3.4 Conservation of Biodiversity Flashcards
aesthetic reasons for preserving species and habitats
pleasant to look at + provide beauty and inspiration
ethical reasons for preserving species and habitats
everyone has responsibilities to protect resources for future gen.
- very broad and can include intrinsic or utilitarian value
economic reasons for preserving species and habitats
- value of genetic resources for humans
- commerical considerations of the natural capital
- value of ecotourism (which benefits from higher biodiversity)
ecological reasons for preserving species and habitats
- conserving rare habitats
- ecosystems with high levels of diversity are usually more stable
- healthy ecosystems are more likely to provide ecological services
- species diversity should be preserved as it can have knock on effects on the rest of the food chain
social reasons for preserving species and habitats
- loss of natural ecosystems can lead to loss of people’s homes, sources of livelihood and culture
- employment opportunities for locals through tourism, and so support social cohesion and cultural services
goods ecosystems provide
- food
- fibre
- fuel
- water from aquifers, rivers and lakes
support services ecosystems provide
essentials for life, including primary productivity, soil formation and the cycling of nutrients
regulatory services ecosystems provide
- pollination
- regulation of pests and diseases
- climate regulation
- flood regulation
- water quality regulation
- erosion control
role of IGOs
intergovernmental organisations are established though international agreements. they bring governments together to work and to protect Earths natural resources
an example is the UNEP
role of NGOs
non governmental organisations are not run by, funded by, influenced by governments of any country
examples are: greenpeace, and the world wildlife fund (WWF)
NGO vs IGO
first time international community came together to consider the global enviornment + development needs
UN Conference on the Human Environment (Stockholm, 1972)
-> let to Stockholm Decleration
similarities between NGO and IGO
- both provide environmental info to the public on global trends, publishing scientific research and technical reports
- both lead and encourage partnership between nations and organisations to conserve and restore ecosystems and biodiversity
- both seek to ensure that decisions are applied
- both collaborate in global, transnational scientific research reports
- both provide forums for discussion
- IGOs monitor regional and global trends, NGOs also monitor species and conservation areas at a variety of levels,from local to global
recent international conventions on biodiversity
UN convention on Biological Diversity
- signed at UN Rio Earth Summit in 1992 which was attended by 172 governments and set the agenda for the sustainable development of the Earths resources
three overarching objectives:
The conservation of biological diversity (genetic diversity, species diversity and habitat diversity). The sustainable use of biological diversity. The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilisation of genetic resources
WCS
World Conservation Strategy
- 1980
- by the IUCN
3 aims:
- maintaining essential life-supporting systems (climate, water cycle, soils) and ecological processes
- preserving genetic diversity
- using species and ecosystems in a suitable way
shape of protected areas
round is better than all other shapes because it reduces edge effect
corridors (protected areas)
provide safe passage between protected areas
size (protected areas)
larger space allows for larger populations and gene pools, and a wider variety of species
edge effect (protected areas)
less edge is better; edge creates differences in the structure of an ecosystem, called an ecotone (an area where 2 ecosystems meet), which influences what may successfully live there
proximity (protected areas)
if protected areas are close to another, they are more effective than isolated islands
buffer zones
area around a conservation area; help to protect conservation areas and maintain equilibrium and biodiversity
- contain habitats that are either managed or undisturbed
- minimise disturbance from outside influences such as people, agriculture, or invasion by diseases or pests
in situ
the conservation of species in their natural habitat
ex situ
the preservation of species outside their natural habitat i.e. zoos, botanical gardens
evaluating the success of a protected area
- provide vital habitat for indigenous species (can incl. habitat and food for migrating species such as birds)
- create community support for the area
- receive adequate funding and resources
- carry out relevant ecological research and monitoring
- play an important role in education
- protected by legislation
- have policing and guarding policies
- give the site economic value
best design for protected areas
- corridors (facilitate migration)
- bigger (more niches, more species, less edge effect)
- close proximity (greater recolonisation, easier to disperse)
- single, large area > several small ones (more species niches and habitat variety, supports larger populations, ideal for larger mammals/apex predators)
significant factor in the success of the conservation effort
location
- use of surrounding land
- distance from urban centres
species based conservation, what is it?
focuses on vulnerable species and in raising their profile
species based conservation involves:
- keystone species
- flagship species
- CITES
- captive breeding and reintroduction programmes
- zoos
keystone species
essential for the functioning of the ecosystem and in protecting the integrity of the food web
example keystone species
figs in tropical rainforests
flagship species
charismatic species
example flagship species
bengal tiger
CITES
Convention of the International Trade in Endangered Species (of Wild Fauna and Flora)
international agreement aimed at preventing trade in endangered species of plants and animals, therefore:
- reduces demand for trade
- contributes to species conservation
example of species CITES has helped to protect
elephants and rhinos by reducing trade in ivory and rhino horn
CITES pro and cons
Captive breeding and zoos pros and cons
flagship/charismatic species pros and cons
keystone species pros and cons
a mixed approach to conservation
combining both in situ and ex situ methods
