Question 1: Define 'biodiversity' and explain its importance in ecosystems affected by land use.

Answer: Biodiversity refers to the variety of living organisms within an ecosystem. It is important because it supports ecosystem stability, resilience, and provides resources for humans.

Question 2: List three common types of land use that impact biodiversity.

Answer: Agriculture, urban development, deforestation.

Question 3: Describe how urbanisation can affect local biodiversity.

Answer: Urbanisation can lead to habitat destruction, pollution, and fragmentation, reducing the number of species and biodiversity in the area.

Question 1: A study shows that converting 50 hectares of forest to farmland results in a 40% decrease in local bird species diversity. If the original number of bird species was 80, how many species are expected after land conversion? Show your working.

Answer: Original species: 80; decrease: 40% of 80 = 0.40 x 80 = 32; remaining species: 80 - 32 = 48.

Question 2: A farmland area of 120 hectares has a biodiversity index of 0.6. After urban development, the index drops to 0.3. Calculate the percentage decrease in biodiversity index.

Answer: Decrease: 0.6 - 0.3 = 0.3; Percentage decrease = (0.3 / 0.6) x 100 = 50%.

Question 1: Design a simple experiment to compare plant diversity in two different land use areas: one urban and one rural. Include the variables you would control and the safety precautions you would take.

Answer: The experiment involves selecting similar-sized plots in urban and rural areas, recording plant species within each plot. Controlled variables include soil type, plot size, and sampling time. Safety precautions include wearing appropriate footwear, avoiding hazardous plants or animals, and obtaining permission to access land.

Question 1: A river catchment area has experienced deforestation, leading to increased soil erosion and reduced water quality. Describe how such land use change might impact aquatic biodiversity.

Answer: Deforestation increases soil erosion, which can lead to sedimentation in water bodies, reducing habitat quality for aquatic species, decreasing fish and invertebrate diversity, and disrupting ecosystems.

Question 2: A government plans to convert 200 hectares of farmland into a protected woodland area. Explain how this change could affect local biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Answer: Converting farmland to woodland can increase biodiversity by restoring habitats, supporting native species, and promoting ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, water filtration, and soil stability. It also helps in conserving endangered species and enhancing ecological resilience.

Question 1: Describe how land use planning can help balance development needs with biodiversity conservation.

Answer: Land use planning involves zoning, creating protected areas, and implementing sustainable practices to minimise habitat destruction, ensuring development meets human needs while conserving biodiversity.

Question 2: Discuss the role of ecological corridors in maintaining biodiversity in fragmented landscapes caused by land use changes.

Answer: Ecological corridors are strips of natural habitat that connect isolated patches, allowing species to migrate, reproduce, and access resources. They reduce habitat fragmentation, promote gene flow, and support biodiversity conservation in landscapes altered by land use.