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Assess how biomes have been altered by human activity. - Leaving Cert Geography - Question 18 - 2009
Question 18
Assess how biomes have been altered by human activity.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Assess how biomes have been altered by human activity. - Leaving Cert Geography - Question 18 - 2009
Step 1
Identifying aspect: Deforestation
Answer
Deforestation has significantly altered various biomes, particularly tropical rainforests. The removal of trees for agriculture or urban development disrupts the habitat, leading to loss of biodiversity. Species that depend on forest cover face extinction, and carbon storage capabilities are diminished, contributing to climate change.
Step 2
Identifying aspect: Urbanization
Answer
Urbanization has transformed landscapes into cities, affecting biomes such as wetlands and grasslands. The construction of buildings and roads fragments habitats and influences local climate conditions. It leads to habitat loss for many species and alters the natural water drainage system, causing issues like flooding.
Step 3
Identifying aspect: Climate Change
Answer
Human activities, especially the burning of fossil fuels, have contributed to climate change, which in turn affects global biomes. Increased temperatures and altered precipitation patterns impact ecosystems, shifting the distribution of species. Some biomes, like polar regions, are particularly vulnerable, leading to habitat loss and changing biodiversity.