Question 1: Biodiversity: The variety of plant and animal species within an ecosystem. Why is high biodiversity important for ecosystem stability?

Answer: High biodiversity enhances ecosystem resilience, supports ecological functions, and reduces vulnerability to environmental changes.

Question 2: Deforestation: The removal of forest cover, often for agriculture or urban development. Name a major rainforest affected by deforestation.

Answer: The Amazon rainforest

Question 3: Climate Change: Long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns. How does climate change impact coral reefs?

Answer: It causes ocean warming and acidification, leading to coral bleaching and death.

Question 4: Overexploitation: Excessive use of resources leading to depletion. Provide an example related to fisheries.

Answer: Overfishing in the North Atlantic herring stocks

Question 5: Ecosystem Services: Benefits humans obtain from ecosystems. List three ecosystem services provided by the Amazon rainforest.

Answer: Climate regulation, carbon sequestration, and medicinal resources.

Question 1: What are the primary causes of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest?

Answer: Agricultural expansion, logging, and infrastructure development.

Question 2: Name two ecosystems that are highly vulnerable to climate change.

Answer: Coral reefs and Arctic tundra.

Question 3: Describe the process of coral bleaching.

Answer: Coral bleaching occurs when increased sea temperatures cause corals to expel their symbiotic algae, leading to loss of color and vital energy sources, often resulting in coral death.

Question 4: Explain how overfishing can lead to trophic cascades in marine ecosystems.

Answer: Overfishing removes top predators, disrupting food chains and causing imbalances such as prey species overpopulating, which can damage habitat and reduce biodiversity.

Question 1: The Amazon rainforest has experienced a 17% loss of forest cover over the past 50 years due to logging, agriculture, and infrastructure. Analyze the impacts this deforestation has had on local biodiversity and global climate regulation.

Answer: Deforestation has led to significant biodiversity loss, threatening countless species with extinction. It reduces the rainforest's capacity for carbon sequestration, contributing to increased atmospheric CO2 levels and climate change. Habitat fragmentation also disrupts ecological processes and indigenous communities.

Question 2: In the Great Barrier Reef, rising sea temperatures have caused widespread coral bleaching. Discuss the social, economic, and environmental consequences of this phenomenon for Australia.

Answer: Environmental consequences include loss of biodiversity and habitat degradation. Socially, indigenous communities and local populations face cultural and livelihood impacts. Economically, tourism declines and fisheries are affected, leading to reduced income and employment in coastal regions.

Question 1: Explain the causes of desertification in the Sahel region of Africa.

Answer: Desertification in the Sahel is driven by overgrazing, deforestation, climate variability leading to reduced rainfall, and unsustainable farming practices. These factors lead to loss of vegetation cover, soil erosion, and declining agricultural productivity.

Question 2: Analyse how climate change exacerbates the vulnerability of Arctic ecosystems.

Answer: Climate change causes Arctic ice melt, reducing habitat for species like polar bears and seals. It also alters temperature and precipitation patterns, affecting permafrost stability and leading to ecosystem shifts, which threaten biodiversity and indigenous livelihoods.

Question 3: Describe the processes leading to ocean acidification and its impact on marine ecosystems.

Answer: Increased atmospheric CO2 dissolves into oceans, forming carbonic acid, which lowers pH levels. Acidification impairs calcifying organisms like corals and shellfish, disrupting marine food chains and biodiversity.

Question 1: To what extent are current conservation efforts effective in protecting ecosystems under pressure? Consider strategies such as protected areas, reforestation, and international agreements.

Answer: Conservation efforts like protected areas and international treaties have had varying success. While they have helped preserve some biodiversity hotspots and reduced deforestation rates locally, challenges remain due to illegal activities, funding issues, and climate change. Reforestation projects show promise but are often limited by land availability and ecological suitability. Overall, strategies are effective to an extent but require stronger enforcement, global cooperation, and adaptive management to address the complex pressures ecosystems face.