populations and sustainability

Question 1

define carrying capacity

Answer 1

the maximum stable population size of a species an ecosystem can support

Question 2

what can cause an individual to not reach adulthood and reproduce?

why is this important?

Answer 2

abiotic and biotic factors
important because ensures population size of each species is limited at some point (ie: reaches carrying capacity)

Question 3

why do humans overpopulate any other species?

Answer 3

managed to overcome biotic and abiotic factors that could limit human growth

Question 4

define environmental resistance?

Answer 4

effects of limiting factors that prevent further increase of population

Question 5

on a graph how would you know when the carrying capacity has been reached?

Answer 5

will begin to plateau
so the environmental factors that stop all individuals from surviving
and reproducing resultin the population no longer being able to grow in size

Question 6

name some abiotic factors?

Answer 6

light availability
water supply
temperature
soil ph

Question 7

if you had a group of mammals and the temperature was lower than their optimum temperature, how would this affect the population growth?

Answer 7

limits population growth
the individuals have less energy available for growth and reproduction

Question 8

name 2 biotic factors?

Answer 8

competition for resources
predation

Question 9

what are the three main types of biotic factors?

Answer 9

interspecific competition
infraspecific competition
predation

Question 10

whats interspecific competition?

Answer 10

competition for the same resources between different species

Question 11

whats intraspecific competition?

Answer 11

when individuals from the same species compete for the same resources

Question 12

why does a carrying capacity become reached?

Answer 12

when there is limited resources and the population can no longer grow in size

Question 13

define competitive exclusion?

Answer 13

when a species that has been outcompeted moves to find different areas niche and then evolves over generations to adapt to its new niche

Question 14

define predators?

Answer 14

consumers that kill and eat other animals

Question 15

within a stable community what will happen to the numbers of predators and prey?
why?

Answer 15

predator and prey numbers will rise and fall in cycles
why? because limits the population size of both predators and prey

Question 16

what is environmental custodian?

Answer 16

responsibility on humans to manage habitats and species in a way that ensures sustainability and biodiversity for future generations

Question 17

define preservation?

Answer 17

Maintaining habitats and populations exactly as they are now without human intervention

Question 18

state four reasons why its important to conserve biodiversity resources?

Answer 18

1. humans have a responsibility to prevent loss of biodiversity
2. employment
3. economic benefits
4. supply of natural resources such as wood for construction

Question 19

if an ecosystem has a more diverse ecosystem , how does this affect the stability of the ecosystem?

Answer 19

more diverse ecosystem better able to survive and adapt to environmental change or threats

Question 20

what impact does a keystone species have when they are lost?

Answer 20

several knock on effects

Question 21

why do humans need a diverse ecosystem for environmental reasons?

Answer 21

essential for environmental services they provide
ie: plants absorb co2 from the atmosphere , helping to reduce climate change and greenhouse gases

Question 22

what is the economic value of ecosystems?

Answer 22

many medicines originated from plants, fungi and bacteria
large number of drugs have been sourced from nature so reasonable to assume other drugs that can be found and used

Question 23

whats the benefits of ecotourism?

Answer 23

major source of income for many countries
many tourists travel to and spend money in nation parks
increased tourism in a country contributes to economy and provides jobs

ecosystems majorly contributed to science and technology

Question 24

maintaining a diverse ecosystem is important for aesthetic reasons, why?

Answer 24

1. humans fine joy and pleasure in the beauty of nature
2. provides inspiration for creative things like poets or artists

Question 25

why is there ethical reasons to maintain diverse ecosystem?

Answer 25

believe moral obligation to prevent loss of biodiversity that results from human activities humans share the planet so have no right to cause extinction

Question 26

why is it important to maintain biodiversity for social reasons?

Answer 26

many pple enjoy spending time in the natural environment activities people can do together

Question 27

define sustainability?

Answer 27

ability of an ecosystem to maintain its biodiversity whilst simultaneously providing humans with the resources they need over a long period of time

Question 28

how do humans ensure they manage an ecosystem so its sustainable?

Answer 28

1. resources must have sufficient time to replenish before being harvested so doesn't run out 2. no harm should be down 3. ensure practices to boost biodiversity are promoted 4. long term future must be guaranteed

Question 29

what are two examples of managing an ecosystem for sustainability?

Answer 29

commercial fishing timber production

Question 30

what includes in sustainable finishing?

Answer 30

1. leaving enough fish in the ocean 2. protecting habitats and marine food webs the fish reply on 3. catch fish and process fish that maintains their livelihoods

Question 31

in order to sustainably fish the GOV enforced some regulations , what are they?

Answer 31

1. fishing quotas 2. areas which are banned from fishing and areas where it is permitted 3. regulating mesh size to allow young fish to escape 4. size of fishing fleet by issuing licenses 5. inspecting the catch when boat return to port 6. banning certain practices Ie: gill nets

Question 32

conifers are fast growing trees used in timber production, what work has been done to increase the biodiversity in the areas conifers are grown in ?because monoculture used with low biodiversity levels.

Answer 32

1. felling methods 2. creation of clearings , selective felling 3. firebreaks 4. genomic research studies to find faster growing sub species 5. recreation and public education projects

Question 33

what are coppicing and felling techniques?

Answer 33

coppicing includes felling trees close to the ground , leaving a stump , new shoots grow and sump can be harvested again coppicing means trees remain relatively small and light can always reach the ground , more diverse woodland

Question 34

what is pollarding?

Answer 34

trees cut 2-3 metres above ground , same benefits as coppicing, but herbivores less like to be able to reach and consume new shoots as they grow

Question 35

why is the human population increasing have a harmful affect on many aspects of the environment? what aspects of the environment?

Answer 35

requirement of natural resources is also increasing aspects include: aquatic , terrestrial ecosystems , atmosphere and climate

Question 36

define conservation?

Answer 36

protection and management of species and habitats in a sustainable way

Question 37

what does sustainable use of an ecosystem mean when using the resources for humans?

Answer 37

using resources that meets humans needs alive now without reducing the ability of future humans to meet their needs

Question 38

how have conservationists made an effort to maintain and improve biodiversity around farmlands?

Answer 38

1. removing all human interference 2. reintroduced native species 3. organic farming largely promoted and encouraged 4. re-establishment of hedgerows

Question 39

harvesting and sowing crops has drastically changed throughout years. there is now a very short gap between harvesting and polluting , what does this cause for birds?

Answer 39

short period of time when food is plentiful for birds scientists believe switch from spring to autumn will reduce diversity

Question 40

why is organic farming seen as better for boosting biodiversity?

Answer 40

reduction in the use of chemicals more sustainable

Question 41

what are negatives about farming practices that maintain or increase biodiversity?

Answer 41

1. expensive 2. labour intensive 3. time intensive 4. reduce yield of crops and livestock