biodiversity & the effect of human activity on ecosystems

Question 1

whats the definition of biodiversity

Answer 1

the variety of different species/organisms that live within a specified geographical area

Question 2

what does biodiveristy ensure?

Answer 2

stabilty of ecosystems by reducing the dependence of one species on another for food, shelter, maintenance

Question 3

give e.gs of areas w high biodiversity

Answer 3

woodlands, tropical rainforests

Question 4

give e.gs of areas w low biodiversity

Answer 4

deserts, polar regions

Question 5

give 3 reasons high bio diversty is so important:

Answer 5

• stable ecosystems
• maintain correct physical enviroment
• survival of human population

Question 6

give 3 human activites that reduce biodiversity

Answer 6

• deforestation
• waste production
• global warming

Question 7

2 reasons why the human population is increasing so rapidly

Answer 7

• improved medicine
• improved farminng techniques

Question 8

3 reasons why the increasing human population = more pressure on the enviroment?

Answer 8

• increase demand on resources
• higher standard of living = [higher expectation for luxary items]
• increased use of raw materials

Question 9

name 3 places pollution can occur?

Answer 9

• water [sewage, fertilsers, chemicals]
• air [smoke, acidic gases]
• land [landfill, toxic chemicals]

Question 10

how do humans reduce biodiversity

Answer 10

• building
• quarrying
• farming
• dumping waste

Question 11

6 types of pollution

Answer 11

• visual
• water
• noise
• sea
• air
• land

Question 12

explain bio accumulation
[toxic chemicals]

Answer 12

• toxic levels increase at each stage of food chain
• top preadtors = can recieve high dangerous levels of toxic chemicals

Question 13

3 types of land pollution

Answer 13

• toxic chemicals, fertilsers etc
• burial of nuclear waste
• dumping house hold waste

Question 14

what are the 3 main problems w landfill sites

Answer 14

• attract rats = spread of communicable diseases
• items break down & release toxic liquids & poisonous gases
• heavy metals & toxic chemicals = pollute water & soil

Question 15

when fertilisers pollute water what can it lead to?

Answer 15

algae blooms

Question 16

why are algae blooms a problem

Answer 16

• cover surface of water, no sunlight can enter = plants cant carry out photosynthesis and die
  -dead plants = increased decompostion , aerobic respiration form decomposers reduce the amount of oxygen in water for animals = they die

Question 17

water contaminated w sewage can lead to what 3 communicable diseases?

Answer 17

• cholera
• norovirus
• slamonella

Question 18

what does eutrophication mean? [caused by fertilisers etc]

Answer 18

• over enrichment of nitrate and phosphates [leaked] into water

Question 19

how is smoke produced and what remains in the air?

Answer 19

• incomplete combustion
• particulates

Question 20

what are the effects of particulates

Answer 20

can damage lungs, lead to breathin difficulties etc

Question 21

what else is produced by incomplete combustion

Answer 21

carbon monoxide

Question 22

what is the problem w carbon monoxide gas

Answer 22

• poisnous gas
• combine w haemoglobin so less oxygen can be carried in the blood = may lead to death

Question 23

how is acid rain produced

Answer 23

• buring fossil fuels = release sulphur dioxide into atmosphere
• sulphure dioxide reacts water vapour & sunlight = sulphuric acid -> fals on the earth
  [same occurs w nititrogen oxide]

Question 24

what are the problems w acid rain

Answer 24

• destroys limestone buildings
• destroy plant and animal life

Question 25

6 e.gs of land use

Answer 25

- arable farming - livestock farming - urban buildings - transport networks - quarrying - mining

Question 26

what is deforestation

Answer 26

large scare cutting down of trees

Question 27

uses of deforestation

Answer 27

- farming = provide more food, grow crops which can be used for biofuel - building = more housing for inc population

Question 28

how does deforestation affect climate change

Answer 28

- less photosynthesis = less co2 removes = global warming inc - increase in cattle = inc in methane = inc global warming - more trees burnt = inc co2 levels - machinery used = inc co2 [burning fossil fuels]

Question 29

eviromental impactrs of deforestation

Answer 29

- biodiversity decreases - less fertile soils - less co2 removed from atmosphere - drier climate = less transpitation

Question 30

4 impacts of global warming

Answer 30

- rising sea levels - changes in the distribution of organisms - changes in migration patterns - decreased biodiversity

Question 31

5 ways to maintain biodiversity

Answer 31

- breeding programmes for endangered species - protection & regenertaion of rare habitats - reintroduce feild margins - reduce deforestation and co2 emissions - recyle

Question 32

what are the 4 pressures that affects the maintenance of biodiversity

Answer 32

- financial cost - impact on local economy - protecting food security - development of society

Question 33

what are bogs

Answer 33

area of land that is water logges and acidic

Question 34

how are peat bogs formed?

Answer 34

- less oxygen in soil - dead plants dont decay properly - partly rotting plants accumulate = peat -carbon in plant = stored in peat - peat bogs = reduce the area of the orginal habitat = reduces biodiversity

Question 35

what happens to peat bogs?

Answer 35

- drained ot remove excess water - land for farmers - dug up + dried = fuel - peat is burnt = releases co2 - compost

Question 36

what happens when peat bogs are drained

Answer 36

- area more exposed to air - microorganisms have more oxygen = enable decay - microorganisms respire and release more CO2 into the atmosphere