Overfishing occurs when fish are harvested at a rate faster than they can reproduce , leading to population declines.

True or False? Overfishing threatens only marine ecosystems.

False. Overfishing threatens both marine and freshwater ecosystems , affecting biodiversity and human livelihoods.

Atlantic populations collapsed in the 1990s due to excessive fishing, forcing long-term fishery closures.

Atlantic cod populations collapsed in the 1990s due to excessive fishing, forcing long-term fishery closures.

Define trophic cascade .

A trophic cascade occurs when a disruption at one level of the food chain triggers indirect effects on other species and habitats.

How can the loss of large predatory fish, such as sharks, damage seagrass beds?

Without large predators, prey species such as rays overpopulate and overgraze important marine vegetation like seagrass beds.

Why is the loss of seagrass beds harmful to marine biodiversity?

Seagrass beds serve as nurseries for many marine species.

True or False? Bottom trawling causes little lasting damage to the seabed.

False. Bottom trawling is a destructive fishing practice that destroys seabed ecosystems, causing long-term damage to coral reefs and seafloor habitats and reducing shelter for marine life.

How does overfishing threaten food security?

Overfishing reduces the availability of seafood, which threatens coastal communities that rely on fish as a protein source , such as some West African nations.

What are the economic consequences of a fisheries collapse?

A fisheries collapse leads to job losses and declining incomes for millions of people in the fishing industry.

How can competition for dwindling fish stocks lead to conflict?

Competition for dwindling fish stocks has led to disputes over fishing rights and illegal fishing , for example in the South China Sea .

AP®Environmental ScienceCollege BoardFlashcardsUnit 5: Land & Water UseImpacts of Overfishing

Impacts of Overfishing (College Board AP® Environmental Science): Flashcards

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Define overfishing.

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Cards in this collection (10)

Define overfishing.
Overfishing occurs when fish are harvested at a rate faster than they can reproduce, leading to population declines.
True or False?
Overfishing threatens only marine ecosystems.
False.
Overfishing threatens both marine and freshwater ecosystems, affecting biodiversity and human livelihoods.
Atlantic populations collapsed in the 1990s due to excessive fishing, forcing long-term fishery closures.
Atlantic cod populations collapsed in the 1990s due to excessive fishing, forcing long-term fishery closures.
Define trophic cascade.
A trophic cascade occurs when a disruption at one level of the food chain triggers indirect effects on other species and habitats.
How can the loss of large predatory fish, such as sharks, damage seagrass beds?
Without large predators, prey species such as rays overpopulate and overgraze important marine vegetation like seagrass beds.
Why is the loss of seagrass beds harmful to marine biodiversity?
Seagrass beds serve as nurseries for many marine species.
True or False?
Bottom trawling causes little lasting damage to the seabed.
False.
Bottom trawling is a destructive fishing practice that destroys seabed ecosystems, causing long-term damage to coral reefs and seafloor habitats and reducing shelter for marine life.
How does overfishing threaten food security?
Overfishing reduces the availability of seafood, which threatens coastal communities that rely on fish as a protein source, such as some West African nations.
What are the economic consequences of a fisheries collapse?
A fisheries collapse leads to job losses and declining incomes for millions of people in the fishing industry.
How can competition for dwindling fish stocks lead to conflict?
Competition for dwindling fish stocks has led to disputes over fishing rights and illegal fishing, for example in the South China Sea.

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