11.8 - Methods of maintaining biodiversity Flashcards
What is conservation?
Conservation is the preservation and careful management of the environment and natural resources to maintain biodiversity.
What are the two main types of conservation?
- In situ conservation (within the natural habitat)
- Ex situ conservation (outside the natural habitat)
What are the four categories used to classify species for conservation purposes?
- Extinct – No individuals exist anywhere in the world.
- Extinct in the wild – Only exist in captivity.
- Endangered – At risk of extinction.
- Vulnerable – Likely to become endangered in the near future.
What is sustainable development?
Economic development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
What is in situ conservation?
Conservation that takes place inside an organism’s natural habitat, preserving genetic diversity and interdependent relationships within ecosystems.
Why is in situ conservation important?
It maintains genetic diversity, allows species to adapt to changing conditions, and is generally cheaper than ex situ conservation.
What are some examples of in situ conservation areas?
Wildlife reserves, marine conservation zones, and national parks.
What are some active management techniques used in wildlife reserves?
Controlled grazing to allow plant species to recover.
Restricting human access to sensitive areas.
Controlled poaching prevention through barriers and laws.
Feeding animals to increase survival rates.
Reintroduction of species that have disappeared from the area.
Removal of invasive species that compete with native species.
Halting succession to preserve certain ecosystems (e.g., heathlands).
What is succession, and how is it managed in conservation?
Succession is the natural process where early colonizing species are replaced over time until a stable ecosystem is formed. It is managed through controlled grazing to maintain specific habitats.
Why are marine conservation zones important?
They protect species-rich areas like coral reefs, provide refuge for fish populations, and help replenish nearby fishing areas.
What is ex situ conservation?
Conservation that involves removing organisms from their natural habitat to protect and breed them in controlled environments.
What are examples of ex situ conservation?
Botanic gardens, seed banks, and captive breeding programs.
How do botanic gardens contribute to conservation?
They cultivate plant species under optimal conditions, protecting genetic diversity and preserving species that may be lost in the wild.
What is a seed bank?
A gene bank that stores seeds at low temperatures to preserve their viability for future growth and biodiversity protection.
Why are seed banks important?
They provide a backup against species extinction and preserve plant genetic material for agriculture and medicine.
What are the limitations of seed banks?
Some seeds, especially from tropical rainforest trees, cannot survive drying and freezing.
What is a captive breeding program?
A program that breeds endangered species in controlled environments to increase their population and potentially reintroduce them into the wild.
What are the main challenges of captive breeding programs?
Limited genetic diversity due to a small breeding population.
Inbreeding problems.
Captive-bred animals may struggle to survive in the wild.
How do scientists maintain genetic diversity in captive breeding?
By using techniques such as artificial insemination, embryo transfer, and cryogenic storage of embryos.
Why might some captive-bred animals not be suitable for release?
Diseases from captivity could spread to wild populations.
Behavioral issues may make survival difficult.
Genetic differences from wild populations.
Loss of natural habitat may make reintroduction impossible.
Why are international conservation agreements important?
Many species cross national borders, requiring global cooperation to protect habitats and prevent extinction.
What is the role of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)?
It secures international conservation agreements and publishes the Red List of threatened species.
What is CITES, and what does it do?
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) regulates the trade of endangered plants and animals to prevent overexploitation.
How many species are protected under CITES?
Over 35,000 species of animals and plants.
What was the Earth Summit, and why was it significant?
A 1992 meeting of 172 nations in Rio de Janeiro that resulted in key agreements on biodiversity, climate change, and desertification.
What are the three main agreements of the Rio Convention?
- Convention on Biological Diversity – Ensures countries develop strategies to protect biodiversity.
- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – Aims to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations.
- United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) – Prevents land degradation and desertification.
What was the Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS)?
A UK government initiative (1991–2014) that paid farmers and landowners to conserve and enhance the English landscape.
What were the main goals of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme?
Preserve landscape beauty and diversity.
Improve and extend wildlife habitats.
Restore neglected land and conserve historical sites.
Enhance public enjoyment of the countryside.
What replaced the Countryside Stewardship Scheme?
The Environmental Stewardship Scheme, which continues to support conservation in farming practices.
What is the main advantage of in situ conservation over ex situ conservation?
It maintains the natural environment, allowing species to evolve naturally and interact with their ecosystem.
What are the main threats that conservation efforts aim to mitigate?
Habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, poaching, overfishing, and invasive species.
Why is restricting human access important in conservation?
It prevents habitat disturbance, protects breeding sites, and reduces human impact on ecosystems.
How do marine conservation zones help replenish fish stocks?
By providing safe breeding and nursery areas, allowing populations to recover and spread to surrounding waters.
What is a gene bank?
A facility that stores genetic material, such as seeds, embryos, or DNA samples, to preserve genetic diversity for future use.
What are some techniques used to prevent inbreeding in captive breeding programs?
Artificial insemination, embryo transfer, genetic databases, and international cooperation to exchange genetic material.
How do scientists test the viability of seeds stored in seed banks?
By periodically removing samples, germinating them, and checking their growth and health.
What is overexploitation, and how does it impact biodiversity?
The excessive use of natural resources (e.g., overfishing, deforestation) that leads to population declines and ecosystem damage.
Why do some species struggle to survive after being reintroduced to the wild?
They may lack survival skills, face habitat changes, struggle to find food, or be at risk from predators.
How do humans benefit from biodiversity conservation?
It supports ecosystem services such as clean air, water purification, climate regulation, and food production.
What role do national parks play in conservation?
They provide legal protection for ecosystems, preserve wildlife, and promote sustainable tourism.
How does deforestation impact biodiversity?
It destroys habitats, reduces species populations, disrupts ecosystems, and contributes to climate change.
What is ecological restoration?
The process of repairing ecosystems that have been degraded, damaged, or destroyed.
What are ecosystem services, and why are they important?
Natural processes provided by ecosystems, such as pollination, soil fertility, and carbon storage, which benefit humans and wildlife.
