...3.1.1 Factors influencing biodiversity Globally, biodiversity levels vary widely across land and oceans. Both physical and human factors influence levels of biodiversity and these factors operate at a variety of scales from local to global. Global physical factors such as variations in climate, play a major role in controlling the presence or absence of limiting factors, such as: • Temperature • Availability of light • Humidity • Nutrient supply • etc. An absence of limiting factors leads to high levels of primary productivity and the energy produced leads to high levels of biodiversity. Conversely, where limiting factors are strongly evident, e.g. in cold temperatures such as the Arctic, arid regions like deserts, darkness, etc. this will lead to low levels of biodiversity. The size of the area is another key factor, as the larger the continuous area the more species that can flourish in it. Hence the recent ‘size matters’ mantra, and the creation of huge transnational conservation areas such as the Peace Parks of Africa. Locally, there are numerous factors that may have an impact on biodiversity: • Disturbance from a natural disaster e.g. hurricanes, volcanoes, tsunamis on both land and ocean ecosystems, Asian tsunami 2004 – destroyed some mangrove forests • Quasi-natural disasters, e.g. wildfires (Victoria, Australia 2009), hunting, fishing, slash and burn farming • Eutrophication from high-tech agricultures Physical factors Human factors • Climate, e...
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...Assess the relative importance of human and physical factors influencing levels of biodiversity (15 Marks) There are a range of human factors which affect the levels of biodiversity in an area in positive and negative ways. The way in which people use resources can have a damaging effect on the levels of biodiversity as trees are cut down for wood or paper; in some places this is leading to high levels of deforestation. Particularly in areas such as the tropical rainforest, this can lead to the destruction of habitats and so put many endemic species at risk. Also, in many areas there are poachers who put many species at risk of extinction as they can gain wealth by hunting them. In more built up areas, there is likely to be much lower biodiversity as concrete is built over where plants may have previously grown and areas with the highest biodiversity are relatively undisturbed. Due to an increasing population, many more areas are becoming built up by the process of urbanisation. This gives local species less opportunity to continue or to develop and so lowering the level of biodiversity of the area. In a less direct way, biodiversity can be affected by humans as pollution is created, affecting air quality and contaminating water sources. Pollution can make an area more hostile to other species living in the area which can affect the population of them in a negative way. Particularly in cases of contaminated water sources, the pollution can be toxic to plant or animal species...
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...It is clearly the case that variations in levels of biodiversity are highly influenced by physical factors. The climate of a region has a massive impact on the levels of biodiversity, as this determines what flora and fauna can survive. Sunlight, temperature, water and CO₂ are all limiting factors for plant growth. Places with very few limiting factors, such as a tropical rainforest, have high biodiversity because the conditions are good, meaning many plants can grow there because they do not need to be specialised. These conditions are also favourable to many animal species, due to resources being widely available and many niches to be occupied. This leads to high biodiversity because of little competition between species. On the other hand, places with a lot of limiting factors, the Arctic for example, means plants and animals have to be specialised to survive, therefore biodiversity is low due to harsh conditions. The altitudinal range of an area also influences biodiversity. This is because different climates occur at different altitudes, meaning if there is a large range of elevations, there will be conditions that suit many different species of animals and plants so biodiversity is higher. One example of this is the Himalayas where biodiversity is high. Endemism is another physical factor, this increases biodiversity and is affected by the location of an area. For example, islands, such as the Galapagos Islands, are more likely to have endemic species because of isolation...
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...relative importance of human and physical factors in influencing levels of biodiversity. (15) Biodiversity refers to the variety of genes, species and eco-systems in an area. Levels of biodiversity can be influenced by both physical and human factors. Physical factors such as the climate type as well as the age of an area can have a significant impact on the levels of diversity found in that area. Human factors such as deforestation, urbanisation as well as the protection of certain eco-systems carried out by humans can have an impact on the area whether it is negative or positive. The climate of a region may have a huge impact on levels of biodiversity as this determines what flora can survive. Factors such as temperature, water and CO₂ are all limiting factors for plants, places with very few limiting factors such as a tropical rainforest, have high biodiversity because the conditions are good, meaning many plants can grow such as the Atlantic forest, where there are over 20,000 plant species adapted in that specific area. Places with a lot of limiting factors, the levels of biodiversity is low due to harsh conditions. The altitudinal range of an area also has an effect on the levels of biodiversity, the conditions that suit different eco-systems will differ as some are more adapted to thrive in colder environments compared to others who thrive in warmer environments. The age of an area also plays a part in influencing levels of biodiversity as it allows species to adapt depending...
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...examples, assess the relative importance of human and physical factors in influencing levels of biodiversity (15) Both physical and human factors influence biodiversity. On a global scale, climatic and soil fertility influences affect levels of biodiversity, although often human factors influence biodiversity at a local scale and increasingly globally. Biomes and large scale ecosystems such as coral reefs are influenced by limiting factors such as salinity of water which should remain constant, temperatures between 25 and 29 degrees C and adequate sunlight so turbidity level are low. The Great Barrier reef is home to 5,000 species of molluscs, 1,800 species of fish, 125 species of sharks. The age and size of an ecosystem is important in supporting high levels of biodiversity. On the island of Borneo, a biodiversity hotspot, has a number of endemic species and sustains high levels of biodiversity as there is range of altitudes supporting different niches and the size of the area supports many predators. At the local scale, threats from human activity such as deforestation can severely influence biodiversity levels. In Borneo, pristine rainforest was removed for timber and mineral exploitation and the result was a wasteland of yellow grass with low biodiversity. However, human factors can also benefit biodiversity as replanting of native species fertilized by cow urine has subsequently increased biodiversity in the area and the area has been designated an Orang Utang...
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...Affects on Biodiversity Biodiversity is defined as “The range of variation found among microorganisms, plants, fungi, and animals. Also the richness of species of living organisms” (ESA). It the diversity among ecosystems, species and genetics. Biodiversity provides organisms,including humans; food, homes, and nutrients for healthy living. It provides clean air, water and nutrient rich soil. Biodiversity allows for animals to adapt to their changing environments. There are many different human activities that have had a negative impact on biodiversity globally. Fossil fuels is one the major factors influencing the changes in our ecosystems. “Many of the factors leading to the accelerating loss of biodiversity are linked to the increasing use of energy by society” (Ash, 2007) The emissions of fossil fuels is a direct link to global warming. The climate changes have an effect on habitats, reproduction, water temperatures, and genes. It also has effects on economies and health policies. Pesticides is another element that has an negative impact on biodiversity. Pesticides can influence the nutrients in soil, and health of animals and water supplies. A group of chemicals often used for pesticides, endocrine disrupters, have many corrupting effects on animals, and habitats. “Endocrine disrupters are especially dangerous to wildlife - not only do they cause instability and increased mortality in the population, but their long-term effects severely dampen their ability...
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...Factors influencing biodiversity Globally, biodiversity levels vary widely across land and oceans. Both physical and human factors influence levels of biodiversity and these factors operate at a variety of scales from local to global. Global physical factors such as variations in climate, play a major role in controlling the presence or absence of limiting factors, such as: • Temperature • Availability of light • Humidity • Nutrient supply • etc. An absence of limiting factors leads to high levels of primary productivity and the energy produced leads to high levels of biodiversity. Conversely, where limiting factors are strongly evident, e.g. in cold temperatures such as the Arctic, arid regions like deserts, darkness, etc. this will lead to low levels of biodiversity. The size of the area is another key factor, as the larger the continuous area the more species that can flourish in it. Hence the recent ‘size matters’ mantra, and the creation of huge transnational conservation areas such as the Peace Parks of Africa. Locally, there are numerous factors that may have an impact on biodiversity: • Disturbance from a natural disaster e.g. hurricanes, volcanoes, tsunamis on both land and ocean ecosystems, Asian tsunami 2004 – destroyed some mangrove forests • Quasi-natural disasters, e.g. wildfires (Victoria, Australia 2009), hunting, fishing, slash and burn farming • Eutrophication from high-tech agricultures Physical factors Human factors • Climate, e.g. temperature...
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...that causeenvironmental degradation. Since the 1960s, activity of environmental movements has created awareness of the various environmental issues. There is no agreement on the extent of the environmental impact of human activity, and protection measures are occasionally criticized. Academic institutions now offer courses, such as environmental studies, environmental management and environmental engineering, that teach the history and methods of environment protection. Protection of the environment is needed due to various human activities. Waste production, air pollution, and loss of biodiversity (resulting from the introduction of invasive species and species extinction) are some of the issues related to environmental protection. Environmental protection is influenced by three interwoven factors: environmental legislation, ethics and education. Each of these factors plays its part in influencing national-level environmental decisions and personal-level environmental values and behaviors. For environmental protection to become a reality, it is important for societies to develop each of these areas that, together, will inform and drive environmental decisions.[1] Environmental protection is a practice of protecting the natural environment on individual, organizational or governmental levels, for the benefit of both the natural environment and humans. Due to the pressures of population and technology, the biophysical environment is being degraded, sometimes permanently....
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...What is biodiversity? Why does it change? Why is it important to conserve it? INTRODUCTION Presently these days, lots of people live in urban areas. In this case they are separated from the environment. But another important reason why humans will always depend on the environment is because our lives depend on biodiversity. Meaning that we get clothing, medicines, food and furniture from other species. Just because that people rely on biodiversity they have to conserve biodiversity and can save it for future generations (www.scienceclarified.com). But before knowing all the damage this can cause to us, firstly we should know what biodiversity is. Why does it change? Why we have to conserve biodiversity? The aim of this essay is to answer these three questions, so in this paper I will try analyze most important things about biodiversity. MAIN ARGUMENTS The definition of biodiversity has many different connotations, description of species composition interactions between organisms and their environment (Orians, G. H. 1996, p.49). But the major definition of biodiversity is: the variety of life in all its manifestations (Lecture notes). This modern definition can sound like the variety of life on earth, variety of species, and the communities in which they occur. The major elements of diversity are: genetic, taxonomic, and ecological. The first one is Genetic (populations, individuals) – individuals of the same species. It means genetic variations between individuals...
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...Cause-effect relationships: climate change, ozone layer depletion, ultra violet radiation and biodiversity changes Ultraviolet radiation and ozone layer In recent years, along with the general deterioration of the environmental situation, climate change, pollution of the atmosphere and the aquatic environment, a problem has arisen associating with the effects on the human health of excessive ultraviolet irradiation. The global process of degradation of the Earth's ozone layer, one of the manifestations of which is the formation of "ozone holes", led to the disruption of the usual mode of natural UV radiation. The sun is the main source of optical radiation coming to the surface of the Earth from space. In quantitative terms, ultraviolet radiation...
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...protect human, wild life and aquatic life. Apart from this all, there is need to protect natural resources. Countless factors are responsible for leading to such a situation. “What's the use of a fine house if you haven't got a tolerable planet to put it on?” Environmental protection is a practice of protecting the natural environment on individual, organizational or governmental levels, for the benefit of both the natural environment and humans. Due to the pressures of population and technology, the biophysical environment is being degraded, sometimes permanently. This has been recognized, and governments have begun placing restraints on activities that cause environmental degradation. Academic institutions now offer courses, such as environmental studies, environmental management and environmental engineering, that teach the history and methods of environment protection. Protection of the environment is needed due to various human activities. Waste production, air pollution, and loss of biodiversity (resulting from the introduction of invasive species and species extinction) are some of the issues related to environmental protection. "We won't have a society if we destroy the environment." Environmental protection is influenced by three interwoven factors: environmental legislation, ethics and education. Each of these factors plays its part in influencing national-level environmental decisions and personal-level environmental values and behaviors....
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...Ecology Number 4, Fall 1999 Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning: Maintaining Natural Life Support Processes Issues in Ecology Number 4 Fall 1999 Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning: Maintaining Natural Life Support Processes by Shahid Naeem, Chair, F.S. Chapin III, Robert Costanza, Paul R. Ehrlich, Frank B. Golley, David U. Hooper, J.H. Lawton, Robert V. ONeill, Harold A. Mooney, Osvaldo E. Sala, Amy J. Symstad, and David Tilman Critical processes at the ecosystem level influence plant productivity, soil fertility, water quality, atmospheric chemistry, and many other local and global environmental conditions that ultimately affect human welfare. These ecosystem processes are controlled by both the diversity and identity of the plant, animal, and microbial species living within a community. Human modifications to the living community in an ecosystem as well as to the collective biodiversity of the earth can therefore alter ecological functions and life support services that are vital to the well-being of human societies. Substantial changes have already occurred, especially local and global losses of biodiversity. The primary cause has been widespread human transformation of once highly diverse natural ecosystems into relatively species-poor managed ecosystems. Recent studies suggest that such reductions in biodiversity can alter both the magnitude and the stability of ecosystem processes, especially when biodiversity is reduced to the low levels typical...
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...FORECASTING AND ENVIRONMENT FORECASTING Forecasting is essentially the study of internal and external forces that shapes demand and supply. The shape of the things to come will depend partially upon how one shapes the controllable factors. With different strategies, the forecasting will be different, offering multiple scenarios for management decision making. Forecasting is an estimate of sales in physical units for a specified future period under proposed marketing plan or programme and under the assumed set of economic and other forces outside the organization for which the forecast is made. Long term forecasts: Product diversification, sales, advertizing budgets, capacity planning and investment planning, Short term forecasts: Material control, loading and scheduling, and budgeting. Objectives of forecasting Short term objectives • • • • • • Formulation of production policy – Regular supply of material, Maximum utilization of machines, Regular availability of labour Formulation of pricing policy Proper control of sales Arrangement of finance Production capacity Labour requirements Long term objectives • Capital restructuring and resourcing Steps in forecasting demand Determining the objectives Period of forecasting – Short term or long term Collection and analysis of data – data to be collected, tabulated, analyzed and cross-checked by applying statistical or graphical techniques Study of correlation – between sales forecasts and sales promotion plans studying policies...
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...SUCCESSION Virtually all plant communities experience, from time to time, disturbances that remove all or some of the plant biomass. Thus, diversity is influenced heavily by disturbance =is the directional change in community composition and structure over time. • "begins" when a disturbance is followed by colonization or re-growth of the disturbed site by plants • Natural, gradual changes in the types of species that live in an area; can be primary or secondary • The gradual replacement of one plant community by another through natural processes over time Causes of Plant Succession • Autogenic succession (2 types) can be brought by changes in the soil caused by the organisms there. These changes include accumulation of organic matter in litter or humic layer, alteration of soil nutrients, change in pH of soil by plants growing there. The structure of the plants themselves can also alter the community. For example, when larger species like trees mature, they produce shade on to the developing forest floor that tends to exclude light-requiring species. Shade-tolerant species will invade the area. • Allogenic changes are caused by external environmental influences and not by the vegetation. For example soil changes due to erosion, leaching or the deposition of silt and clays can alter the nutrient content and water relationships in the ecosystems. Animals also play an important role in allogenic changes as they are pollinators, seed dispersers and...
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...that cause environmental degradation. Since the 1960s, activity of environmental movements has created awareness of the various environmental issues. There is no agreement on the extent of the environmental impact of human activity, and protection measures are occasionally criticized. Academic institutions now offer courses, such as environmental studies, environmental management and environmental engineering, that teach the history and methods of environment protection. Protection of the environment is needed due to various human activities. Waste production, air pollution, and loss of biodiversity (resulting from the introduction of invasive species and species extinction) are some of the issues related to environmental protection. Environmental protection is influenced by three interwoven factors: environmental legislation, ethics and education. Each of these factors plays its part in influencing national-level environmental decisions and personal-level environmental values and behaviors. For environmental protection to become a reality, it is important for societies to develop each of these areas that, together, will inform and drive environmental decisions. 1 Learn the four functions of a headline. A successful headline has 4 very important jobs to accomplish 2 Avoid using ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. On a subconscious level, we have learned to recognize the "shape" of words. If your words are all in capital block letters, they appear as RECTANGULAR BLOCKS OF PRINT, and a...
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