Humans impact biodiversity

• How humans impact biodiversity:

  Largest cause for human impact on biodiversity os a result of converting large amounts of land for agriculture

  • The changes made are so farmers can maximise the amount of food produced in a specific area of land
• Impact of agriculture - reduces biodiversity:

  • The number of food sources is reduced as plants or animals are removed
  • Habitats are removed or destroyed which removes shelter and food sources
  • Removal of habitats and food sources cause organisms to die or leave (migrate) to another area which further reduces biodiversity
• Impact of agriculture:

  • Farmers often select species for particular qualities that make them more productive
  • As a result the number of species, and the genetic variety of alleles they possess, is reduced to the few that exhibit the desired features
• Main causes of reduction in biodiversity:

  DEFORESTATION - Removal of trees to increase the area of farmland

  • This reduces the number and diversity of tree species and removal of habitat and food sources
• Main causes of reduction in biodiversity:

  PESTICIDES - Sprayed on crops to kill insects which feed on them

  • Reduces number of insect species, and reduces food source of organisms who feed on these insects
• Main causes of reduction in biodiversity:

  MONOCULTURES - Farmers plant fields containing only one species of plant

  • Will support fewer organisms as a food source or habitat which further decreases biodiversity
• Main causes of reduction in biodiversity:

  HEDGEROW REMOVAL - Increases area of farmland by removing hedges which separate them

  • Destroys habitats in hedgerows
• Balance between conservation and farming:

  Farmers have to balance the need to produce food with the need to protect the environment

  • Maintaining biodiversity is also important as it provides us with food sources, medicines and building materials
• Balance between conservation and farming:CONSERVATION TECHNIQUES

  • Schemes which encourage farmers to replant hedgerows - helps to increase biodiversity around agricultural land
• Balance between conservation and farming:CONSERVATION TECHNIQUES

  • Giving legal protection to endangered species - this could prevent destruction of food sources or habitats where these species are found
• Balance between conservation and farming:CONSERVATION TECHNIQUES

  • Creating protected areas such as SSSIs (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) in areas of high biodiversity which are under threat from agricultural or building development
• Balance between conservation and farming:CONSERVATION TECHNIQUES

  • Plant hedges rather than fences as field boundaries
  • Maintain existing ponds and where possible create new ones
  • Reduce use of pesticides
  • Use organic, rather than inorganic fertilisers