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OCR A level biology > Sustainability > Flashcards

Sustainability Flashcards

1
Q

Define conservation

A

The maintenance of biodiversity

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2
Q

Define preservation

A

Protection of an area by restricting or banning human use- so that the ecosystem is kept exactly as it is

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3
Q

Explain the difference between conservation and preservation

A

Conservation maintains biodiversity whereas preservation leaves ecosystems undisturbed

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4
Q

Give 3 examples of conservation

A
  • burning of moorland to prevent it becoming woodland
  • wildlife reserves
  • botanic gardens
  • seed banks
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5
Q

Give 3 examples of preservation

A
  • international agreement preventing large scale human activity in Antarctica
  • only scientists are allowed on the island of Surtsey in Iceland
  • preventing or limiting access to some Galapagos islands
  • gating pristine caves
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6
Q

Give 3 aesthetic reasons for maintaining biodiversity

A
  • provides inspiration for people e.g. musicians
  • enriches our lives
  • patients recover more quickly from stress or injury when exposed to the natural world
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7
Q

Give 4 economic reasons for maintaining biodiversity

A
  • soil erosion and desertification reduce crop yields
  • biodiversity attracts tourism so brings money into an area
  • prevents extinction of species with, as yet undiscovered, economic value
  • important to conserve all organisms that we use to make things
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8
Q

Give 2 ecological reasons for maintaining biodiversity

A
  • all organisms are interdependent on others for their survival
  • some species play a key role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community
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9
Q

Define sustainability

A

Avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance

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10
Q

Define sustainable resource

A

A renewable resource which is being economically exploited in such a way it will not diminish or run out

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11
Q

What are the 5 aims of sustainability?

A
  • preserve the environment
  • ensure resources are available for future generations
  • allow humans in all societies to live comfortably
  • enable LEDCs to develop through exploiting their natural resources
  • create a more even balance in the consumption of these resources between MEDCs and LEDCs
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12
Q

Describe 3 things that can be done to reduce demand for a resource

A
  • using resources more efficiently
  • reuse products
  • technological improvements
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13
Q

Give two methods of small scale timber production

A

Coppicing

Pollarding

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14
Q

Describe coppicing

A
  • in winter trees are cut down, close to the base

- trees cut on 7-20 year rotation to allow time for regrowth

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15
Q

Describe pollarding

A
  • deer and other animals cannot eat regrowth

- all growth removed above 2-3 metres

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16
Q

What is rotational coppicing?

A
  • woodland is divided into different sections
  • these different sections are cut down at different times of
  • gives chance for regrowth
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17
Q

Give an advantage to the ecosystem of coppicing

A

Biodiversity of the forest is maintained or improved as succession cannot occur

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18
Q

Give an advantage to the ecosystem of pollarding

A

Allows more light to reach the ground so encourages plant growth

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19
Q

Give an advantage of pollarding over coppicing

A
  • new growth is protected from grazers e.g. deer

- tree trunks provide a habitat that is absent in coppiced trees.

20
Q

How can large scale timber production be made more sustainable?

A
  • selective cutting so only the largest/most valuble trees are cut down
  • replace trees by replanting
  • ensure areas of forest remain for indigenous people
  • ensuring each tree supplies more wood, by positioning trees at optimal distance and controlling disease/pests
21
Q

What are the disadvantages of large scale timber production?

A
  • reduced mineral levels in soil
  • soil susceptible to erosion
  • habitats are destroyed
22
Q

What are the differences between large and small scale timber production?

A
  • in large scale larger areas of trees are felled

- in large scale felled trees are destroyed and will not regrow

23
Q

Give an example of a policy which aims to ensure sustainable fishing and explain what it does

A

Common Fisheries Policy in the EU

-puts fishing quotas in place and limits no. certain species of fish that are allowed to be caught in a certian area

24
Q

Give 3 methods to make fishing more sustainable

A
  • Fish farming
  • Better designed nets
  • Timing catches
25
Q

Explain how better designed nets can make fishing more sustainable

A
  • larger meshes allow immature fish to escape so breeding can continue
  • larger mesh ensures on mature fish are caught
  • by catch can be reduced
26
Q

Explain how timing catches can make fishing more sustainable

A
  • allowing fishing only at certain times of the year

- protects breeding season so populations can increase

27
Q

Explain how fish farming can make fishing more sustainable

A

-reduces the number of wild caught fish needed to meet demand

28
Q

What are catchable fish limits?

A
  • limits no. fish per day that can be caught

- ensures a safe minimum spawning population is maintained

29
Q

Why have people reduced the number of acacia bushes in the Masai Mara National Park?

A

Acacia bushes provide habitat for tsetse flies which are a vector for sleeping sickness

30
Q

What have the human impacts on the Masai Mara National Park been?

A
  • Acacia bushes reduced
  • Vegetation removed to provide space for more housing
  • Increase in commercial farming
31
Q

Define ecotourism

A

Tourism directed towards natural environments to support conservation efforts and observe wildlife

32
Q

What are the benefits of ecotourism?

A
  • provides economic input into local community
  • raises awareness of local issues
  • less damaging than agriculture
33
Q

What are the 3 principles of ecotourism?

A
  • ensure tourism doesn’t harm the natural environment
  • consult and engage with local communities
  • ensure infrastructure developments benefit local people
34
Q

Give 3 negative impacts of ecotourism

A
  • traditional cultural practices can be lost
  • more strain on local infrastructure
  • litter and soil erosion due to tourists
35
Q

What is the main reason the black rhino is under threat?

A

Poaching for use of horn in traditional medicine

36
Q

What conservation efforts have been made for the black rhino?

A
  • reserve rangers employed

- communication equipment and vehicles provided to rangers

37
Q

Name 3 conflicts which occur in the Masai Mara national park

A
  • land in needed for homes, cattle, and agriculture
  • fencing land reduces elephant damage to crops but impacts natural migration patterns
  • hunting and poaching provides food and livelihood but reduces animal population sizes
38
Q

Name 2 human impacts on the Terai region, Nepal

A
  • large areas of land have been cleared for illegal logging

- effects of monsoon flooding have been exacerbated

39
Q

Name 3 human impacts on peat bogs

A
  • mechanical extraction of peat leads to deep draining of peat lands
  • Peat is used as a fuel releasing CO2 which was once stored in the peat
  • afforestation has caused the loss of peat bogs
40
Q

Name 3 measures to conserve peat bogs

A
  • ditch blocking
  • removal of tree seedlings
  • controlled grazing
41
Q

How does ditch blocking help to conserve peat bogs?

A

Prevents water from bog running off in ditches, so raises the water table

42
Q

How does removal of tree seedlings help to conserve peat bogs?

A

Prevents water being transported from the bog via transpiration so water levels are maintained

43
Q

How does controlled grazing help to conserve peat bogs?

A

Ensures biodiversity is maintained as succession is not allowed to occur

44
Q

What measures have been taken to protect the Galapagos Islands?

A
  • creation of the Galapagos National Park
  • limiting human access to islands
  • park rangers employed
  • control over movement of introduced animals
45
Q

What measures have been taken to protect the Antarctic?

A
  • antarctic treaty
  • management of tourism
  • designation of protected areas

OCR A level biology (44 decks)

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