Biodiversity: Ecology: Biology: GCSE (9:1)

• Biodiversity


  The variety of all the different species of organisms on Earth, or within an ecosystem

  
• Ecosystem


  The interaction of a community of living organisms with the non-living parts of the environment

  
• High biodiversity


  An area with many different species of organisms that can interact in an ecosystem, such as a rainforest

  
• Low biodiversity


  An area with a low variety of species in an ecosystem, such as a cornfield

  
• Consequence of high biodiversity

  A great biodiversity ensures the stability of ecosystems by reducing the dependence of one species on another for food, shelter and the maintenance of the physical environment

  
• Interdependence


  Each species in an ecosystem depends on other species for food, shelter, pollination and seed dispersal

  
• Importance of biodiversity to humanity

  The future of the human species on Earth relies on maintaining a good level of biodiversity throughout the world, humanity cannot survive without other organisms

  
• Human impact

  Many human activities are reducing biodiversity and only recently have measures been taken to try to stop the reduction of biodiversity

  
• Factors negatively affecting biodiversity

  Poaching, habitat destruction such as deforestation, farming, palm plantations, mining, illegal animal trade, pollution, climate change, physical barriers, urban developments, ocean acidification

  
• Conservation


  A human movement to prevent species from extinction, prevent habitat loss and maintain biodiversity

  
• Breeding programmes

  Animals that are at risk of extinction can be conserved in zoos and bred to increase the survival chances of the species, plants can be conserved in botanical gardens and gene banks

  
• Protection and regeneration of rare habitats

  Some rare habitats such as wetlands are key sources of biodiversity, a number of these rare habitats are now permanently protected or are being restored in other areas

  
• Reintroduction of field margins and hedgerows

  Farms are typically low in biodiversity, so field margins can be planted to encourage wildlife and increase biodiversity

  
• Reduction of deforestation

  Deforestation can devastate communities, biodiversity can be better maintained by replanting trees or reducing the rate of deforestation

  
• Reduction of carbon dioxide emissions

  Carbon dioxide levels are likely to contribute to climate change and ocean acidification, biodiversity can be maintained by reducing CO2 levels and by using cleaner sources of energy

  
• Recycling resources


  Landfill sites are very low in biodiversity and waste can spread into different environments, this effect can be reduced by recycling