3.4 Conservation of Biodiversity Flashcards
Threats to the kakapo
Habitat loss, introduced predators, infertility (low genetic diversity), natural disasters (small geographic range), disease.
Predator Free 2050
A campaign being undertaken by New Zealand to rid itself of introduced predators by 2050
Eradication
the complete and permanent elimination of all individuals of a particular species or disease from a specific area or globally.
Supplementary feeding
Giving of extra food to wild populations when food resources are scarce
In situ, species-based conservation strategy
Artificial incubation
carefully controlling the hatching environment of eggs removed from the wild or bred in captivity
Artificial insemination
involves directly inserting sperm into a female’s reproductive tract to facilitate pregnancy without natural mating
Species-based conservation strategy
Species brought back from the brink of extinction
California Condor
Bald Eagle
Giant Panda
American Bison
Southern White Rhinoceros
Svalbard Seed Vault
a secure seed bank in Norway, designed to store duplicates of seeds from seed collections worldwide to ensure against the loss of genetic diversity in the event of global crises.
Good things about zoos
- Conservation of endangered species
- Educational opportunities for visitors
- Breeding programs for rare species
- Protect species that are vulnerable in the wild
“Bad” things about zoos
- Limited space for animals
- Artificial living environments
- Risk of disease transmission
- Ethical concerns over captivity
- Traditionally animals removed from wild populations.
Species-based conservation
Conservation efforts focused on protecting specific species from extinction.
Habitat-based conservation
Conservation strategy aimed at preserving and managing natural habitats to support the biodiversity within them.
In situ vs ex situ conservation
In situ conservation protects species in their natural habitats, while ex situ conservation involves preserving species outside their natural environments, such as in zoos or botanical gardens.
Flagship species
A species selected to act as an ambassador, icon, or symbol for a habitat, issue, or environmental cause.
Often, charismatic (cute) and recognizable. Examples include, pandas, orangutan, koala.
Umbrella species
a species whose conservation provides protection to a wide range of other species that share its habitat
National Parks
A natural area protected by the state (government) for the enjoyment of the general public or the preservation of wildlife.
Advantages of National Park System
Conservation of biodiversity: Protects diverse ecosystems and wildlife.
Recreational opportunities: Offers public access for outdoor activities.
Economic benefits: Boosts local economies through tourism.
Disadvantages of National Park System
Often skewed towards less economically valuable country (mountain ranges/deserts)
Overcrowding: Popular parks may suffer from high visitor impact.
Management of large area with limited staff can lead to less desirable outcomes (eg spread of invasive species)
Native peoples driven from traditional lands can disrupt ecological processes and maitenanc
Advantages of achieving World Heritage status
International recognition: Elevates site’s cultural and natural significance.
Increased tourism: Boosts local economy through visitor spending.
Conservation funding: Attracts funds for preservation efforts.
Disadvantages of achieving World Heritage status
Tourism pressure: Can lead to environmental and structural damage.
Local restrictions: May impose limitations on development and usage.
UNESCO - World Heritage program
an initiative that seeks to identify, preserve, and promote cultural and natural heritage around the world deemed of outstanding value to humanity
SLOSS (acronym)
The SLOSS debate (Single Large Or Several Small) concerns the effectiveness of conservation strategies, questioning whether a single large or several small reserves better preserve biodiversity.
Edge effect
changes in population or community structures that occur at the boundary of two or more habitats, often leading to increased biodiversity and ecological interactions but also potential for greater vulnerability among species.
Ecotone
a transition area between two different ecological communities or biomes, where you often find a high degree of biodiversity and species from both adjacent areas.
Nature corridor
a designated strip of natural habitat that connects wildlife populations, allowing for movement and genetic exchange between isolated groups.
Buffer zone
an area designated around a protected region where restrictions are placed on activities to reduce the impact on the core protected area
Conservation vs preservation
Conservation involves the sustainable use and management of natural resources to meet current and future human needs, while preservation seeks to protect natural resources from use and maintain them in their pristine state
The United Nations
An international organization founded in 1945 to promote peace, security, and cooperation among countries worldwide
IGOs
An intergovernmental organization, composed of sovereign states , which is established by treaty or other agreement that acts as a charter creating the group.
(Eg. UNEP, IUCN, CBD, IPCC)
NGOs
A non-governmental organization, which is a group, usually nonprofit, that operates independently of any government. Maintain a public profile, and operate through grants, donations and volunteers.
GOs
A governmental organization (managed by the State), often funded by taxpayers.
Ramsar
An international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands, aiming to halt their degradation or loss.
(Ramsar is a city in Iran)
CITES
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, an international agreement aimed at ensuring that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
Main differences between GOs and NGOs
Funding: GOs are government-funded; NGOs rely on private and public donations.
Autonomy: NGOs operate independently; GOs are state-controlled entities.
Scope of Influence: GOs have national authority; NGOs may have global focus.
Objectives: GOs have broader policy goals; NGOs are issue-specific.
Regulatory Power: GOs can enforce laws; NGOs advocate for policy changes.
Examples of conservation NGOs
WWF, Greenpeace, Bush Heritage
Conservation dependent species
those that require ongoing human intervention and management to prevent them from becoming endangered or extinct.
Why “single large” is better than “several small” in conservation
Less edge effect: Minimizes interactions with human-altered environments.
Greater habitat continuity: Supports larger populations and wide-ranging species.
Lower management costs: One large area may be easier to manage.
Enhanced genetic diversity: Reduces the risk of inbreeding in isolated populations.
Why “several small” is better than “single large” in conservation
Multiple habitats: Protects a greater variety of ecosystems and species.
Redundancy: Loss of one site doesn’t doom the species.
Mitigates risk: Spreads risk of disaster across multiple locations.
