Understanding Biodiversity: Importance, Threats, and Conservation
Understanding Biodiversity
Definition: Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth, its biological diversity is commonly referred to as biodiversity. Biodiversity is important because a larger number of plant species means a greater variety of crops; greater species diversity ensures natural sustainability.
The Importance of Biodiversity
A healthy biodiversity provides a number of natural services for everyone:
Ecosystem Services:
- Protection of water resources
- Soil formation and protection
- Nutrient storage
Environmental Issues and Urban Development Explained
Environmental Issues and Their Impact
Air Pollution
Air pollution originates from industrial emissions. Its consequences include:
- Global warming due to increased CO2 and other gases.
- Thinning of the ozone layer due to CFCs.
- Air pollution in cities from traffic and industrial activities.
Water Exploitation and Pollution
The exploitation of water results from excessive consumption.
- Freshwater pollution is caused by untreated discharges from agricultural and urban activities.
- Oceans and seas are polluted by
Iberian Peninsula Mountain Systems and Depressions
Iberian Peninsula: Mountain Systems and External Depressions
The Iberian Peninsula features diverse mountain systems and external depressions. Here’s a breakdown:
Iberian System
Located in the eastern part of the plateau, the Iberian System separates it from the Ebro basin and the plains of Valencia. This system stretches approximately 400 km in a northwest-southeast direction, from the Sierra de la Demanda to the foothills of Iberian Valencia. It is divided into two sections:
- Northern Sector: Includes
Global Trade Imbalances, Geopolitics, and Spain’s Role
Unequal Trade
The volume of trade from the least developed countries is very low. Many countries with subsistence economies cannot access international trade. Other countries reap highly valued products such as coffee, cotton, cocoa, and sugar for global marketing. The prices of these products are set by multinationals. The least developed countries remain outside of international trade.
There are three global trade flows linking North America, the EU, and Japan-Korea. Trade balances of these countries
Read MoreSpanish Population: Life Expectancy, Evolution, and Structure
Life Expectancy in Spain
Life expectancy represents the number of years a person can expect to live from the moment of birth. Throughout history, life expectancy has increased. In Spain, life expectancy in 1900 was approximately 35 years. Currently, it stands at 78 years for men and 85 for women.
Until recently, this difference was attributed to men’s greater involvement in risky activities, wars, and vulnerability to certain diseases.
Evolution of the Spanish Population
As a result of various factors,
Read MoreSpanish and French Exploration of North America
Hernando de Soto
- Led the first European expedition deep into the southeastern U.S. and crossed the Mississippi River.
- Participated in the conquest of Peru in the early 1530s as one of Francisco Pizarro’s captains, becoming immensely wealthy in the process.
- Charged with colonizing North America and finding a passage to China: set off from Cuba in 1539 with 9 ships and over 600 men on a planned 4-year expedition.
- Landed on the west coast of Florida and traveled first in a northerly direction before