Biodiversity and Human Impact on Ecosystems

This final page focuses on biodiversity and the effects of human activities on ecosystems, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts.

Definition: Biodiversity refers to the number of organisms, variety of species, and genetic diversity within an area.

Human activities significantly impact biodiversity through various means:

1. Land use changes, including habitat destruction for resource harvesting, quarrying, deforestation, and peat bog exploitation.
2. Infrastructure development, reducing space for animal and plant habitats.
3. Deforestation, leading to soil erosion, species extinction, and increased greenhouse gas emissions.

Example: Deforestation is a major cause of habitat destruction, leading to soil erosion, species extinction, flash flooding, and the release of greenhouse gases.

Global warming, caused by increased greenhouse gas emissions, poses a significant threat to biodiversity. Rising temperatures can lead to the extinction of species unable to adapt quickly enough, such as coral reefs.

Conservation efforts are crucial for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem stability. These include:

1. Habitat protection through reduced deforestation and replanting initiatives.
2. Species reintroduction programs.
3. Breeding programs to preserve endangered species.
4. Waste recycling to reduce environmental impact.

Highlight: Maintaining biodiversity is essential for ecosystem stability and resilience in the face of environmental changes.

Human-induced climate change and habitat destruction pose significant challenges to global biodiversity. Understanding these impacts and implementing effective conservation strategies are crucial for preserving the planet's ecological balance.

Ecology, Adaptations, Interdependence, and Competition

This page introduces key concepts in ecology adaptations and interdependence gcse. It explores the differences between abiotic and biotic factors in ecosystems, the importance of adaptations, and the dynamics of interdependence and competition.

Abiotic factors are non-living components of an ecosystem, including light intensity, temperature, humidity, soil pH, wind, salinity, and CO₂/O₂ levels. These factors significantly influence the living organisms within an ecosystem.

Biotic factors, on the other hand, are living components of an ecosystem. These include disease, predation, and competition between species. The interplay between biotic factors can lead to population changes and drive evolutionary processes.

Definition: Interdependence refers to the mutual reliance of different species on each other for food, shelter, and other resources within an ecosystem.

Competition for resources such as food, mates, and space promotes evolution and natural selection. This process leads to the development of adaptations, which can be structural, behavioral, or functional.

Example: Extremophiles are organisms adapted to live in extreme environments, demonstrating the remarkable ability of life to thrive in diverse conditions.

Highlight: Adaptations occur through evolution and natural selection, allowing organisms to survive and thrive in changing environments.