Biodiversity

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Discuss what global biodiversity is and its current estimates.
Global biodiversity is the total number of species on earth. This includes named species, but also unnamed species as scientists have not discovered all existing species. Estimates suggest total biodiversity could be up to around 100 million species.
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Why is it hard to accurately calculate global biodiversity?
Different scientists have used different techniques to estimate. There are many unexplored areas of the world such as tropical rainforests. Scientists don't actually know that much about certain organisms e.g bacteria, so there could be many more.
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Discuss the consequences of global climate change on biodiversity.
As certain climates become warmer, colder, wetter or drier, the organisms that live there may not be able to survive anymore and so numbers can decrease. Insects such as the Anopheles mosquito may be able to spread disease such as malaria further.
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Discuss the economic reasons why biodiversity should be maintained.
Many species contribute the global economy. For example, animals and plants are the source of all food. Also many drugs contain compounds only found in in plants and are therefore useful in medicine.
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Discuss the ecological reasons why biodiversity should be maintained.
A decrease in biodiversity could lead to a disruption in the food chain as well as a disruption in nutrient cycles. If habitats are lost, then species numbers can reduce as species can become isolated.
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Discuss the ethical reasons why biodiversity should be maintained.
Some people believe that we should conserve species because the earth was given to us by God, and so as humans, we must act as stewards by protecting our environment.
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Discuss the aesthetic reasons why biodiversity should be maintained.
Many people believe that we should maintain biodiversity simply because areas with a high biodiversity provide nice environments to visit, which also brings economic benefits from tourism.
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Discuss the agricultural reasons why biodiversity should be maintained.
Many species play a vital role in agriculture. For example, bees are needed as pollinators to go around and pollinate crops. If bees dies out, it could lead to a severe decrease in the crop yields.
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Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of 'in situ' conservation.
In situ means conservation on site, so species are protected in their natural habitat. Advantages include that both the habitat and species can be conserved. It is also less disruptive for the animal. However predators can present a threat in situ.
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Discuss the role of botanic gardens and seed banks in 'ex situ' conservation.
Ex situ conservation means conserving off site and relocating an organism away from its habitat. Botanic gardens often have seed banks to store rare plant species and seeds, so if species are wiped out, they will still have a source.
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What is 'CITES'?
The 'Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species' is an agreement designed to increase international corporation in regulating the trade of of flora and fauna specimen. It states that it is illegal to kill endangered species.
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What is the 'Rio Convention on Biodiversity'?
The convention is an international agreement that aims to develop strategies to conserve biodiversity and use flora and fauna resources in a sustainable way.
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What is an 'EIA'?
An 'Environmental Impact Assessment' is an evaluation of the impact a developing project might have on the environment. They asses the biodiversity of an area and decide if a development can go ahead or not.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Why is it hard to accurately calculate global biodiversity?

Back

Different scientists have used different techniques to estimate. There are many unexplored areas of the world such as tropical rainforests. Scientists don't actually know that much about certain organisms e.g bacteria, so there could be many more.

Card 3

Front

Discuss the consequences of global climate change on biodiversity.

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Discuss the economic reasons why biodiversity should be maintained.

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Discuss the ecological reasons why biodiversity should be maintained.

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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