Using examples, assess the 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 on how long they have been there for. Places with older eco-systems would mean they’re much more able to survive in conditions that have been changing over many years. Also, if the area is un-touched, levels of biodiversity will be higher. For example, places in the Amazon rainforest means natural species such as there being over 40,000 plant species are not disturbed and are able to thrive.
Although physical factors play a big role in influencing biodiversity, human factors have an increasing influence on levels of biodiversity as well. Economic growth of a country can affect the levels of biodiversity. Industrialisation and the development of many countries mean levels of pollutants increase, harming eco-systems and therefore decreasing biodiversity, affecting agriculture and harming the natural food supply within. The use of fossil fuels mean the emissions of greenhouse gases increases which contribute to climate change. Places like the Arctic are more vulnerable, as climate change could see shifts in vegetation zones and the loss of sea ice, which would decrease the number of animals which rely on these things, such as polar bears. The increase in sea temperature may also lead to coral bleaching which greatly decreases biodiversity because many organisms rely on coral reefs to survive such as along the red sea in Africa.
Humans can also help to improve biodiversity through conservation and protection. Protecting levels of biodiversity means precious eco-systems and different species are able to be kept longer to survive rather than becoming extinct by the many factors which put them at risk of being endangered. South West Australia is known for having different levels of biodiversity ranging from plant species to different type of animal species such as reptiles and parrots, conservation in South West Australia means 11% of land is under protection by the ‘Western Shield Project’. The influence of protection plays a huge role in determining levels of biodiversity as human actions can have a positive or negative impact on biodiversity.
To conclude, physical factors play a greater part in influencing the biodiversity of an area as they determine factors such as climate which is primarily the most important factor in determining the survival of species and eco-systems in an area. Although human factors also play a significant role, compared to physical factors they aren’t as important as they would be considered to be a greater secondary impact.