Year 11 Biology: Global Warming

What is Global Warming?

Global warming is when the Earth’s temperature rises because of increased levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the sun, making the planet warmer. You can think of it like a blanket that keeps you warm, but if the blanket is too thick, it can get too hot!

Key Points:

• Greenhouse Gases: These include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). They come from burning fossil fuels, like oil and coal, and from farming.
• Effects of Global Warming: It can cause climate change, melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and extreme weather, like storms and droughts.

Example:

Imagine your home gets too hot in summer because you keep the windows closed and the heater on. This is similar to how greenhouse gases make the Earth too warm.

What is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity is the variety of living things in an environment. It includes different plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. A healthy ecosystem needs a lot of biodiversity to function well.

Key Points:

• Ecosystems: These are communities of living things and their physical environment. Examples include forests, oceans, and deserts.
• Importance of Biodiversity: It helps ecosystems stay healthy and resilient. More biodiversity means more resources like food, medicine, and clean air.

Example:

Think of a garden with many different flowers, insects, and birds. This variety attracts more pollinators and keeps the garden thriving.

How Are Global Warming and Biodiversity Connected?

Global warming can harm biodiversity. As temperatures rise, many species may struggle to survive. Some may move to cooler areas, while others might not survive at all. This loss of species means less biodiversity.

Key Points:

• Habitat Loss: As the climate changes, animals lose their homes. For example, polar bears are losing ice to hunt on.
• Extinction: If a species can’t adapt to the changing climate, it may go extinct. This can disrupt the whole ecosystem.

Example:

If a particular plant species dies out because it’s too hot, the animals that rely on that plant for food will also be affected.

Tips and Tricks to Understand

1. Visualise: Draw diagrams of ecosystems and label the different plants and animals.
2. Connect Ideas: Think about how one change, like global warming, affects many living things.
3. Real-Life Examples: Look for news stories about climate change impacts in your area.

Questions

Easy Level (1-20)

1. What is global warming?
2. Name one greenhouse gas.
3. Why are greenhouse gases important?
4. How does global warming affect the weather?
5. What is biodiversity?
6. Give an example of an ecosystem.
7. Why is biodiversity important for ecosystems?
8. What happens to animals when their habitat is destroyed?
9. How can global warming affect polar bears?
10. What is an example of a healthy ecosystem?
11. Name one effect of climate change.
12. How do plants help reduce global warming?
13. What is one way people can help the environment?
14. Can animals adapt to climate change? Yes or No?
15. What do you call a species that no longer exists?
16. What is an example of a habitat?
17. How does pollution affect biodiversity?
18. What is an example of a food chain?
19. Why do we need to protect endangered species?
20. What role do trees play in the ecosystem?

Medium Level (21-40)

21. How do human activities contribute to global warming?
22. What are the impacts of global warming on oceans?
23. Describe one way biodiversity can be measured.
24. How does climate change affect crop production?
25. What is the relationship between extinction and biodiversity?
26. Why is it important to have different species in an ecosystem?
27. How do invasive species impact biodiversity?
28. What is habitat fragmentation?
29. Describe how a food web differs from a food chain.
30. How can planting trees help combat global warming?
31. What is the significance of the Amazon rainforest for biodiversity?
32. How can we reduce our carbon footprint?
33. Name two effects of rising sea levels.
34. How do seasons change due to global warming?
35. What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?
36. How can climate change lead to more extreme weather?
37. What is a keystone species?
38. How does genetic diversity affect a species’ survival?
39. What are some ways to protect endangered species?
40. Describe a consequence of melting polar ice caps.

Hard Level (41-60)

41. Explain the greenhouse effect in detail.
42. Discuss how global warming affects the water cycle.
43. What is the role of phytoplankton in the ocean ecosystem?
44. How can biodiversity loss lead to a collapse of ecosystems?
45. Describe the impact of climate change on coral reefs.
46. What are some socio-economic consequences of global warming?
47. How does global warming affect migrations of animals?
48. Discuss how climate change can lead to the spread of diseases.
49. What is the concept of ecological resilience?
50. Explain the term ‘carbon footprint’ and how it relates to global warming.
51. How do climate change and biodiversity interact in the Arctic region?
52. Discuss the role of protected areas in conserving biodiversity.
53. How can renewable energy sources help combat global warming?
54. What is ocean acidification and how is it related to global warming?
55. Explain the significance of wetland ecosystems to biodiversity.
56. Discuss how indigenous practices can help conserve biodiversity.
57. What are strategies for mitigating climate change?
58. How does overfishing threaten marine biodiversity?
59. Discuss the relationship between agriculture and biodiversity.
60. What is the importance of conservation biology in addressing these issues?

Answers

Easy Level Answers

1. Global warming is the rise in Earth’s temperature due to greenhouse gases.
2. Carbon dioxide (CO2).
3. They trap heat, warming the Earth.
4. It can cause more storms, heatwaves, and rainfall changes.
5. Biodiversity is the variety of living things in an environment.
6. A forest or a coral reef.
7. It helps ecosystems stay balanced and healthy.
8. They may move or die.
9. They lose ice to hunt seals.
10. A garden or a rainforest.
11. More extreme weather events.
12. They absorb CO2.
13. Recycling or using less plastic.
14. Yes.
15. Extinct species.
16. A forest, ocean, or desert.
17. It can reduce the number of species.
18. A plant is eaten by an insect, which is eaten by a bird.
19. To maintain ecological balance.
20. They provide oxygen and habitats.

Medium Level Answers

21. By burning fossil fuels and deforestation.
22. It can cause coral bleaching and loss of marine life.
23. By counting the number of species in an area.
24. It can reduce yields and affect food security.
25. Loss of one species can disrupt the food chain.
26. They each have a role in the ecosystem.
27. They can outcompete native species.
28. When habitats are split into smaller parts.
29. A food web shows many interconnecting food chains.
30. They absorb CO2 and provide shade.
31. It is home to many unique species.
32. By using less energy and driving less.
33. Flooding and loss of land.
34. Seasons may become longer or shorter.
35. They break down dead material and recycle nutrients.
36. It can lead to hurricanes and droughts.
37. A species that has a big impact on its ecosystem.
38. More genetic diversity means a better chance to survive.
39. To maintain ecosystem health.
40. Loss of habitat for animals and flooding.

Hard Level Answers

41. The greenhouse effect is when gases trap heat in the atmosphere.
42. It can alter rainfall patterns and increase evaporation.
43. They produce oxygen and form the base of the ocean food web.
44. Less diversity makes ecosystems less stable.
45. It leads to bleaching and loss of species.
46. It can lead to economic losses and food shortages.
47. Animals may change their migration patterns to find cooler areas.
48. Warmer temperatures can help spread diseases carried by insects.
49. The ability of an ecosystem to recover from disturbances.
50. The total amount of greenhouse gases produced by human activities.
51. Warmer temperatures can reduce habitat and food sources.
52. They protect vital habitats and species.
53. They produce energy without emitting greenhouse gases.
54. It is the decrease in pH of ocean waters due to CO2 absorption.
55. They filter water and provide habitats for many species.
56. They have sustainable practices that benefit ecosystems.
57. Using less energy, planting trees, and protecting habitats.
58. It reduces fish populations and affects marine food webs.
59. Intensive farming can reduce habitat and species.
60. It helps address the loss of biodiversity and climate change.

Feel free to use these questions and answers for your study!