Land use reduces habitats
Definition
Biodiversity
The variety of all the different species of organisms in an ecosystem or on Earth.
- Humans reduce the land available for other organisms by using it for building, quarrying, farming and dumping waste.
- Each of these destroys or takes over the habitats that plants and animals depend on.
- As habitats are lost, fewer species can live in the area, so biodiversity falls.
Key Idea
Every area of land taken for human use is a habitat lost to other species, which lowers biodiversity.
Peat bogs
Definition
Peat bog
A waterlogged area of ground where dead plants build up as peat because the lack of oxygen slows down decay.
- Peat bogs are waterlogged habitats where dead plants build up as peat, because the lack of oxygen slows decay.
- Peat is dug up and sold as compost for gardens and to burn as a fuel.
- Destroying peat bogs removes a rare habitat, so the biodiversity of the area falls.
- When peat is drained or burned, the carbon stored in it is released as carbon dioxide, which adds to global warming.
Self review
- Name four ways humans use land that reduce habitats for other organisms.
- Why does taking land for human use lower biodiversity?
- Why does decay happen so slowly in a peat bog?
- Give two reasons why destroying peat bogs is harmful.