6.3.2 Preservation, Conservation and Sustainable Management COMPLETE Flashcards
Reasons that species are at risk of extinction
- Deforestation
- Agriculture
- Pollution
- Climate Change
Economic reasons to conserve
- Tourism
- Drug production
- Sustainable use of resources
Social reasons to conserve
- Enjoyment of the countryside
- Jobs/ Eco tourism
Ethical reasons to conserve
- Prevent species extinction
- Moral Responsibility for future generations
In Situ Conservation
Protect habitats, species
i.e. remove alien species, burning, grazing
Ex Situ Conservation
Seed banks, animal breeding programs and storing of genetic material
DEFINITION- Conservation
The maintenance of biodiversity through human action of management.
i.e. sustainable development, reclamation/ restoration of damaged ecosystems
DEFINITION- Preservation
Protection of an area by restricting or banning human interference, so the ecosystem is kept in its original state.
i.e. nature reserves, no take fishing zones and virgin cave systems
Sustainability
Aims to keep biological systems diverse and productive indefinitely. Works by preserving the environment, ensuring resources are available for the future. Tries to create balance between LEDCs and MEDCs
Sustainable Timber Management
- ROTATIONAL COPPICING, trunks cut down to ground, allows newly formed trees to grow and maintains diversity.
- POLLARDING, Stops new tree shoots being eaten by animals
Clear Felling
Is bad as causes large scale habitat destruction, trees do not regrow, bare soil will erode
Overfishing
To cope with high demand, large quantities of fish are taken, this is leading to decreased populations of species that are unable to regenerate.
International Agreements for Sustainable fishing
ADVANTAGES- Provides limits to the numbers of fish allowed to be caught in particular areas.
-Protects the breeding of fish, i.e. special nets
DISADVANTAGES- Wasted fish as they are dumped back into the sea
Methods to improve fishing sustainability
- Nets with specifically sized holes to allow immature fish to escape and breed
- Only allow fishing certain parts of the year
- Introduction of fish farming
Management Techniques
- Limiting areas tourists can visit
- Controlling movement of livestock
- Introduce anti pouching methods
- Replanting forests and native plants
- Limiting hunting through quotas
CASE STUDY 1: The Galapagos Islands
Environmentally sensitive ecosystems
HABITAT- Subtropical forest, volcanic plains, coastal waters
SPECIES- Galapagos Tortoise, Blue Footed Booby, Galapagos Sea cucumber, Galapagos Hawk
Endemic Species
Species found nowhere else in the world
Threats to the Galapagos Species
Population Growth Overfishing Tourism Previous Exploitation of species Introduced Species
Conservation in the Galapagos
Captive Breeding- breeding small numbers and rearing them to be strong enough to survive on their own
Removal of Alien Species- Mass culling i.e. goats
Sustainable Development-Island split into zones with varying protection, tourism controlled
CASE STUDY 2: Antarctica
Environmentally sensitive ecosystems
HABITAT- Ice sheets
SPECIES- All endothermic, ie emperor penguin, Antarctic fur seal, some lichens
Threats to Antartica
- Historically, Whaling and seal hunting took place leading to depleting numbers
- Overfishing
- Some tourism
- Global Warming
- Human sewage
Conservation in Antartica
- ‘Trigger level’ catch size for krill fishing
- Scientific cooperation between nations
- Tourism management
- Protection of plants and animals
CASE STUDY 3: Snowdonia National Park
Environmentally sensitive ecosystems
HABITAT- High mountain range with lakes, flowing rivers, woodland and heath
SPECIES- Oak trees, arctic alpine plants, Kestrels
Threats to Snowdonia
- Planting conifers that dry out moorland
- Grazing sheep
- Walkers dropping rubbish
Conservation of Snowdonia
- Building footpaths
- Remove invasive plants
CASE STUDY 1: The Masai Mara
Ecosystem Management
OVERVIEW- Savanna divided by the Mara river, fertile grassland, contains the big 5, migrating herds
HUMAN USES- Livestock, crops, development of infrastructure
Masai Mara Conflicts
WHERE FROM- Conserving animals causes issues as predators take cattle, elephants hurt people and trample crops
RESOLVED- Darwin initiative, for survival of species research and training is needed
CASE STUDY 2: The Terai Region of Nepal
Ecosystem Management
OVERVIEW- Extremely fertile well watered land, tropical plants, Bengal tigers, sloth bears, Indian rhino
HUMAN USES- Main agricultural region, used for timber trade, lots of clear felling
Terai Region Conflicts
WHERE FROM- Highly populated and prone to natural disaster, rely on the forests for tourism but also fire wood.
RESOLVED- Supportive National Legislation, development of local community forest groups who set harvesting rules
CASE STUDY 3: Peat Bogs
Ecosystem Management
OVERVIEW- Supports significant area of vegetation, dominated by a few groups of plants (mosses)
HUMAN USES- Burnt for fuel, drained for agriculture use
Peat Bog Conflict
WHERE FROM- 90% loss due to industrialisation, leads to global warming as releases CO2 when burned, flooding and erosion also occur after drainage increasing habitat loss.
RESOLUTION- Schemes such as not using peat compost, identifying suitable peat bogs for restoration.
