Question

practice questions

1. why is biodiversity so important?
2. what role can you play in protecting biodiversity?
3. why are invasive species a threat to biodiversity?
4. how does plastic in the oceans harm biodiversity?
5. what is eutrophication?
6. list the steps of eutrophication of a lake.

Explanation:

1. Biodiversity is important as it provides ecosystem services like pollination, water purification, and soil formation. It also has cultural and aesthetic value and is crucial for the survival of species, including humans, by maintaining ecological balance.
2. You can protect biodiversity by reducing waste, conserving water, supporting sustainable agriculture, participating in habitat restoration projects, and spreading awareness about its importance.
3. Invasive species are a threat because they out - compete native species for resources, predate on them, and can introduce diseases to which native species have no immunity, disrupting the local ecosystem.
4. Plastic in the oceans harms biodiversity as marine animals can ingest it, causing internal injuries and death. It can also entangle and suffocate them. Microplastics can accumulate in the food chain, affecting organisms at all levels.
5. Eutrophication is the excessive enrichment of water bodies with nutrients, mainly nitrogen and phosphorus, often from agricultural runoff, sewage, and industrial waste. This leads to excessive growth of algae and other aquatic plants.
6. The steps of lake eutrophication: First, nutrients enter the lake from external sources. Then, there is an algal bloom due to the high nutrient availability. As the algae die, decomposition occurs, consuming oxygen in the water. This leads to hypoxic (low - oxygen) conditions, which can kill fish and other aquatic organisms.

Answer:

1. Biodiversity provides ecosystem services, has cultural value, and maintains ecological balance.
2. Reduce waste, conserve water, support sustainable agriculture, participate in restoration, and spread awareness.
3. Out - compete, predate, and introduce diseases to native species.
4. Ingestion, entanglement, and accumulation in the food chain.
5. Excessive enrichment of water bodies with nutrients causing over - growth of aquatic plants.
6. Nutrients enter, algal bloom occurs, algae die and decompose consuming oxygen, leading to hypoxic conditions and death of aquatic organisms.