3.4 conservation of biodiversity

Question 1

different approaches to conservation of biodiversity

Answer 1

• policies and legislation
• designation of protected areas
• education programs
• promotion of sustainable activities, ecotourism
• habitat restoration programs
• species breeding programs

Question 2

reasons to conserve biodiversity
utilitarian

Answer 2

• utilitarian = economic value
• consumptive use, goods harvested - food, timber, medicine
• non consumptive use, aesthetic, recreational, educational
• ecological services, carbon sink, production of oxygen, water filtration, waste assimilation, nutrient recycling, flood control
• option value, future value, discovery of new medicines
• bequest value, benefits to future generations

Question 3

reasons to conserve biodiversity
non- utilitarian

Answer 3

• non-utilitarian = no economic value
• intrinsic value, biorights
• existence value, satisfaction knowing it exists

Question 4

millenium ecosystem assessment (2005)

Answer 4

• provision value, food, freshwater, wood, fuel
• regulating value, climate change, flood regulation, water purification
• supporting value, nutrient cycling, soil formation, primary production
• cultural value, aesthetic, spiritual, educational, recreational

Question 5

NGOs trying to change policies

Answer 5

• lobby governments, petitions, boycotts, protests
• use of media, bring attention to the issue
• direct action, ecotage stop ecological damage, human blockade
• education
• research, assessing situation, identifying threats and solutions
• purchasing threatened habitat areas
• working with governments
• monitoring activity, making sure enforcement of legislation

Question 6

IGOs

Answer 6

• intergovernmental organization
• UNEP, IPCC
• produce legislation
• provision of information
• world press convention meetings
• long decision making process
• politically driven
• often little connection to local communities

Question 7

CITES (1973)

Answer 7

• ratified more than 180 nations
• international trade does not threaten survival of the species
• permitted vs banned flora and fauna to trade

pros
- restricts trade
- encourages education
- increases awarness
- can stimulate funding

cons
- voluntary not mandatory
- species conservation, main threat to biodiversity is habitat loss
- difficult to enforce
- underground trade
- limited resources, other priorities

Question 8

World Heritage Convention (1972)

Answer 8

• ratified more than 190 nations
• identifies and protects cultural/natural heritage sites
• encourages cooperation to conserve

Question 9

IPPC (1952)

Answer 9

• ratified more than 180 nations
• prevent introduction and spread of disease

Question 10

flagship species

Answer 10

• charismatic animals
• symbol of conservation

Question 11

umbrella species

Answer 11

• require large habitat area
• protecting habitat of this species protects habitats of others

Question 12

keystone species

Answer 12

• lost can lead to the demise of other species
• others in food web reliant on it

Question 13

in situ conservation

Answer 13

• protection of a species in their habitat

Question 14

ex situ conservation

Answer 14

• improving the probability of survival by taking them out of habitat, breeding in captivity to reintroduce to the wild in the future

cons
- finances
- habitat loss unaddressed
- small gene pool
- maybe unable to survive if reintroduced
- can be detrimental to health
- risk of disease
- ethical concerns

Question 15

wildlife coridors

Answer 15

pros
- allow migration between reserves
- increase gene pool
- seasonal migration

cons
- increase spread of disease
- threat from invasive species
- threat from predators and hunters

Question 16

features of a successful protected area

Answer 16

• community support and involvement
• adequate funding
• education
• effective management
• legislation
• legal status as protected
• variety of biodiversity