Human Impacts - Loss of Biodiversity Flashcards
Name three methods to remove alien plants.
- Mechanical removal
- Chemical removal
- Biological control
What are IAP’s?
Invasive alien plants
Why were Port Jackson and Hakea species imported?
To establish the sandy soil in the Cape Flats.
Why are invader plants so successful?
- They grow faster than indigenous plants
- The plants and their seeds can withstand extended periods of droughts
- Have few natural enemies to control their population growth
Habitat destruction can occur in two forms
- Habitat degradation
- habitat transformation
What human activities result in Habitat destruction?
More land for:
- agriculture
- Housing
- Industrial
- leisure activities
What is the most destructive industry in South Africa?
Mining
Effects of mining to the environmnet
- Trucks destroy the surrounding ecosystems
- Produces tonnes of solid waste, gas emmissions and liquid effluent
- Change the landscape
- Reduce the drainage ability of soil
- Soil erosion
How do Golf estates cause serious environmental degradation leading to loss of biodiversity
- Use large amounts of water
- Use of recycled sewage effluent to water greens and fairways adds nutrients to ecosystems leading to eutrophication
- In W Cape nutrients leach surrounding areas and discourage growth of indigenous fynbos with relies on a nutrient-poor soil
Effect of illegal trade and poaching of wildlife and excessive harvesting of indigenous plants.
Damages biodiversity and potentially leads to extinction of species.
List 5 targeted species of illegal trade and poaching of wildlife
- Medicinal plants
- Cycads
- Succulents
- Ornamental plants
- Host of vertebrates
Example endangered primates in Africa
Mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei)
Why are primates in Africa endangered?
Because of the trade in “bushmeat”.
What is mechanical removal of alien plants?
By digging out the whole plant, including the roots.
What is chemical removal of alien plants?
Using herbicides and poisons to kill alien plants
