24.4 - Conservation + Preservation

Question 1

What is conservation?

Answer 1

• Maintenance of biodiversity through human action/management
• Management of ecosystems so natural resources can be used without running out
• Reclamation: process of restoring destroyed ecosystems, can include controlled burning

Question 2

What is preservation?

Answer 2

Protection of area by restricting human interference so ecosystem is kept in original state

• used when preserving sensitive resources which can be easily damaged
• usually objects and buildings preserved, and environment is conserved

Question 3

What is the importance of conservation?

Answer 3

• Economic: potential medicinal species go extinct before discovery, soil erosion = no crops growing (deforestation), ecotourism brings money and employment, good for cross breeding
• Aesthetic: inspiration for artists, relaxing
• Ethical: duty to provide opportunities for future generations to enjoy, leave the planet as we found it, humans ruined it so must take responsibility for fixing it