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Examine how each of the following activities impact biomes: - The felling of tropical rain forests - Intensive agricultural practices - Industrial development. - Leaving Cert Geography - Question 18 - 2021
Question 18
Examine how each of the following activities impact biomes: - The felling of tropical rain forests - Intensive agricultural practices - Industrial development.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Examine how each of the following activities impact biomes: - The felling of tropical rain forests - Intensive agricultural practices - Industrial development. - Leaving Cert Geography - Question 18 - 2021
Step 1
The felling of tropical rain forests
Answer
The felling of tropical rain forests has significant impacts on biomes, particularly on biodiversity and climate. Deforestation leads to habitat loss for countless species, resulting in decreased biodiversity as species are either displaced or driven to extinction. Furthermore, the removal of trees contributes to climate change, as forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide. The loss of these forests leads to increased carbon emissions, exacerbating global warming.
Additionally, it disrupts the water cycle, reducing precipitation and altering local climates. The soil becomes more susceptible to erosion, which can lead to degradation of the land and affect other biomes.
Step 2
Intensive agricultural practices
Answer
Intensive agricultural practices significantly alter biomes through the introduction of monocultures, pesticide use, and soil depletion. Monoculture farming reduces biodiversity as diverse plant species are replaced solely by high-yield crops. This lack of variety can lead to increased vulnerability to pests and diseases.
Pesticides used to protect these crops can harm non-target species, including beneficial insects and soil organisms, leading to an imbalance in the ecosystem. Furthermore, intensive farming often involves the over-extraction of nutrients from the soil, resulting in long-term soil degradation, impacting future agricultural productivity and altering the biome's ecological balance.
Step 3
Industrial development
Answer
Industrial development impacts biomes through pollution, habitat destruction, and resource extraction. Factories and urban areas contribute significantly to pollution, affecting air and water quality. This pollution can have detrimental effects on local fauna and flora, often leading to declines in species populations.
Additionally, industrial projects often require large land areas, leading to habitat fragmentation and loss. Resource extraction, such as mining, can degrade landscapes and disrupt ecosystems. Such developments can also lead to increased human encroachment into previously untouched areas, further threatening biodiversity and altering the natural dynamics of biomes.