Investigating Ecosystems

Section 5 Summary

Biological Keys

Be able to use keys to identify organisms

Example:

Biodiversity

Learn the definition.

Be able to explainthe impact of man on the biodiversity of ecosystems and

provideexamples to support your explanations.

Some examples of ways in which man is changing the biodiversity of ecosystems are:

Impact of Pollution on Biodiversity

Learn some examples of pollutants which affect water, soil and air ecosystems and be able to

describe their impact within the ecosystem and the measures used to control their damaging effects.

Be able to explain the impact on sustainability of any natural resources as a result.

Pollution occurs when substances are released into an ecosystem which has a harmful effect on the organisms living there. Farming, disposal of waste and energy production are all examples of sources of pollution which can affect water, soiland air ecosystems. The table below shows some examples of pollution and the effects they can have on ecosystems.

Ecosystem / Source of Pollution / Pollutant / Examples of Impact on Ecosystems / Control Measures
Sea / Oil tankers /
  • oil
/
  • loss of species
/
  • Collecting or burning the spilled oil

Fresh Water / Industry /
  • Chemical waste e.g mercury
/
  • Poisonous chemicals enter food chains which affects marine species behaviour, growth and reproduction
/
  • Recycling
  • Alternative methods of disposal

Homes /
  • Raw sewage
/
  • Spreads diseases
  • Poisons humans or animals that drink it
/
  • Treatment with micro-organisms

Agriculture /
  • Fertilisers
/
  • Increases algae growth (reduces oxygen levels)
/
  • Use dilute solutions especially near rivers and streams

Impact of Pollution on Biodiversity (continued)

Ecosystem / Source of Pollution / Pollutant / Examples of Impact on Ecosystems / Control Measures
Soil / Agriculture /
  • Pesticides
/
  • Loss of species
/
  • Limit use

Homes /
  • Domestic rubbish
/
  • Plastic litter canchoke or suffocate birds and small mammals.
/
  • Recycling
  • Burying
  • Burning

Air / Industry & coal fired power stations /
  • Sulphur dioxide gas
/
  • Forms acid rain which can lead to sudden changes in pH which can cause deformities or death to species which lay eggs in water to hatch
/
  • Removal of gas before release into the air

Car exhausts /
  • Poisonous fumes such as carbon monoxide and lead
/
  • Loss of micro-organisms which slows the rate of decomposition of other substances
/
  • catalytic converter
  • lead free petrol

  • Many of man’s activities have led to some species of living organisms dying out completely. When this happens the organism is said to be extinct.
  • Sustainability is any ‘development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, whilst allowing biological systems to remain productive and diverse over time’.

EastwoodHigh School – Section 5 – Investigating Ecosystems, Habitats & Biodiversity