Environmental Impact and Conservation in Spain

Posted on Feb 27, 2025 in Geography

Environmental Impact of the Tertiary Sector

  1. Where does the biggest environmental impact of the tertiary sector come from?

    The biggest environmental impact comes from infrastructure.

  2. What is it required for?

    It is required for tourism and transport.

  3. Name at least two types of transport networks with the most significant impact on the environment.

    Rail transport, road transport, river and sea transport, and air transport.

Economic Activities and Environmental Issues

  1. What are economic activities?

    They are those which add human-made elements to the landscape and alter the environment.

  2. What were the objectives of The Kyoto Protocol?

    Reducing emissions of pollutant gases and halting climate change.

  3. Which are the two main theories on how to deal with environmental issues?

    Degrowth and sustainable development.

  4. What causes the depletion of natural resources?

    The current forms of economic production, which meet our human needs.

  5. What are renewable energies?

    Sources that emit much smaller amounts of pollutant gases.

  6. What is the impact of fishing?

    It contemplates the management of resources in such a way that fish production is increased beyond what can normally be obtained from the wild population.

  7. What are non-renewable energy sources?

    Non-renewable energy is the energy that is spent faster than it is regenerated.

  8. What are the results of deforestation?

    It can result in soil erosion and a loss of biodiversity.

  9. What is the area of farmland?

    It is increasing in order to meet growing demands for food, animal feed and biofuels.

  10. How do agriculture and livestock affect the environment?

    The area of farmland is increasing in order to meet growing demands for food, animal feed, and biofuels.

  11. What is the Kyoto Protocol?

    The Kyoto Protocol is an agreement that its Greenhouse gas emissions in 2012 would be no more than 15% greater than its 1990 emissions.

Environmental Challenges and Conservation in Spain

  1. In which zones of Spain is there less desertification risk?

    Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, and the Basque Country.

  2. How many different species of animals and plants are in Spain?

    There are over 80,000 different species of animals and plants.

  3. What causes climate change to the economy?

    Wine production (primary sector) and tourism (tertiary sector) may suffer effects.

  4. What are the effects of climate change?

    Aside from the environmental problems climate change causes, the economy is also affected.

  5. Name three areas that are protected by international agreements.

    • World Heritage Sites
    • Geoparks
    • Biosphere Reserves

  6. Name the three categories of protected areas in Spain.

    • Areas protected by international agreements
    • Areas in the EU’s Natura 2000 network
    • Natural spaces protected by Spanish legislation

  7. Define one of the protected natural spaces in Spain.

    Nature reserves: Are natural spaces created to protect ecosystems, biological elements, and communities that merit special protection because of their variety, fragility, importance, or uniqueness.

  8. Name all the types of natural spaces in Spain.

    National parks, natural parks, nature reserves, natural monuments, protected landscapes, and marine protected areas.

  9. What is the Natura 2000 network?

    It is the EU’s main instrument for nature conservation. It was established under the Habits and Birds Directives.