on the environment Flashcards
What does endangered mean?
a species at serious risk of becoming extinct due to few breeding pairs remaining
What does extinction mean?
The total loss of a species and therefore the loss of biodiversity
What does conservation mean?
Planned management of ecosystems to enhance biodiversity and protect gene pools
Why do species go extinct? (7)
Overhunting
alien species
pet trade
Natural selection
Pollution
habitat destruction
farming
What are the methods of conservation? (8)
Breeding programs
National parks
Sites of scientific interest
Legislation
CITES
Seed banks
sperm banks
Pollution control
Why is conservation important? (4)
Ethical reasons
prevent overall extinction
potential medical uses
agriculture/horticulture
What are 3 major threats to conservation?
Agriculture
deforestation
overfishing
Why is agriculture a threat to conservation?`
Monoculture- reduces biodiversity and drains resources
overgrazing- reduces biodiversity of land and increases need for fertilisers
Why is deforestation on the rise?
Need for cleared land for faming, housing and roads
high demand for timber
What is the impact of deforestation?
Habitat loss
soil erosion
global warming
less transpiration —> dryer air
What is the impact of deforestation?
Habitat loss
soil erosion
global warming
less transpiration —> dryer air
What are 3 methods for sustainable deforestation?
Slash and burn
Coppicing
Replanting
What is overfishing?
Fishing at a faster rate than fish naturally replenish their population
What are some management methods for overfishing?
Large mesh nets (holes large enough for juvenile fish)
Quotas of mass being brought to dock
exclusion zones and time
sustainability markings at shops
legislation for fleet size
legislation on time at sea
fish farms`
What are the advantages of fish farming? (5)
Fish convert protein more efficiently than other livestock
There is a greater proportion of edible flesh on their bodies
Lower carbon footprint
Higher yield than natural fishing
No competition
