IELTS READING Day 5: Biodiversity Loss and Its Impact on Ecosystems

IELTS READING Day 5: Biodiversity Loss and Its Impact on Ecosystems

Luyện tập IELTS Reading ngày 5 có chủ đề: Biodiversity Loss and Its Impact on Ecosystems. Bài này thuộc chuỗi IELTS Reading: 30 chủ đề luyện tập. Mỗi bài này luyện tập khoảng 30 phút.

Tóm tắt nội dung

Tóm tắt nội dung

ielts-reading-5-biodiversity-loss-ecosystems

Luyện tập IELTS Reading ngày 5 có chủ đề: Biodiversity Loss and Its Impact on Ecosystems. Bài này thuộc chuỗi IELTS Reading: 30 chủ đề luyện tập. Mỗi bài này luyện tập khoảng 30 phút.

Học lại bài cũ: IELTS READING Day 4: The History and Evolution of the Internet.

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Biodiversity, the variety of life forms on Earth, encompasses species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity. It plays a critical role in maintaining ecosystem functions and services, including food production, water purification, climate regulation, and disease control. However, over the past few decades, there has been a significant loss of biodiversity, largely driven by human activities. This decline in biodiversity poses severe threats to ecosystems and their ability to sustain life, both for humans and other species.

Causes of Biodiversity Loss

The primary drivers of biodiversity loss are habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, over-exploitation of natural resources, and invasive species. Habitat destruction, often caused by deforestation, agricultural expansion, and urbanization, leads to the fragmentation or complete elimination of ecosystems that species depend on. Deforestation in tropical rainforests, for instance, is one of the most significant contributors to biodiversity loss, as these regions harbor the highest concentration of species on Earth.

Climate change exacerbates the situation by altering temperature and precipitation patterns, affecting the survival and reproduction of species. As species struggle to adapt to these rapid changes, many face extinction. Moreover, pollution from industrial activities, agricultural runoff, and plastics degrades ecosystems, affecting both terrestrial and marine life. Over-exploitation of resources, such as overfishing and hunting, further accelerates the loss of species, while invasive species introduced into new environments disrupt local ecosystems by outcompeting native species.

Impact on Ecosystem Functioning

The loss of biodiversity significantly undermines the functioning of ecosystems. Ecosystems with high biodiversity tend to be more resilient, as different species play specific roles in maintaining ecological balance. For example, in a diverse forest, various species of plants, insects, and animals interact in complex ways to sustain nutrient cycling, pollination, and decomposition. When biodiversity is reduced, these functions become impaired.

One critical aspect of biodiversity’s role in ecosystems is its contribution to ecosystem services. Biodiversity underpins services such as food provision, water filtration, and carbon sequestration. For instance, coral reefs, which support a vast array of marine life, are crucial for fisheries and tourism industries. Their loss due to ocean acidification and rising temperatures threatens not only marine biodiversity but also human livelihoods. Similarly, forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide and mitigating climate change. The destruction of forests contributes to climate instability and diminishes the planet’s ability to regulate greenhouse gases.

Disruption of Food Chains

Biodiversity loss also disrupts food chains and ecological networks. When key species are removed from an ecosystem, such as top predators or important pollinators, the entire food web can collapse. For example, the decline of bees and other pollinators, due to pesticide use and habitat loss, threatens global food security, as many crops depend on pollination for reproduction. Likewise, the extinction of predators like wolves can lead to overpopulation of prey species, resulting in overgrazing and habitat degradation.

In aquatic ecosystems, overfishing has led to the depletion of large fish species, which in turn affects the entire marine food web. The removal of these species can cause a cascade of effects, disrupting the balance of predator-prey relationships and altering the structure of marine ecosystems. This can result in the collapse of fisheries, affecting both marine biodiversity and human communities that rely on these resources.

Human Health and Well-being

The loss of biodiversity also has direct and indirect impacts on human health and well-being. Ecosystems rich in biodiversity provide a wealth of resources, including food, medicine, and clean water. Many pharmaceutical products are derived from plants and animals, and the loss of species could hinder future medical discoveries. Additionally, ecosystems with high biodiversity help regulate disease by controlling the populations of vectors, such as mosquitoes that transmit malaria.

As ecosystems become less diverse and more fragmented, the spread of zoonotic diseases (those transmitted from animals to humans) increases. The COVID-19 pandemic is a recent example of how environmental degradation and biodiversity loss can facilitate the spread of diseases. Habitat destruction forces wildlife into closer contact with human populations, increasing the likelihood of cross-species transmission.

Mitigating Biodiversity Loss

To mitigate the loss of biodiversity, concerted global efforts are required. Conservation strategies such as the creation of protected areas, sustainable land-use practices, and habitat restoration are essential in preserving species and ecosystems. International agreements like the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) aim to halt biodiversity loss by encouraging countries to integrate biodiversity considerations into their national policies. Additionally, reducing greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change, promoting sustainable agriculture, and controlling invasive species are critical steps toward safeguarding biodiversity.

Public awareness and education also play a vital role in addressing biodiversity loss. People can make informed decisions about their consumption patterns, support conservation initiatives, and advocate for policies that protect the environment. Moreover, local communities, particularly indigenous populations, often have deep knowledge of biodiversity and can play a crucial role in conservation efforts through sustainable practices and traditional ecological knowledge.

The loss of biodiversity is a pressing environmental issue with far-reaching consequences for ecosystems and human society. As biodiversity continues to decline, ecosystems lose their capacity to function effectively, leading to disruptions in food webs, ecosystem services, and overall stability. Human health and well-being are also at risk due to the loss of species that provide essential resources and regulate diseases. Addressing biodiversity loss requires a multifaceted approach, involving international cooperation, conservation strategies, sustainable development, and public engagement. Without immediate action, the world risks further degradation of ecosystems and the collapse of the life-supporting systems on which all species, including humans, depend.

Từ vựng

  1. Biodiversity – Đa dạng sinh học
  2. Ecosystems – Hệ sinh thái
  3. Species diversity – Đa dạng loài
  4. Genetic diversity – Đa dạng di truyền
  5. Ecosystem diversity – Đa dạng hệ sinh thái
  6. Ecosystem functions – Chức năng hệ sinh thái
  7. Ecosystem services – Dịch vụ hệ sinh thái
  8. Habitat destruction – Sự phá hủy môi trường sống
  9. Deforestation – Nạn phá rừng
  10. Agricultural expansion – Sự mở rộng nông nghiệp
  11. Urbanization – Đô thị hóa
  12. Fragmentation – Sự phân mảnh
  13. Climate change – Biến đổi khí hậu
  14. Pollution – Ô nhiễm
  15. Over-exploitation – Khai thác quá mức
  16. Invasive species – Loài xâm lấn
  17. Marine life – Sinh vật biển
  18. Carbon sequestration – Sự lưu giữ carbon
  19. Ocean acidification – Sự axit hóa đại dương
  20. Food chains – Chuỗi thức ăn
  21. Ecological networks – Mạng lưới sinh thái
  22. Food web – Mạng lưới thực phẩm
  23. Pollinators – Loài thụ phấn
  24. Global food security – An ninh lương thực toàn cầu
  25. Predators – Động vật săn mồi
  26. Prey species – Loài con mồi
  27. Aquatic ecosystems – Hệ sinh thái dưới nước
  28. Zoonotic diseases – Bệnh truyền từ động vật sang người
  29. Habitat restoration – Phục hồi môi trường sống
  30. Sustainable agriculture – Nông nghiệp bền vững
  31. Conservation strategies – Chiến lược bảo tồn
  32. Greenhouse gas emissions – Khí thải nhà kính
  33. Consumption patterns – Mô hình tiêu dùng
  34. Indigenous populations – Dân tộc bản địa
  35. Traditional ecological knowledge – Kiến thức sinh thái truyền thống

Câu hỏi IELTS Reading Biodiversity Loss and Its Impact on Ecosystems

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):

  1. What is one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss mentioned in the passage?
    A. Increased tourism
    B. Habitat destruction
    C. Technological advancements
    D. Educational reforms
  2. What role do coral reefs play in ecosystem services, according to the passage?
    A. Providing oxygen to the atmosphere
    B. Supporting fisheries and tourism industries
    C. Regulating the Earth’s temperature
    D. Pollinating global crops
  3. What is one potential consequence of losing pollinators like bees?
    A. Increase in global temperatures
    B. Disruption of food security
    C. Decline in fish populations
    D. Increase in invasive species

True/False/Not Given Questions:

  1. Biodiversity contributes to the resilience of ecosystems by enabling them to recover from disturbances.
    A. True
    B. False
    C. Not Given
  2. Over-exploitation of resources, such as hunting, has minimal impact on biodiversity loss.
    A. True
    B. False
    C. Not Given
  3. The loss of species only affects ecosystems in tropical regions, not temperate areas.
    A. True
    B. False
    C. Not Given

Matching Information Questions:

  1. Match the following drivers of biodiversity loss to their descriptions:
    • A. Pollution
    • B. Invasive species
    • C. Climate change
    • D. Over-exploitation
    1. Introducing non-native organisms that disrupt local species
    2. Emissions from factories affecting the quality of air and water
    3. Altering temperature and precipitation patterns, affecting species survival
    4. Harvesting resources faster than they can be replenished

Short Answer Questions:

  1. What are two ecosystem services provided by biodiversity mentioned in the passage?
  2. How does habitat destruction lead to biodiversity loss?
  3. What are the two main strategies mentioned to mitigate biodiversity loss?

Sentence Completion:

  1. One of the consequences of biodiversity loss is the disruption of __________.
  2. A key factor contributing to the spread of zoonotic diseases is __________.

Summary Completion:

  1. Complete the summary with words from the text:

Biodiversity plays a critical role in maintaining ecosystems by providing essential services such as __________ and __________. However, biodiversity is declining due to various factors, including habitat destruction and __________. The loss of biodiversity leads to disruptions in __________, threatening both ecological balance and human well-being.

Đáp án IELTS Reading Biodiversity Loss and Its Impact on Ecosystems

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):

  1. What is one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss mentioned in the passage?
    B. Habitat destruction
  2. What role do coral reefs play in ecosystem services, according to the passage?
    B. Supporting fisheries and tourism industries
  3. What is one potential consequence of losing pollinators like bees?
    B. Disruption of food security

True/False/Not Given Questions:

  1. Biodiversity contributes to the resilience of ecosystems by enabling them to recover from disturbances.
    A. True
  2. Over-exploitation of resources, such as hunting, has minimal impact on biodiversity loss.
    B. False
  3. The loss of species only affects ecosystems in tropical regions, not temperate areas.
    B. False

Matching Information Questions:

  1. Match the following drivers of biodiversity loss to their descriptions:
    • A. Pollution2. Emissions from factories affecting the quality of air and water
    • B. Invasive species1. Introducing non-native organisms that disrupt local species
    • C. Climate change3. Altering temperature and precipitation patterns, affecting species survival
    • D. Over-exploitation4. Harvesting resources faster than they can be replenished

Short Answer Questions:

  1. What are two ecosystem services provided by biodiversity mentioned in the passage?
    • Food provision
    • Carbon sequestration
  2. How does habitat destruction lead to biodiversity loss?
    Habitat destruction leads to the fragmentation or complete elimination of ecosystems that species depend on for survival.
  3. What are the two main strategies mentioned to mitigate biodiversity loss?
  • Conservation strategies such as creating protected areas
  • Sustainable land-use practices and habitat restoration

Sentence Completion:

  1. One of the consequences of biodiversity loss is the disruption of __________.
    food chains.
  2. A key factor contributing to the spread of zoonotic diseases is __________.
    habitat destruction.

Summary Completion:

  1. Complete the summary with words from the text:

Biodiversity plays a critical role in maintaining ecosystems by providing essential services such as food provision and carbon sequestration. However, biodiversity is declining due to various factors, including habitat destruction and climate change. The loss of biodiversity leads to disruptions in ecosystem functions, threatening both ecological balance and human well-being.

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