Identify and describe What is Distribution and Why Does it Matter?, Types of Environmental Change and Temperature Changes and Global Warming in the context of impact of environmental change (biology only) (HT only).
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GCSE Biology Revision
Learn it. Recall it. Revise it.
GCSE Biology revision
Impact of environmental change (biology only) (HT only)
Organisation of an ecosystem
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AQA student objectives
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All · Most · Some
Explain the relationships between What is Distribution and Why Does it Matter?, Types of Environmental Change and Temperature Changes and Global Warming and how they contribute to impact of environmental change (biology only) (HT only).
Apply and analyse knowledge of What is Distribution and Why Does it Matter?, Types of Environmental Change and Temperature Changes and Global Warming to interpret unfamiliar information about impact of environmental change (biology only) (HT only).
Revision summary
Key knowledge
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What is Distribution and Why Does it Matter?
- Distribution refers to where organisms live geographically within ecosystems, and environmental changes can cause this to shift.
- When one species is forced to move, other organisms may be indirectly affected by losing a food source or gaining a new competitor.
- Organisms are adapted to survive in specific environments, so when conditions change, they may be unable to remain in their original habitat.
Types of Environmental Change
- Environmental changes include shifts in temperature, weather patterns, water availability, soil pH, pollutants, and the composition of atmospheric gases.
- All of these factors can cause organisms to move away from or into different areas, altering the distribution of species across ecosystems.
Temperature Changes and Global Warming
- As global temperatures rise due to global warming, some species are now able to survive in areas where they previously could not, such as certain birds living further north.
- Conversely, species like polar bears are losing their habitats as the ice they depend on melts due to rising temperatures.
Water Availability and Rainfall Patterns
- Animals in dry areas often move in search of water, which is essential for survival.
- Where rainfall is increasing, animals do not need to travel as far to find water, but in areas experiencing more frequent droughts, animals are dying from lack of water.
Atmospheric Gases and Pollutants
- All aerobically respiring organisms, including aquatic animals, require oxygen for respiration.
- Pollutants can limit photosynthesis in plants, causing oxygen concentrations to fall and killing aquatic organisms.
- When plants die due to pollution, other organisms lose their food source and are forced to move or die.
Human Contributions to Environmental Change
- Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, which contributes to global warming and changing climate patterns such as increased droughts or rainfall.
- Industrial processes release pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, which dissolve in water to form acid rain.
- Acid rain can damage trees and crops and make ponds and lakes acidic, harming the organisms that live there.
- Carbon dioxide emissions have risen steadily since 1970, with the rate accelerating around 2000, largely driven by electricity, heat production, and industrial activity.
Greenhouse Gases and the Greenhouse Effect
- Greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapour, trap heat in the atmosphere, causing a rise in global temperatures.
- Rising global temperatures cause ice caps to melt, leading to rising sea levels and flooding of habitats.
- As environments change due to climate change, animals adapted to specific conditions may be forced to relocate or face extinction.
Acid Rain and Its Effects
- Sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, released from burning fuels and industrial processes, dissolve in rainwater to form acid rain.
- Acid rain damages trees and crops, kills plants and lichens, and makes lakes and streams acidic, reducing biodiversity.
What Can Humans Do to Help?
- Saving energy by turning off appliances when not in use reduces electricity demand and lowers greenhouse gas emissions.
- Using public transport, walking instead of driving, and recycling are all practical ways individuals can reduce their environmental impact.
- Reducing human contributions to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions can help slow environmental change and protect the distribution of species.