2. Conservation of Biodiversity Flashcards
importance of conserving biodiversity
resources
biomimetics
new food species
medicines
physiological research
pest control species
genetic species
ecosystem services
resources
wood
fibres
oils
fuels
food
new food species
indigenous species are usually better adapted than introduced species to local conditions such as climate, pests and soil conditions and therefore may have higher survival rates. Selective breeding may be needed to enhance desires
biomimetics
involves the use of knowledge of the adaptations of other species, to improve the designers of manufactured items. all species have evolved over long period of time, developing adaptations that increase their chances of survival.
vehicle design - biomimetics
the splayed wingtip feathers of soaring birds reduce wind turbulence and drag. copying the feather structures has improved aircraft wing designs to help increase fuel efficiency.
infection control - biomimetics
bacteria do not stick easily to shark skin. A coating material that imitates shark skin is used in hospital operating theatres to help control bacterial infections
architecture - biomimetics
the mounds that terminates construct above the ground absorb sunlight and become hot. The hot air inside riser creating a convection current. This draws stale air out of lower parts of the nest and creates a natural solar-driven ventilation system.
adhesion - biomimetics
seeds of some plants have burrs with hooks that can stick to the fur of passing animals and aid seed dispersal
materials - biomimetics
some natural materials have properties that can be applied to the manufacture of synthetic materials. The lightweight, flexible, strong silk produced by spiders is being copied to produce better car airbags and bod armour.
Medicines
plants need to protect themselves from herbivores. Some plants use thorns, spikes, and bad tastes but others produce chemicals that are toxic to the animals that may eat them.
physiological research
some species have evolved to become adapted to specific environmental conditions. Studying these could give a greater understanding of human health problems.
pest control species
A wide range of predators, herbivores, parasites, and pathogens are used to control agricultural pests. Some may be indigenous species, while others may have to be introduced.
Genetic Resources
Many populations of wild plants have genetic characteristics that may be used in breeding programmes to improve cultivated crop varieties
ex situ
conservation away from where they would normally live. it often involves the breeding of species in captivity so that some of the young produced can be released to boost the wild population.
in-situ
conservation in a habitat suitable for the species that will live there.
habitat size - keeping species in captivity
some species require such large habitats that they cannot be kept in captivity. This is often the case for large animals like whales
food requirements - keeping species in captivity
some species have feeding requirements that cannot easily be provided, for example, insectivorous bats, or fish that eat plankton.
species interrelationships - keeping species in captivity
some species have complicated species interrelationships such as plants with symbiotic mycorrhizal root fungi relationships, plants with specific pollinators, or the large blue butterfly that overwrites in ants nests.
financial constraints - keeping species in captivity
keeping animals in zoos, or plants in botanic gardens, is expensive and there is not enough money available to keep all endangered species in captivity
captive breeding programs
conditions for breeding
population interactions and breeding success
breeding habitat
gene pool size
hybridisation
conditions for breeding
the precise timing of breeding is vital to increase survival chances of the young. Breeding is often triggered by stimuli such as day length, light energy, temperature, amount of food or stored body fat. if needs are not met, they won’t breed.
population interactions and breeding success
in captivity, the mixing of breeding and non-breeding individuals may cause conflict and reduce the survival of eggs and chicks. some species breed more successfully if breeding adults are seperate from the other adults.
breeding habitat
some species only breed if they have a suitable habitat such as one that includes a suitable site for courtship display, social grouping, an area for hunting, or a nest site.
gene pool size
most captive breeding populations have small gene pools which increases the risk of inbreeding. harmful recessive genes may be common in the population but they can only be ‘expressed’ and cause undesirable characteristics in the offspring if both parents have it
hybridisation
a species in the wild includes individuals that naturally interbreed to produce fertile offspring. in captivity, individuals may inter-breed closely related species or varieties that would not have naturally met in the wild.
