3.4 Conservation of Biodiversity Flashcards

1
Q

aesthetic reasons for preserving species and habitats

A

pleasant to look at + provide beauty and inspiration

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2
Q

ethical reasons for preserving species and habitats

A

everyone has responsibilities to protect resources for future gen.
- very broad and can include intrinsic or utilitarian value

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3
Q

economic reasons for preserving species and habitats

A
  • value of genetic resources for humans
  • commerical considerations of the natural capital
  • value of ecotourism (which benefits from higher biodiversity)
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4
Q

ecological reasons for preserving species and habitats

A
  • 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
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5
Q

social reasons for preserving species and habitats

A
  • 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
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6
Q

goods ecosystems provide

A
  • food
  • fibre
  • fuel
  • water from aquifers, rivers and lakes
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7
Q

support services ecosystems provide

A

essentials for life, including primary productivity, soil formation and the cycling of nutrients

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8
Q

regulatory services ecosystems provide

A
  • pollination
  • regulation of pests and diseases
  • climate regulation
  • flood regulation
  • water quality regulation
  • erosion control
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9
Q

role of IGOs

A

intergovernmental organisations are established though international agreements. they bring governments together to work and to protect Earths natural resources

an example is the UNEP

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10
Q

role of NGOs

A

non governmental organisations are not run by, funded by, influenced by governments of any country

examples are: greenpeace, and the world wildlife fund (WWF)

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11
Q

NGO vs IGO

A
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12
Q

first time international community came together to consider the global enviornment + development needs

A

UN Conference on the Human Environment (Stockholm, 1972)
-> let to Stockholm Decleration

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13
Q

similarities between NGO and IGO

A
  • 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
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14
Q

recent international conventions on biodiversity

A

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

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15
Q

WCS

A

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

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16
Q

shape of protected areas

A

round is better than all other shapes because it reduces edge effect

17
Q

corridors (protected areas)

A

provide safe passage between protected areas

18
Q

size (protected areas)

A

larger space allows for larger populations and gene pools, and a wider variety of species

19
Q

edge effect (protected areas)

A

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

20
Q

proximity (protected areas)

A

if protected areas are close to another, they are more effective than isolated islands

21
Q

buffer zones

A

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

22
Q

in situ

A

the conservation of species in their natural habitat

23
Q

ex situ

A

the preservation of species outside their natural habitat i.e. zoos, botanical gardens

24
Q

evaluating the success of a protected area

A
  • 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
25
Q

best design for protected areas

A
  • 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)
26
Q

significant factor in the success of the conservatoin effort

A

location
- use of surrounding land
- distance from urban centres

27
Q

species based conservation, what is it?

A

focuses on vulnerable species and in raising their profile

28
Q

species based conservation involves:

A
  • keystone species
  • flagship species
  • CITES
  • captive breeding and reintroduction programmes
  • zoos
29
Q

keystone species

A

essential for the functioning of the ecosystem and in protecting the integrity of the food web

30
Q

example keystone species

A

figs in tropical rainforests

31
Q

flagship species

A

charismatic species

32
Q

example flagship species

A

bengal tiger

33
Q

CITES

A

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

34
Q

example of species CITES has helped to protect

A

elephants and rhinos by reducing trade in ivory and rhino horn

35
Q

CITES pro and cons

A
36
Q

Captive breeding and zoos pros and cons

A
37
Q

flagship/charismatic species pros and cons

A
38
Q

keystone species pros and cons

A
39
Q

a mixed approach to conservation

A

combining both in situ and ex situ methods