Question 1: Define land use and provide three common types of land use in human activities.

Answer: Land use refers to the management and modification of natural environment into built environments such as farmland, urban areas, or forests. Common types include agriculture, urban development, and forestry.

Question 2: Explain two ways in which urban land use can negatively affect biodiversity.

Answer: Urban land use can lead to habitat destruction and fragmentation, which reduces the available habitat for native species. It can also introduce pollution and invasive species that threaten local ecosystems.

Question 3: Multiple Choice: Which of the following land uses is most likely to promote biodiversity conservation?

Answer: Protected natural reserves

Question 4: Fill in the blank: Land use changes, such as deforestation for farming, can lead to a decrease in ________ diversity in an area.

Answer: biodiversity

Question 5: Describe the mechanism by which deforestation reduces biodiversity.

Answer: Deforestation removes the natural habitats of many species, leading to habitat loss. This causes a decline in species populations and can lead to local extinction. The reduction in habitat diversity also decreases the variety of ecological niches, thereby reducing overall biodiversity.

Question 6: Calculate the percentage decrease in biodiversity if a forest originally had 150 species and, after land conversion, only 45 species remain.

Answer: Percentage decrease = ((150 - 45) / 150) * 100 = 70%

Question 7: Identify one experimental variable and one controlled variable if a scientist studies the effect of urbanization on bird species diversity.

Answer: Variable: Degree of urbanization; Controlled variable: Type of habitat or location

Question 8: Analyze a scenario where a wetland is drained for agricultural use. What are the potential long-term effects on local biodiversity?

Answer: Draining a wetland for agriculture can lead to significant habitat loss for aquatic and semi-aquatic species, reducing local biodiversity. It can also disrupt water filtration, increase erosion, and reduce ecological connectivity, thereby impacting species diversity and ecosystem resilience over time.

Question 9: Which industry is most associated with converting natural land into urban areas, and what is a common ecological consequence of this process?

Answer: The construction and real estate industry; a common consequence is habitat destruction leading to decreased biodiversity.

Question 10: Explain how sustainable land use practices can help conserve biodiversity.

Answer: Sustainable land use practices, such as maintaining native vegetation, creating buffer zones, and implementing conservation agriculture, help preserve natural habitats and ecological processes. These practices reduce habitat destruction and fragmentation, support wildlife populations, and promote ecological balance, thereby conserving biodiversity.