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The Sixth Mass Extinction
🌍 The Sixth Mass Extinction
Scientists estimate that species are disappearing up to 1,000 times faster than they would naturally. We are living through the sixth mass extinction in Earth's history — and for the first time, one species is responsible: us. But here's the thing: biodiversity is not just about saving pretty animals. It is the web of life that keeps our planet functioning. Every species lost is a thread pulled from that web.
What is biodiversity?: The variety of all different species of organisms on Earth, or within a particular ecosystem.
Includes the range of different habitats and genetic variation within species.
Biology glossary
- What is biodiversity?
- The variety of all different species of organisms on Earth, or within a particular ecosystem. Includes the range of different habitats and genetic variation within species.
- What is eutrophication and what causes it?
- Eutrophication is when excess nutrients (from fertiliser or sewage run-off) enter water. This causes rapid algae growth, blocking sunlight to underwater plants. When algae die and decompose, oxygen is used up, killing aquatic organisms.
What Is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity refers to the variety of all different species of organisms on Earth, or within a particular ecosystem. It has two key dimensions:
💡 Biodiversity definition and importance
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🧠 Memory Aid
Human causes of biodiversity loss — "WILD" mnemonic:
- Waste and pollution (water, land, air)
- Intensive land use (farming, building, quarrying)
- Loss of forests (deforestation)
- Destruction of peat bogs
Conservation methods — "BRP + SHR" (Breeding, Replanting, Protected areas + Seed banks, Hedgerows, Recycling):
- Breeding programmes for endangered species
- Reforestation — planting trees to restore habitats
- Protected areas — SSSIs, national parks, nature reserves
- Seed banks — frozen insurance for plant diversity
- Hedgerow and field margin restoration
- Recycling — reduces waste going to landfill
The peat bog cycle: "PEAT protects — Preserve it!" Peat bogs Preserve organic carbon by keeping it Enclosed in Anaerobic, waterlogged conditions and locked away for Thousands of years. Drain them and that carbon escapes as CO₂.
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This topic in real past papers
Every real exam question we've found on biodiversity and human impacts, with a full worked answer.