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Challenges to biodiversity! Flashcards

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1
Q

What caused a change in people’s relationship with nature, including the great stink on the Thames?

A

Industrial revolution

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2
Q

What was the industrial revolution?

A

A switch from agrarian to industrial ethos
Sustenance to mass production
Conversion of land from rural to urban - urbanisation
Large scale gross pollution

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3
Q

What are the 4 agricultural revolutions through time?

A

Neolithic revolution: 10,000 BCE (transition
from hunting and gathering to agriculture)

First revolution: 700-1200 CE (spread of crops and techniques from the middle east)

Second revolution: 1600-1800 CE (increase in productivity and yield in western Europe)

Third revolution: 1930-1960s CE (wider
increase in productivity across the world, also known as the Green Revolution)

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4
Q

What is current land use change?

A

Deforestation
Afforestation
Urbanisation
Agricultural expansion and intensification
Desertification

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5
Q

What are the negative affects of afforestation?

A

Loss of biodiversity (monoculture) and trees are imported
* NOx and SO2 deposition

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6
Q

Describe afforestation

A

Planting of often commercially important tree species, in the UK this is evergreen trees
The process of afforestation:
* Ground preparation (furrowing,
etc.)
* Planting of saplings
* Growth
* Felling

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7
Q

What are the negative affects of deforestation?

A

Increases sediment (exposes soils to
the elements)
* Changes hydrology (prevents interception and creates more runoff)
* Limits habitat availability (birds, mammals, invertebrates, etc.)
* Disrupts succession and species interactions
* Releases carbon, methane, and other
GHGs to the atmosphere

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8
Q

What are the negative affects of urbanisation?

A

Creates large amounts of impermeable surfaces - concrete ground cover so pollution gets into water, seas, rivers
Routes water through pipes
Removes vegetation and other natural features
E.g. declines in hedgehog population

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9
Q

What are the causes of hedgehog decline?

A

Urbanisation
Using pesticides and herbicides

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10
Q

Describe agricultural expansion

A

Converting other habitats to cropland
or pastures
Often involves deforestation or vegetation removal followed by tilling and planting of crop or feed plants
Diverse landscapes → homogeneous fields
Increase farmland and use machinery

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11
Q

Describe agricultural intensification

A

Mechanisation and a focus on maximising yields
Removal of hedges and other habitats
Crop monocultures
Damages ecosystem
Increase size of fields and use machinery

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12
Q

Negative effects of agricultural intensification

A

Reduced soil nutrients
Loss of biodiversity
Reduced pollination of wild insects as habitats are removed
Pest and disease outbreaks
Less genetic variation
Habitat fragmentation
Loss of ecosystem function

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13
Q

Describe desertification

A
  • Land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas
  • Driven by climate change, agriculture, urbanization and other climatic and
    anthropogenic processes
  • Conversion of other habitats into deserts
    (usually in the Sahel region but now expanding)
  • Large reductions in the availability of water and a turnover in plant communities (loss of sensitive hydrophilic species)
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14
Q

What are the direct and indirect effects of land use change?

A

Climatic shifts
Application of chemicals
Artificial light at night (ALAN)
Biotic homogenisation (reduction in habitat diversity)

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15
Q

Impacts of climatic shift?

A

Impacts habitat structure and environmental conditions
Shifts in climate

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16
Q

Give 3 examples of human chemical footprints

A

Glyphosate (urban weed management,
agricultural herbicide, household [until recent ban])
Personal care products (e.g., face wash,
washing up liquid, cleaning products)
Plastic (agricultural mulching, everyday use, single use plastics)

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17
Q

How does artificial light at night affect nature? ALAN

A

Affects entire life cycle of organisms
Organisms sleep disrupted

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18
Q

Describe biotic homogenisation

A

Reduction in habitat diversity
Increase in generalist taxa (plants and animals)
Introduction of non-native and invasive
species

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19
Q

What are options for preventing biodiversity loss?

A

New farming technologies and approaches
Behavioural change - personal and institutional

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20
Q

What are some farming technologies to prevent biodiversity loss?

A

Vertical farming
using ecological processes for biocontrol
Regenerative biodiversity e.g permaculture
Minimise space taken up by human activities

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21
Q

What personal behaviour changes can be made?

A

Use less palm oil
Rainforest alliance and fair-trade products
More plant based food

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22
Q

What institutional behavioural changes can be made?

A

Disinvestment in fossil fuels
Focus on local land use and biodiversity promotion
Sustainable investment
Environmental social governments (ESGs)

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23
Q

What is the future of land use change?

A

Land abandonment
Returning ecosystems to original state
Restoration and rewilding
Introducing extinct species
Recovering degraded ecosystems

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24
Q

Define native

A

Native organisms are found within their ‘usual’ or ‘expected’ range

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25
Define non-native
Non-native are introduced to a region outside of their native range (accidental or on-purpose)
26
Define invasive
Invasives are non-native organisms that have negative effects (economic, ecological or otherwise) * Damage to infrastructure (e.g., navigability of rivers/ports) * Health effects (e.g., respiratory issues or burns)
27
How might non-native or invasive species get there?
Non-intentionally: - Boats - In goods - From controlled facilities Intentionally; - Pet releases - Recreation/hunting
28
Which continent has the fewest invasive species?
Antarctica
29
What are the most expensive invasive species?
Rats - disease Cats - kill biodiversity Mosquitoes - disease
30
Why is it difficult to measure affects of invasive species?
Sometimes subtle and difficult to detect * A lot of anecdotal evidence, not much empirical data * Problematic as conclusions can be incorrect – the case of otter (Lutra lutra) declines linked to American mink (Neogale vison), whereas it was organochlorine pesticides (e.g., DDT) * Because of the nature of invasions, there is little experimental data (already there and baseline data is uncommon) * Time lags (from introduction to spread and then impact)
31
What are some impacts of invasive species?
Habitat modification e.g. through overgrazing Aquatic plants overgrow and shade ecosystems Herbivory affecting plants but also other insects and changing landscape composition Predation and competition Parasite and pathogen co-introduction by accident or intentionally Hybridisation - increases susceptibility
32
Give some examples of invasive species in the UK
japanese knotweed oak processionary moth Rhododendron (Rhododendron arboreum Sm.) * Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) * Floating pennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoide) * Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) * Top mouth gudgeon (Pseudorasbora parva) * Grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) * American mink (Neogale vison) * Muntjac deer (Muntiacus reevesi) * Sacred Ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus)
33
Describe the Japanese knotweed
IUCN: one of world’s worst invasive species * Invasive root system and strong growth can damage concrete foundations, buildings, flood defences, roads, paving, retaining walls and architectural sites * Coloniser of temperate riparian ecosystems, roadsides and waste places Forms dense colonies and outcompetes plants Tolerates wide range of conditions Grows really fast
34
Explain why the oak processionary moth is dangerous
Imported alongside flowers and trees from the Netherlands * Causes skin irritation and respiratory issues * Hypersensitisation * Can lead to death * Currently limited to the M25 corridor, although it is spreading and more processions are being detected
35
Explain the introduction of Zander fish
Native to Caspian Black Sea river but introduced to Woburn to catch other fish Eats other fish - piscivirous Caused large declines in fish populations
36
What are some common characteristics of invasive species?
- Fast growth * Rapid reproduction * Good dispersers * Phenotypic plasticity (able to respond to wide range of conditions) * Generalists (environmental and dietary, can adapt) * Linked to humans (nice looking, produce useful materials) Outcompete native species
37
What methods can we use to predict invasive species?
Horizon scanning - based on risk and threat level, quantitive Network methods - looks at interactions and impact, qualitative
38
How can you control invasive species once they are already there?
Eradication- only for small populations Promote natural enemies (or introduce them) Biosecurity to prevent further spread
39
How can you prevent invasive species from being established?
Strict import inspections * New technologies/approaches * Molecular methods * Environmental DNA to detect establishment * Citizen science (i.e., public records and photographs) * Is nearly impossible (due to rogue importers and the large volumes of trade) Cheaper than trying to remove species once established
40
How is plastic pollution distributed across spatial scales?
It is distributed globally, regionally, and locally—affecting everything, everywhere, sometimes all at once.
41
What are the main types of plastic pollution by polymer?
Diverse polymers, including polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, PVC, etc.
42
What are the main size categories of plastic pollution?
Macroplastics (>10 mm), Mesoplastics (~5 mm), Microplastics (<5 mm), and Nanoplastics (<1 mm).
43
Name major sources of plastic pollution in the environment.
Litter (personal and business), spills (can be acute or chronic), sewage works (wet wipes, microplastic from facial care), and agriculture (mulch and sewage spreading).
44
What is a 'spill' in the context of plastic pollution?
Release of pre-processed nurdles, products (e.g., Garfield phones), or shipping containers, resulting in acute or chronic pollution.
45
How does agriculture contribute to plastic pollution?
Through plastic mulch, sewage sludge spreading, and atmospheric deposition.
46
What are the main effects of plastic on ecosystems?
Entanglement, ingestion, acting as vectors for chemicals/pathogens, and colonisation (the plastisphere).
47
What is entanglement in the context of plastic pollution?
Physical trapping of organisms by plastics, causing damage, limb loss, drowning, and reduced mobility.
48
What is ingestion of plastics, and what effects does it have?
Animals consume plastics (often ~1/20th of body length), leading to leaching contaminants, digestive blockage, reduced nutrition, and cellular damage, plasticosis
49
What is plasticosis?
When plastics inflame digestive tract and cause fibrotic scarring
50
How do plastics act as vectors for chemicals and pathogens?
Plastics can carry plasticisers (phenols), additives (flame retardants), metals, pathogens, biocides and co-contaminants, transferring them into ecosystems and organisms.
51
What is the 'plastisphere'?
A community of organisms (bacteria, algae, barnacles) that colonise plastic surfaces, sometimes promoting antibiotic-resistant bacteria and aiding plastic breakdown. - human-made ecosystem
52
Are there strong population or community-level effects of plastic pollution based on current evidence?
No, there is little to no evidence for population or community-level impacts in field studies.
53
What are the main global approaches to plastic pollution remediation?
Legislation and government action, societal and behavioural change, removal, and reuse.
54
Give examples of legislation and government interventions for plastic pollution.
Bans on single-use plastics, regulations on microbeads, and extended producer responsibility laws.
55
What are key societal changes to address plastic pollution?
Reducing plastic use, promoting recycling and reuse, supporting a circular economy, and civil disobedience movements. Removing material from environments, cleanups. Prevention
56
What are key behavioural changes individuals can make to reduce plastic pollution?
Reduce consumption, reuse products, repair items, and participate in clean-ups.
57
What are common methods for removing plastics from the environment?
River and ocean clean-ups, beach clean-ups, floating removal devices, filters, and grates.
58
What is the 'Right to Repair' law, and how does it support reuse?
A UK law (July 2021) that requires spare parts to be available for 7-10 years after last product's sale, supporting repair and reuse.
59
Why is preventing plastic pollution more effective than removal?
Removal methods are often non-selective and can harm animals and plants, so prevention addresses the problem at its source.
60
What is plasticosis?
Plasticosis is a disease-like condition caused by the ingestion of plastics, leading to tissue inflammation, scarring, and damage in the digestive tracts of animals.
61
How is plasticosis caused?
Plasticosis is caused by the ingestion of plastics.
62
What is over-exploitation?
Taking more from the environment than it is willing to give.
63
What are ecosystem services?
Benefits provided by the natural world, including provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services.
64
What are ecosystem disservices?
Negative effects of nature on humans, like flood risk, crop loss from herbivory, and water contamination.
65
Name examples of provisioning services.
Fish, fruit, vegetables, fuel wood, energy, sand, gravel, medicines. Direct products
66
What are regulating services in ecosystems?
Processes that control natural phenomena like pollination, pest control, decomposition, water purification, flood control, carbon storage, and climate regulation. Often not seen or undervalued
67
What are cultural services in ecosystems?
Non-material benefits like local identity, recreation, and creativity (influence on art, music, architecture) and tourism and activities outside
68
What are supporting services in ecosystems?
Fundamental processes like photosynthesis, nutrient cycling, soil formation, and habitat provision. Things we need to live, foundation to all other ecosystems
69
What is the global picture of resource exploitation?
Human overuse of natural resources has increased, causing ecosystem degradation, biodiversity loss, and reduced ecosystem function.
70
What is overfishing?
Extraction of fish at rates faster than populations can replenish, with ~30% of global fish stocks overfished. Driven by 5x increase in consumption of aquatic resources not just overpopulation
71
What is 'fishing down the food web'?
Targeting larger predatory fish first, leading to top-down release, prey population booms, and depletion of basal resources, affecting entire food webs.
72
What are the top-down and bottom-up effects of overfishing?
Top-down: Removing predators increases prey, depletes resources. Bottom-up: Changes in resources affect entire food webs upward. More predators
73
What are the impacts of mining and resource extraction?
Aquifer and river contamination, sediment and heavy metal release, ecosystem restructuring, long-term ecosystem damage, and waste accumulation.
74
Describe the Welsh valleys case study on coal mining.
Open-pit coal mining caused rivers like the Taff to run black with waste, dumping 100,000 tonnes of coal waste in a year, leading to water pollution, health risks like cholera and typhoid, and long-term environmental damage. Means you don't see trout downstream of coal mines
75
What happened to the Ffos-y-Fran mine in Merthyr Tydfil?
It was the last remaining open-pit coal mine in the UK and is now closed.
76
What are the effects of agricultural intensification?
Increased monocultures, high-density farming, genetic similarity, vulnerability to disease, reduced resilience, and loss of ecosystem functions.
77
How does intensive agriculture degrade ecosystems?
Causes soil degradation, biodiversity loss, nutrient depletion, reduced ecosystem functions, biotic homogenisation, and genetic diversity loss. decline in functioning
78
What diseases and parasites are linked to intensive farming?
Fish lice (Argulus spp.), liver flukes (Fasciola hepatica), roundworms (Ostertagia ostertagi), bird flu (H5N1), and foot and mouth disease.
79
What is water abstraction and its consequences?
Removal of water for agriculture - 40% of crops irrigated from groundwater, domestic and industrial use like cooling reactors, reducing aquatic habitats and water availability across borders.
80
Why is halting exploitation not enough for recovery?
Full recovery requires active intervention not just stopping exploitation —conservation, restoration, remediation—often at an international scale to reverse the change
81
What is sustainable resource management?
Extracting resources with lower impact, using resources efficiently, and offsetting impacts through schemes like tree planting.
82
List some solutions for over-exploitation.
Conservation, restoration, remediation, sustainable management, efficiency improvements, and impact offsetting.

Organisms and environment (17 decks)

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