Importance of Biodiversity

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What is a Keystone species?
A species which other species in an ecosystem depend on and without which the ecosystem would change dramatically. They are often predators.
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Why are organisms in an ecosystem 'interdependent'?
Because they depend on each other to survive
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How does maintaining biodiversity protect species?
Because the loss of species can have drastic effects on: 1. Food chains. 2. Nutrient Cycles (e.g. decomposers improve quality of soil by recycling nutrients so if worms decline soil quality would be effected which will effect the growth of plants)
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Why is it important to maintain Genetic resources and therefore biodiversity?
1. Genetic resources provide us with everyday products (food, drink, clothing, drugs, fuels, industrial materials) 2. Genetic resources allow us to adapt to changing environments (use genes from drought resistant plant to make resistant crop)
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What is continuous Monoculture and its disadvantages?
Planting the same crop in the same field without. It causes soil depletion because nutrients required by plant are gradually used up so this increases the spending on fertilisers and decreases the yield.
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Why is maintaining Biodiversity important for Aesthetic reasons?
Areas rich in biodiversity provide attractive landscapes that people enjoy so by maintaining biodiversity we protect these landscapes. the more biodiversity in an area the more visitors it attracts which also has economic advantages.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Why are organisms in an ecosystem 'interdependent'?

Back

Because they depend on each other to survive

Card 3

Front

How does maintaining biodiversity protect species?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Why is it important to maintain Genetic resources and therefore biodiversity?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What is continuous Monoculture and its disadvantages?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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