Chapter 17: Biodiversity & Ecosystems

• What is biodiversity?

  the variety of all the different species of organisms on Earth, or within an ecosystem
• What is the advantage of high biodiversity?

  ensures stability of ecosystems by reducing the dependence of one species on another
• How are humans trying to maintain biodiversity? (5)

  • breeding programmes

  • protection of rare habitats

  • reintroduction of hedgerows

  • reduction of deforestation and carbon dioxide emissions

  • recycling resources
• Why are more resources being used, and more waste produced, by humans?

  rapid growth in human population, and increase in the standard of living
• Where does pollution occur?

  water, air, and land
• How are humans reducing the land available for other organisms?

  building, quarrying, farming, and dumping waste
• What are the negative impacts of the destruction of peat bogs?

  • reduces amount of available habitat, causing decreases in biodiversity

  • burning or decay of peat releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
• Why have humans carried out large-scale deforestation in tropical areas?

  • provide land for cattle and rice fields

  • grow crops for biofuels