Explain Deforestation. Why is it a threat to the survival of organisms? [5 MARKS]
Explain Deforestation. Why is it a threat to the survival of organisms? [5 MARKS]
Definition: 1 Mark
Any four: 1 Mark each
Deforestation means clearing of forests and using that land for other purposes.
1. Deforestation leads to a direct loss of wildlife, as well as a general degradation of their habitat.
2. The removal of trees and other types of vegetation reduces available food, shelter, and breeding habitat.
3. Wildlife habitats become fragmented, forcing native species to live on remaining lands.
4. Habitat fragments also might be too small to maintain viable populations of animals, and an animal living in one population may no longer be able to freely breed with individuals in other populations. Animals may not be able to find adequate shelter, water, and food to survive within remaining habitat.
5. Animals encounter dangerous situations when they attempt to migrate between habitat fragments, such as increased human-wildlife conflicts and being hit by vehicles. With increased habitat edge, wildlife may experience an increased vulnerability to predation, poaching, wind, sunlight, invasion of exotic plant and animal species into remaining forest habitat, and other factors such as natural disasters that were not as much of a threat before the deforestation event.
Definition: 1 Mark
Any four: 1 Mark each
Deforestation means clearing of forests and using that land for other purposes.
1. Deforestation leads to a direct loss of wildlife, as well as a general degradation of their habitat.
2. The removal of trees and other types of vegetation reduces available food, shelter, and breeding habitat.
3. Wildlife habitats become fragmented, forcing native species to live on remaining lands.
4. Habitat fragments also might be too small to maintain viable populations of animals, and an animal living in one population may no longer be able to freely breed with individuals in other populations. Animals may not be able to find adequate shelter, water, and food to survive within remaining habitat.
5. Animals encounter dangerous situations when they attempt to migrate between habitat fragments, such as increased human-wildlife conflicts and being hit by vehicles. With increased habitat edge, wildlife may experience an increased vulnerability to predation, poaching, wind, sunlight, invasion of exotic plant and animal species into remaining forest habitat, and other factors such as natural disasters that were not as much of a threat before the deforestation event.
