6.3.2 - Populations and Sustainability

Question 1

What factors affect population size?

Answer 1

• Abiotic factors
• Biotic factors which include predation and interspecific and intraspecific competition

Question 2

How do abiotic factors affect population size?

Answer 2

• Plants and animals are adapted to the abiotic factors within their ecosystem
• The less harsh the abiotic factors the larger the range of species and the larger the population sizes

Question 3

What is interspecific competition?

Answer 3

• When members of different species are in competition for the same resource that is in limited supply such as habitat, food or water
• The individual better adapted to the environment is more likely to succeed in the competition.

Question 4

What is intraspecific competition?

Answer 4

• When members of the same species are in competition for resources and a mate
• Individuals that are fitter will have more energy to perform a more impressive courtship ritual or may have fur or feathers in a better condition to attract a mate

Question 5

What is predation?

Answer 5

The number of predators will determine the number of prey and vice versa causing predator prey cycles

Question 6

What is conservation?

Answer 6

Maintaining biodiversity and maintaining ecosystems and habitats through active intervention

Question 7

What is preservation?

Answer 7

Minimising human impact on an ecosystem or habitat by maintaining them in their present state

Question 8

What are the 3 reasons for conservation and preservation?

Answer 8

• Economic
• Social
• Ethical

Question 9

What are the economic reasons for conservation and preservation?

Answer 9

• Natural spaces often attract tourism
• Many medicines, foods, clothes and timber are sourced from natural ecosystems which would be lost if they are not conserved

Question 10

What are the social reasons for conservation and preservation?

Answer 10

• People may rely on these ecosystems to live
• Natural spaces can provide many physical and mental benefits to people

Question 11

What are the ethical reasons for conservation and preservation?

Answer 11

• We have a duty to protect species in unique ecosystems and maintain biodiversity
• We have a moral duty to preserve ecosystems for future generations to use and benefit from

Question 12

Why is sustainable management needed?

Answer 12

To ensure that humans have food, shelter and infrastructure for survival without causing excessive loss of biodiversity and depletion of resources

Question 13

Why are sustainable resources needed?

Answer 13

So that:
- Future generations will have resources
- Environments are preserved
- Humans can live comfortably
- Less economically developed countries can develop without exploiting natural resources

Question 14

How is timber managed?

Answer 14

• As timber is removed it can be replaced by saplings
• Coppicing cuts trees close to the ground so that new stems grow and can be done on rotation
• Pollarding cuts trees near the top promoting the growth of a dense head of foliage and prevents animals eating the developing leaves

Question 15

How are fish stocks managed?

Answer 15

• To prevent overfishing destructive methods can be banned
• Fishing quotas can be agreed between countries and fishing groups
• Only fish of a particular size can be harvested so younger fish have to be returned to maintain the breeding population
• Not allowing fishing in certain areas
• Increasing the size of the holes on nets
• Fish can be farmed either within the natural setting or separately on fish farms

Question 16

What are the conflicts to balancing conservation and human needs in the Masai Mara in Kenya?

Answer 16

• Many animals are under threat from poaching
• The land is under threat from agriculture and housing
• The land needs to be actively conserved to prevent succession of woodland communities

Question 17

What are the solutions to balancing conservation and human needs in the Masai Mara in Kenya?

Answer 17

• Ecotourism is used to provide income for conservation initiatives
• Illegal poaching still happens so some areas have tried to make controlled hunting legal and to finance conservation
• Safari parks provide protection and preserve habitats with active conservation

Question 18

What are the conflicts to balancing conservation and human needs in the Terai region in Nepal?

Answer 18

• The land is very fertile and is used for producing many crops. Farmers have been draining it which leads to erosion and then flooding occurs.
• Agriculture is gradually encroaching on the land
• Poverty and corruption means that unregulated logging, hunting and agriculture are taking place

Question 19

What are the solutions to balancing conservation and human needs in the Terai region in Nepal?

Answer 19

• Several national parks have been designated within the ecosystem to provide space for conservation and preservation
• National parks and tourism provide income for local people deterring unauthorised use of the land

Question 20

What are the conflicts to balancing conservation and human needs in peat bogs?

Answer 20

• Peat used to be a source of fuel until alternatives were used
• Peat is in high demand by gardeners to improve their garden soil which sparked a renewed industry in peat removal and distribution

Question 21

What are the solutions to balancing conservation and human needs in peat bogs?

Answer 21

• Alternative fuels to peat are now used
• Peat bogs have been protected, preserved and actively conserved
• Education programmes have made gardeners aware of the impact of using peat in their compost and sustainable alternatives have been developed

Question 22

What protective measures are in place in the Galápagos Islands?

Answer 22

• Has international and local protection
• Limited number of visitors and tourists
• Giving endangered species legal protection

Question 23

What protective measures are in place in Antarctic?

Answer 23

• Permits required for all visitors
• All organisms are legally protected
• International treaties and agreements to prevent mining and drilling for oil

Question 24

What protective measures are in place in the Lake District and Snowdonia National Park?

Answer 24

• Designated as a National Park and has protection from any developments
• Uses sustainable tourism strategies to fund the management and conservation of the area