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.
