Module 6 Section 7 - Populations and Sustainability Flashcards

Question

How can temperate woodland be managed in a sustainable way?

Answer 1

1) trees are cleared in strips or patches - woodlands grows back quicker in smaller areas between woodland than larger open spaces. 2) the cleared patches are not too large or exposed- lots of soil erosion can occur on large areas of bare grounds. If soil is eroded, newly planted trees won’t grow. 3) timber is sometimes harvested by coppicing - trunk is cut close to ground level. Several new shoots grow from cut surface. Protects young shoots from grazers. Process repeated after certain time and can be repeated indefinitely on broadleaves species. 4) native trees tend to be planted in preference to non-native species. Better for biodiversity as native species have long-estabilished interactions with other native species so their presence should help species thrive in an area. 5) planted trees are attached to pots to provide support ans are grown in plastic tubes to stop them being eaten by grazing animals. Increasing likelihood of trees surviving and becoming mature adults. 6) trees aren’t planted too close together so trees are not competing with each other for space and resources so more likely to survive.

Answer 2

Overfishing

Answer 3

Having enough food without using resources faster than they renew

Answer 4

Fishing quotas are limits to the amount of certain fish species that fisherman are allowed to catch. Scientists study different species and decide how big their populations need to be to maintain their numbers. They then decide how many it’s safe for fisherman to take without reducing population too much. International agreements are made (common fisheries policy in EU) that state the amount of fish each country can take and where they’re allowed to take from. Fishing quotes conserve fish species by reducing the numbers that are caught and killed so populations are reduced less and aren’t at risk of going extinct.

Answer 5

Fish of the wrong species or size are still caught and end up being thrown back into dea dead or dying because restrictions don’t allow fisherman to bring them ashore. However new rules for the common fisheries policy are banning the discarding of fish like this and the whole catch will have to be brought ashore and counted against the quota.

Answer 6

Governments can set limits for the mesh size of fishing nets which reduce the number of “unwanted” and discarded fish that are accidentally caught eg shrimp caught along with cod. Using a bigger mesh size allow smaller species to escape. This also means younger fish will slip through the net, allowing them to reach breeding age.

Answer 7

It can be difficult to determine exactly how big the mesh size should be in areas where several different fish species are fished for at the same time. And two nets each of which meets regulations could be used inside one another effectively reducing the reported mesh size.

Answer 8

1) Terai arc 2) The Maasai Mara 3) UK peat bogs

Answer 9

1) the Terai arc is an area of forest and grasslands on the border between Nepal and India. A variety of species are found there, including endangered species like the Bengal tiger and Asian elephant. 2) nearly 7 million people live in this area and many depend on the forest’s resources to survive. 3) Areas of the forest are being destroyed to make way for housing and other development. This destruction of habitat brings humans and animals into closer contact and increases conflict between the two. Eg elephants can trample crop fields and tigers can kill livestock. This increases likelihood of these animals being shot and killed.

Answer 10

Conservation charity the WWF has worked with local people to help balance their needs with conserving the forest and wildlife. Eg the charity has provided people with solar cookers ans biogas generators so they don’t need to use wood for fuel. Farmers are encouraged to plant mint hedges around their crops to keep animals (which don’t like the taste of mint) away.

Answer 11

1) the maasai Mara is a national reserve in Kenya. It’s a large area of grassland (savannah) which is home to huge populations of wildebeest and zebra, as well as lions and cheetahs. The Maasai Mara is named after the Maasai people who live in the area. 2) The Maasai people traditionally earn a living by raising livestock such as cattle. This can bring them into conflict with conservationists eg overgrazing by livestock can destroy grassland for wildlife.

Answer 12

Conservation trusts are working with the Maasai people to help them make money from their land through conservation and ecotourism projects rather than farming, and to farm in a sustainable way. So the colonic needs of the Maasai people are met while the area is conserved.

Answer 13

1) lots of upland parts of the UK are home to peat bogs - areas of wet peat. These peat bogs store water and carbon dioxide and home to make species such as Sphagnum moss - these mosses actually help the peat bog form by retaining water. 2) Farmers use the peat bogs to graze sheep and deer. However, this can lead to conflict with conservationists because overgrazing causes loss of moss species, soil compaction (which increases water runoff down sheep paths, taking sediment with it) and general peat bog erosion.

Answer 14

Recent government-funded programmes like the environmental stewardship scheme, have given farmers money to use the peat bogs in a sustainable way eg to carry out measures to reduce water runoff, to lower the number of livestock that use the peat bogs and to remove livestock over winter.

Answer 15

1) the Galápagos Islands 2) Antarctica 3) the Lake District + snowdonia national parks

Answer 16

The Galápagos Islands are a small group of islands in the Pacific Ocean. Many rare species have evolved here and can’t be found elsewhere. Recently the number of inhabitants and tourists increased. 1) Non native animals introduced to the islands by humans eat some native species. This has caused a decrease in the populations of native species. Eg non native dogs, cats and black rats eat young giant tortoises and Galápagos land iguanas. Goats have eaten much of the plant life on some of the islands. 2) non native plants have also been introduced. These compete with native plant species, causing a decrease in their populations. For example, quinine trees are taller than some native plants so they block out light to the native plants which then struggle to survive.

Answer 17

1) eradication programmes have removed wild gifts from some of the smaller islands and wild dogs from the largest island. Quinine trees are kept in check using chemical herbicides and by uprooting young trees. 2) when people visit the Galápagos national park, they are expected to follow a list of rules, which includes not bringing any live plants or animals onto the islands, or moving them between islands. People are also only allowed to visit the national park in the company of a licensed guide.

Answer 18

Antarctica is the world’s southernmost continent. It has a unique icy landscape with plants and animals adapted to harsh conditions. It has attracted many tourists and research scientists. 1) visitors to Antarctica have caused pollution in the past by dumping sewage into the sea and leaving rubbish. Shipping accidents have lead to oil spills, which severely affect wildlife. 2) hunting, whaling and fishing have all reduced wildlife populations in the area.

Answer 19

1) all waste apart from food waste and sewage must be taken away by ship for disposal in other countries. Many research stations now treat their sewage before releasing it, to reduce its effects on the environment. 2) Ships that use thick oil as fuel are banned from Antarctic waters- heavy oil spills are more likely to cause more da age and are harder to clean up. 3) there are tourist restrictions eg tourists are only allowed on land at certain locations for a few hours. 4) hunting and whaling have been banned, although fishing still continues.

Answer 20

The Lake District and snowdonia are both national parks. Both are areas of hills and lakes. Lake District is in north west England. Snowdonia is in Wales. Both attract millions of visitors per year. 1) many of the visitors to the Lake District go walking on the region’s footpath which causes erosion of the footpaths and loss of soil from hillsides. Soil that ends up in waterways and lakes can disturb the pH of the water and cause knock on effect for wildlife. As paths become harder to walk on, people may trapple and destroy sensitive vegetation either side of the path. 2) in snowdonia a lot of rain falls in the snowdonia hills, which leads to erosion of the paths. Walkers often trample the surrounding vegetation as they try to walk around floods.

Answer 21

1) in Lake District, conservation charaities and the lake destruct national park authority attempt to carry out regular repair and maintenance work on the paths and encourage the regrowth of damaged vegetation. Walkers are also educated about the importance of sticking to the paths and not taking short cuts as these increase erosion. 2) in snowdonia, volunteers have dug drains next to the paths to prevent them from flooding.

Answer 22

1) new stems grow more rapidly than saplings 2) lifespan of tree is extended 3) provides a variety of light levels. 4) fewer large trees means more light for smaller plants 5) provides a variety of habitats 6) roots prevent soil erosion/maintains soil quality 7) prevents succession 8) large machinery not needed

Answer 23

Trunk cute close to ground level. Several new shoots grow from cut surface. Protect young shoots from grazers. Process repeated after certain time. It can be repeated indefinitely. Usually happens to broad leaved species

Answer 24

This is the removal of the largest and most mature trees. Opens up canopy to allow light to reach ground level