Farming techniques reduce biodiversity
Modern farming methods increase food production, but they also destroy habitats and remove species. This drives down the variety of living organisms in an area.
Real World
Between 1970 and 2020, UK farmland bird populations fell by over 50%, with species like the grey partridge declining by 92%, largely because hedgerow removal and pesticide use on intensively farmed land destroyed their food sources and nesting sites.
Exam Focus
Name the specific farming technique and its specific mechanism — e.g. 'monoculture removes habitat diversity' — to access full marks.
Evaluation Scaffold
A four-step framework for high-quality evaluation. Use this for 'assess', 'evaluate', and 'to what extent' questions.
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