Biodiversity and Waste Management

• Higher biodiversity means ecosystems are stable because different species can depend on each other for shelter and food
• Different species can help maintain the correct physical environment for one another
• For humans, a high level of biodiversity is required to survive
• Which human actions reduce biodiversity?

  • Waste production
  • Deforestation
  • Global warming
• Is the population rising quickly or slowly?

  Quickly
• What meant the population began to increase at a faster rate?

  • Modern medicine
  • Modern farming methods
• People around the world are demanding a higher what?

  Standard of living
• What are humans taking from the environment at a faster and faster rate?

  Resources
• Are raw materials being replenished at the rate they are being used up?

  No
• What pollutants pollute water?

  • Sewage
  • Toxic chemicals from industry
  • Chemicals used on land washed into water
• What pollutants affect land?

  • Toxic chemicals for farming e.g. pesticides, herbicides
  • Nuclear waste (buried)
  • Household waste (landfill)
• What pollutants pollute the air?

  • Smoke
  • Acidic gases e.g. sulfur dioxide