1. Loss of Biodiversity (the 6th extinction) - habitat destruction: farming methods, e.g., • overgrazing and monoculture, golf estates, mining, • urbanisation, deforestation; loss of wetlands and • grasslands; - poaching, e.g., for rhino horn, ivory and ‘bush meat’; - alien plant invasions: control using mechanical, chemical and biological methods; and - indigenous knowledge systems and the sustainable use of the environment e.g., devils’claw, rooibos, fynbos, the African potato (Hypoxis) and Hoodia.

2. From Gr 12 Examination Guidelines Loss of biodiversity * State the importance of maintaining biodiversity. * Describe how each of the following factors may reduce biodiversity: • Habitat destruction through: - Farming methods (overgrazing and monoculture) - Golf estates - Mining - Urbanisation - Deforestation - Loss of wetlands and grasslands • Poaching (rhino horn, ivory, 'bush meat' or any other example) • Alien plant invasions * Describe how each of the following factors may reduce the loss of biodiversity: • Control of alien plant invasion using mechanical, chemical and biological methods • The sustainable use of the environment using any ONE of the following examples: devils' claw, rooibos, fynbos, the African potato (Hypoxis) or Hoodia

3. Biodiversityis the degree of variation of life forms within a given species, ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate

4. http://www.biodiversityproject.org/visualizing-biodiversity-loss/http://www.biodiversityproject.org/visualizing-biodiversity-loss/

8. http://www.novamind.com/connect/nm_documents/285

9. http://www.eco-question.com/what-are-the-main-causes-of-biodiversity-losshttp://www.eco-question.com/what-are-the-main-causes-of-biodiversity-loss