11.8 Methods of Maintaining Biodiversity

Question 1

What is conservation?

Answer 1

Maintenance of biodiversity

Question 2

What is in-situ conservation?

Answer 2

conservation methods

within the natural habitat

Question 3

What is ex-situ conservation?

Answer 3

conservation methods

out of the natural habitat

Question 4

Define:

a. extinct
b. extinct in the wild
c. endangered
d. vulnerable

Answer 4

a. no organisms of the species exist anywhere in the world.
b. organisms of the species only exists in captivity.
c. a species which is in danger of extinction.
d. a species which is likely to become extinct in the near future.

Question 5

What is sustainable development?

Answer 5

economic development

which meets the needs of today

without limiting the ability of future generations to meet their needs

Question 6

What are the forms of in-situ conservation?

Answer 6

• Wildlife reserves
• Marine conservation zones

Question 7

What are the forms of ex-situ conservation?

Answer 7

• Botanic gardens
• Seed banks
• Captive breeding programmes

Question 8

How do wildlife reserves maintain biodiversity?

Answer 8

• CONTROLLED GRAZING/POACHING
• RESTRICTING HUMAN ACCESS
• FEEDING ANIMALS
• REINTRODUCING SPECIES
• CULLING OF INVASIVE SPECIES
• HALTING SUCCESSION

Question 9

What is succession?

Answer 9

Natural process by which early colonising species

are replaced over time

until stable, mature population reached

Question 10

What is a seed bank?

Answer 10

Store of genetic material from plants

in the form of seeds

Question 11

Why may organisms born in captivity not be suitable for release in the wild?

Answer 11

• DISEASE - captively bred organisms have a loss of resistance to local diseases
• BEHAVIOUR - non-innate behaviour remains unlearned
• GENETIC RACES - genetic makeup differs so much from original population, cannot interbreed
• HABITAT - habitat may need restoring to prevent high tension due to competition

Question 12

What types of conservation agreements are in place to maintain biodiversity?

Answer 12

• IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature
• Rio Convention
  
  • CBD - requires countries to implement sustainable development strategies
  • UNFCCC - stabilising greenhouse gas concentrations
  • UNCCD - combat desertification
• Countryside Stewardship
  
  • sustain beauty & diversity of landscape
  • improve, extend & create wildlife habitats
  • restore neglected land