3.4 Conservation of Biodiverity

Question 1

what are four reasons to preserve biodiversity?

Answer 1

food source

ecological services

economic value

gene pools

Question 2

can you expand on food sources as a reason to preserve biodiversity?

Answer 2

availability of diverse foods in diet aids human health, a lack of biodiversity could lead to pests and diseases wiping out strains currently used for food.

Question 3

can you expand on ecological servises as a reason to preserve biodiversity?

Answer 3

preservation of as many species and natural habitats as possible may render the environment more stable

Question 4

can you expand on economic value as a reason to preserve biodiversity?

Answer 4

many of the products we use in our day-to-day, other than food and medicine, are natural products. E.G palm oil and latex.

Question 5

can you expand on gene pools as a reason to preserve biodiversity?

Answer 5

wild plants and animals are sources of genes for genetic engineering.

Question 6

what does IGO stand for and can you give an example of an IGO?

Answer 6

intergovernmental organisation, e.g European environmental agency.

Question 7

what does GO stand for and can your give an example of a GO?

Answer 7

government organisation, E.g environmental protection agency, USA

Question 8

what does NGO stand for and can you give an example?

Answer 8

non-governmental organisation. E.g green peace.

Question 9

Compare and contrast IGO, GO and NGOs.

Answer 9

k1) IGOs tend to be more conservative, meaning they often take a more conventional approach and are not likely to be controversial.

WHEREAS..

2) NGOs tend to be more radical and field-based. This means they gather up evidence and information to back up their arguments.

WHEREAS..

3) GO gathers information with scientific research that they pay for.

Question 10

can you give examples of IGO, GO and NGOs fulfilling their roles?

Answer 10

UNEP works with direct links to many countries’ governments.

WWF’s influence more indirect and depends heavily on lobbying, public protests and pressure groups.

Question 11

IGO, GO and NGOs are all involved in conservation, list and explain the factors that influence how successful they are and conserving and restoring ecosystems?

Answer 11

use of media-
IGOs work with the media to communicate its policies and decisions effectively to the public. NGOs gain media attention less directly and use their radical approaches to gain attention through shock factor.

speed of response-
NGOs are fast to respond, members can reach a consensus. IGOs slower to respond due to Bureaucracy and government involvement.

political pressure-
IGOs’ decisions can be politically (and economically) driven rather than for the best conservation strategy as is the case with NGOs.

funding-
IGos fund projects with national budgets while NGOs tend to have private and smaller funding.

Question 12

outline the role that the UN has on ecological conservation?

Answer 12

International cooperation was formalised with the UN.

UNEP set up intergovermntal panel on climate change and drove the Montreal protocol for phasing out CFC production.

Question 13

The World Conservation Strategy (WCS) , published in 1980, was pivotal.

a) list the organisations who were involved?

b) outline its aims?

Answer 13

a) international Unions for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP)
world wide fund for nature (WWF)

b) maintain essential ecological processes and life support systems.
preserve genetic diversity.
ensure the sustainable utilisation of spies and ecosystems.

Question 14

outline the timeline showing major milestones in international co-operation of biodiversity conservation.

Answer 14

1961- World Wildlife Fund set up by IUCN + Julian Huxley.

1973- convention on the international trade of endangered species of flora and fauna (CITES)

1980- World Conservation Strategy.

1992- Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro produced agenda 21. Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Rio Declaration leading to BAPs (Biodcistiy Action Plans).

2000- U millennial summit and the establishment of millennium development goals.

2010-international year of biodiversity.

2016- 17 sustainable development goals, 14 and 15, life in water and life on land goals.

Question 15

what are the two things consevration efforts always envolve?

Answer 15

either habitat conservation or species conservation, often it is both.

Question 16

what is species conservation?

Answer 16

Focuse son conserving the spcies but not the habitiat in which it lives.

Question 17

what is habitat conservation?

Answer 17

these strategies focus on the conservation of a habitat so the species within it can survive.

Question 18

what does CITES stand for?

Answer 18

convention of International trade in endangered species.

Question 19

outline the aims of CITES?

Answer 19

to ensure that the international trade of specimens of wild animals and plants does not endanger their survival.

Question 20

CITES slips organisms into different categories, what are they are why might an organism but put into one?

Answer 20

APPENDIX 1-
species can not be traded internationally as they are under threat of extinction.

APPENDIX 2-
species can be traded internationally with strict regulations to ensure its suitability.

APPENDIX 3-
a species included at the request of a country that then needs to cooperation of other countries to help prevent illegal explotation.

Question 21

what are some examples of captive breedeing factiities?

Answer 21

zoos, aquaria and other spcilised breeding facitilies.

Question 22

outline what the term ‘captive breeding programme’ means?

Answer 22

spcies that are bred, or their DNA kept, in captivity.

Question 23

what is an example of a successful breeding programme?

Answer 23

Black Footed Ferret
Critically endangered

The Black-footed ferret population fell drastically in the earlier half of the 20th century, mainly due to habitat loss.

Concerted efforts over the last thirty years from many federal and state agencies, Native American tribes, private landowners, zoos, and conservation organisations have assisted in the survival of Black-footed ferrets.

Question 24

evaluate the difficulties of re-introduction into a habitat for an organism from a breeding programme?

Answer 24

Animals may become dependent upon humans E.g Orangutans having to be re-taught how to clime and socialise.

Plants may be dug up by collectors, outcompeted by other plants or eaten by herbiovers.

Question 25

evaluate ethical objections to zoos?

Answer 25

sometimes animals are kept in close confinment in small cages or treated with cruelty.

Question 26

evaluate the financial cost of breeding programmes?

Answer 26

expensive and long-term costs. Unpredictable bills with vet or health complications.

Question 27

summaries the function of seed banks?

Answer 27

where seeds, frozen or dry, are stored. A way of preserving the genetic variation of a spies if they were to be lost in the wild.

With crops, the seeds represent many more varieties of current species.

Question 28

state what is mean by a flagship/iconic species?

Answer 28

these are speices that are charasmatic, instantly recognisable, popular and can capture outr imaginations. Bengal Tiger.

Question 29

evaluate the use of iconic scpies for conservation?

Answer 29

instant appeal- funds from the public.

umbrella effect- lemur and madegascar

priority- they can gain priority over more ecologically significant organisms.

Dangerous species- Bengal tiger and Asian elephant may come into conflict with humans by predatory behaviour or habitat destruction.

Question 30

what is meant by the term ‘key stone species’?

Answer 30

keystone species are species that are vital for the continuing function of an ecosystem. Their disappearance can have an impact far grater than and not proportional too their numbers or bio mass.

E.G sea otters.