biodiversity

• what is biodiversity?

  • the variety of different species of organisms in an ecosystem
• why is biodiversity important?

  • it maintains the stability of an ecosystem
• how do different organisms depend on each other within an ecosystem?

  • for food and shelter
  • different species can help to maintain the right physical environment [ acidity of soil ]
• why has human consumption of resources increased ?

  • higher standard of living demand, more luxury items
  • rapidly increasing human population, places pressure on environment
• why is the human population rising rapidly?

  • modern medicine
  • farming methods
  • reduced the number of people dying from disease and hunger
• where can pollution occur?

  • air
  • land
  • water
• describe water pollution

  • sewage and toxic chemicals pollute lakes etc
  • affecting the organisms that rely on them for survival
• describe land pollution

  • toxic chemicals used for farming [pesticides + herbicides]
  • nuclear waste is buried underground
  • household waste is dumped in landfill sites
• describe air pollution

  • smoke and acidic gases released into atmosphere can pollute the air [sulfur dioxide can cause acid rain]