Examples of human interactions with ecosystems, including use of peat
I can describe examples of human interactions with ecosystems, including the use of peat, eutrophication, and the introduction of non-indigenous species.
Examples of human interactions with ecosystems, including use of peat
I can describe examples of human interactions with ecosystems, including the use of peat, eutrophication, and the introduction of non-indigenous species.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Growing food helps feed the increasing human population, but can have negative impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity.
- The use of peat and destruction of peat bogs as an example of a negative impact.
- Eutrophication as an example of a negative impact.
- The introduction of non-indigenous species as an example of a negative impact.
- Ways of mitigating some of these negative impacts.
Common misconception
A common misconception is that the excessive growth of the plants in eutrophication is the cause of a reduction in biodiversity as a result of the plants using up the oxygen in the water.
Steps in eutrophication are outlined. Increased minerals cause the growth of plants at the surface resulting in the death and decomposition of the plants. Decomposition results in microbes using oxygen, resulting in biodiversity loss.
Keywords
Biodiversity - Biodiversity is the range of different living organisms that live in a place.
Fertiliser - Fertiliser are minerals that are added to the soil to help plants to grow.
Eutrophication - Eutrophication is the process in which a body of water is overly enriched with plant nutrients. This leads to excessive growth of simple plants such as algae.
Indigenous species - Indigenous species are the species that occurs naturally in an ecosystem. They are sometimes referred to as native species.
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
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