Chapter 4 - Conservation Abroad

Question 0

Define: Abiotic Factors

Answer 0

Physical factors such as light, temperature and water.

Question 1

Define: Species

Answer 1

A group of organisms that resemble each other more than other organisms and naturally interbreed to produce fertile offspring.

Question 2

Define: Biotic Factors

Answer 2

Biological factors such as food and disease.

Question 3

Define: Nutrient

Answer 3

Any chemical that is essential to an organisation for growth or for metabolic processes.

Question 4

Define: Microclimate

Answer 4

A small area with a climate that is different from the surrounding area.

Question 5

Define: Biomass

Answer 5

The total mass of living or recently living material in an area.

Question 6

Define: Carbon Sequestration

Answer 6

Any process that is used to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, such as afforestation or underground storage.

Question 7

Define: Slash and Burn Farming

Answer 7

Farming in a forest where a clearing is created by burning and is farmed for a few years until nutrient depletion and weed growth cause it to be abandoned, as a new clearing is created elsewhere.

Question 8

Define: LEDCs

Answer 8

Less Economically Developed Countries

Question 9

Define: CITES

Answer 9

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (of wild fauna and flora).

Question 10

Define: Plankton

Answer 10

Organisms that drift in the surface layers of the sea or other water bodies.

Question 11

Define: Symbiosis

Answer 11

A relationship between organisms of different species that live together. One benefits while the other species may benefit, be unaffected or suffer.

Question 12

Define: No-Take Zone

Answer 12

An area where the catching or removal of species is banned e.g. areas where fishing is not allowed.

Question 13

Define: Upwelling

Answer 13

An upwelling is where deep ocean water comes to the surface, often carrying nutrients and causing rich algal blooms.

Question 14

Define: Albedo

Answer 14

A measure of the reflectivity of a surface. more reflectivity surfaces have higher albedos.

Question 15

Define: UV Light

Answer 15

UV is short wavelength radiation emitted by the sun. Its energy can cause chemical reactions to take place, such as in the ozone layer or sunburn and DNA damage.

Question 16

Define: British Antarctic Survey (BAS)

Answer 16

UK research organisation that operates in Antarctica.

Question 17

Define: Antarctic Treaty

Answer 17

An international agreement to protect and manage Antarctica.

Question 18

What resources do rainforests produce?

Answer 18

• Timber (construction of buildings/furniture)
• Fuel
• Plant foods (bananas, oranges, yams, grapefruit)
• Bushmeat (eaten by local population)
• Spices (pepper, cinnamon, turmeric)
• Palm leaves (roofing materials)
• Fibres (cellulose)
• Resins (incense)
• Palm oil
• Wax (polishing floors, cars, coating confectionery)

Question 19

What is the importance of Tropical Rainforests?

Answer 19

• Rainforest resources
• Biodiversity
• Economic value of unexploited resources
• Carbon sequestration
• Rainfall
• Soil conservation

Question 20

What are the threats to Tropical Rainforests?

Answer 20

• Fuelwood (unsustainable)
• Timber (construction/furniture)
• Agriculture (increasing supplies of food)
• Mineral extraction (deforestation for rich mineral deposits)
• Reservoirs (HEP schemes flood areas)
• Global climate change (rainfall less likely)

Question 21

What are the conservation activities of rainforests?

Answer 21

• Debt-for-nature Swaps (giving money to cancel debt)
• Protected Areas
• Trade Controls (Limited trade from sustainably managed resources)

Question 22

What are the abiotic conditions required by coral reefs?

Answer 22

• Warm temperatures (25-29 degrees)
• Bright sunlight (algal photosynthesis)
• Low turbidity (prevents physical damage)
• Constant salinity
• Hard substrate (polyp attachment)

Question 23

What are the threats to coral reefs?

Answer 23

• Physical Damage (swimmers, boat anchors, litter)
• Souvenirs/Ornaments (tourist souvenirs)
• Sediments (kills polyps)
• Climate Change (polyps survive in narrow range of temperature)
• Pollution (oil, pesticides, cyanide)
• Fishing (overexploitation)
• Disease/Predation (Algae provide sugar for bacteria)

Question 24

Where are the conservation methods for conserving coral reefs?

Answer 24

- Fixed mooring buoys (boats do not need anchors) - Divers educated and trained (learn not to touch polyps) - No-Take Zones (protect breeding population) - Ecotourism (motivate conservation efforts) - Control coastal developments (safe waste disposal) - Control land activities (reduce soil erosion) - Environmental protection (protect mangroves)

Question 25

What are the unique features of Antarctica that makes it important?

Answer 25

- Ice regulates sea levels (store water on land) - High albedo (reduce atmospheric heating) - Krill faeces contain carbon (major carbon sink)

Question 26

What are the threats to Antarctica?

Answer 26

- Global climate change (glacier movement towards sea) - Ozone depletion (marine plankton decline) - Tourism (waste disposal, oil spills, wildlife disturbance) - Overfishing (foodwebs affected) - Future mineral extraction (reserve depletion) - Scientific research (building construction impact)

Question 27

What are the main provisions of the Antarctic Treaty?

Answer 27

- Antarctica only used for peaceful purposes. - Free exchange of scientific research. - Nuclear explosions/radioactive waste banned. - Commercial mineral exploitation banned. - Living organism conservation. - Tourism environmental impact monitored.