ecosystems iii: ecological balance
DESCRIPTION
Biological weapons WHAT IS BIOLOGICAL CONTROL? UNIT 8 Biological weapons WHAT IS BIOLOGICAL CONTROL? Biological control or biological pest control involves using living organisms that are natural enemies (predators, parasites and/or diseases) of species that are harmful to an ecosystem, in order to eliminate them. In this way, biological control is a natural method of pest control that is based on relationships and functions of living things within ecosystems. Biology and Geology. Secondary EducationTRANSCRIPT
Ecosystems III: ecological balance
UNIT 8 Ecosystems III: ecological balance BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS
Biology and Geology. Secondary Education Biological weapons WHAT IS
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL?
UNIT 8 Biological weapons WHAT IS BIOLOGICAL CONTROL? Biological
control or biological pest control involves using living organisms
that are natural enemies (predators, parasites and/or diseases) of
species that are harmful to an ecosystem, in order to eliminate
them. In this way, biological control is a natural method of pest
control that is based on relationships and functions of living
things within ecosystems. Biology and Geology. Secondary Education
Biological weapons WHAT IS BIOLOGICAL CONTROL FOR?
UNIT 8 Biological weapons WHAT IS BIOLOGICAL CONTROL FOR? It is
used mostly to control plagues of insects. These plagues can have
several effects: They cause damage to crops and forests. They can
cause disease in animals and humans (for example, the mosquito that
causes malaria). Biology and Geology. Secondary Education
Biological weapons ADVANTAGES OF BIOLOGICAL CONTROL
UNIT 8 Biological weapons ADVANTAGES OF BIOLOGICAL CONTROL The main
advantage of biological control is that it is a natural remedy
against plagues and plant diseases, and is an alternative to using
insecticides or pesticides. Insecticides and pesticides are highly
pollutant chemicals that can affect the environment, contaminating
soil, air and water, and also human health. Some of these
chemicals, like DDT, were banned once the negative environmental
and health effects became known. Biology and Geology. Secondary
Education Biological weapons LADYBIRDS FOR CONTROLLING APHIDS
UNIT 8 Biological weapons LADYBIRDS FOR CONTROLLING APHIDS Aphids
are a well-known group of insect pests, which are easy to see on
garden plants. Ladybirds, whose larvae and adults feed on aphids,
can be used to reduce aphids. Bacteria that infect aphids can also
be used. Biology and Geology. Secondary Education Biological
weapons BIRDS AND THE PINE PROCESSIONARY
UNIT 8 Biological weapons BIRDS AND THE PINE PROCESSIONARY The pine
processionary is a caterpillar that seriously affects the pine
forests in Spain. Insectivorous birds which inhabit the forests,
like titmice, chickadees and nuthatches, are a good way of
controlling this plague and controlling the natural balance of the
ecosystem: A pair of these birds can consume up to 5 kg of
plague-causing insects or invertebrates a year, like the pine
caterpillars (pine processionary). If we help breed these birds by
placing nesting boxes at sites affected by plagues, these plagues
can be controlled and the populations of insectivorous birds will
also be conserved. Biology and Geology. Secondary Education