4.2.7 conservation 'in situ' Flashcards
conservation in situ
carrying out active management to maintain the biodiversity in natural environment
marine conservation zones
areas of sea set aside to conserve diversity of species & habitats
wildlife reserves
areas set aside for conservation of species/habitats
how can legislation support conservation
pass legislation to stop activities eg. hunting, logging & clearing land for development/agriculture
–> difficult if countries don’t feel it’s necessary/gov. isn’t in favour
aim of conservation (in situ/ex situ)
- active management to maintain habitats & species that live in them
- enable endangered species to survive/maintain biodiversity
3 principles for choosing a wildlife reserve as conservation in situ
- comprehensiveness = how many species are represented in area & what are prevailing environmental conditions
- adequacy = is area large enough to provide for long term survival of all the species, communities & populations represented
- representativeness = is there full range of diversity within each species & each set of environmental conditions
reasons why conflict may arise when local/indigenous people are not considered when setting up a wildlife reserve
- protected animals coming out of reserve to raid crops –> primates often raid farms for maize/mangoes/sugar cane
- people continuing to hunt protected animals for food (poaching)
- illegal harvesting of timber & other plant products
- tourists feeding protected animals/leaving litter
5 examples of wildlife reserves in the UK
- national parks
- national nature reserves (NNR)
- sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs)
- local nature reserves
- marine conservation zones
describe national parks
- 15 in UK
- cover many of beautiful/valued landscapes
- areas of protected countryside which everyone can visit
- people live, work & shape landscape
describe national nature reserves (NNR)
- 2014 = nearly 400 in UK
- covered nearly every type of vegetation in UK
- occupied 94000+ hectares of land
- set up to protect sensitive features in environment & enable research/education
describe sites of special interest (SSSIs)
- 6000+ in UK
- countries best wildlife & geological sites
- include some of most beautiful/spectacular habitats
- eg. winding chalk rivers, flower-rich meadows
describe local nature reserves
often run by country wildlife trusts
describe marine conservation zones
- 27 sites around UK coast in 2013
- important to conserve biodiversity of nationally rare, threatened & representative habitats/species in our seas
advantages of in situ conservation
- plants/animals conserved in natural environment
- permanently protects biodiversity & representative examples of ecosystems
- permanently protects significant elements of natural/cultural heritage
- allows management of areas to ensure ecological integrity maintained
- may provide opportunities for ecologically sustainable land use eg. traditional outdoor heritage activities & associated economic benefits
- facilitates scientific research
- may be possible to improve/restore ecological integrity in area
disadvantages of in situ conservation
- endangered habitats may be fragmented & each small area may not be large enough to ensure survival
- population may already lost much of genetic diversity
- conditions which caused habitat/species to become endangered may still be present
- area can act as ‘honeypot’ to poachers/ecotourists who cause disturbance
