Biodiversity Flashcards
Endangered species
Their numbers are so low they can not be maintained by normal rates of reproduction and they are at a danger of becoming extinct.
Critically endangered
Their numbers fall below 10% of the original population
Extinct Species
No organisms in the natural or artificial habitat
Reasons for endangerment of species (7points)
⚫️Habitat loss ⚫️Climatic changes ⚫️Pollution ⚫️Overexploitation and unsustainable use of resources ⚫️Food Shortages ⚫️Disease ⚫️Invasion by alien species
How does HABITAT LOSS cause endangerment of species
✔️Deforestation
✔️Reclamation of land
How do CLIMATIC CHANGES cause endangerment of species
✔️Global warming
✔️Natural disasters
How does POLLUTION cause endangerment of species
1️⃣Air pollution:
✔️emission of oxides of nitrogen, oxides of sulfur, CO2 which contribute to Acid Rain and Global warming
2️⃣Industrial and Domestic pollution:
✔️release of harmful chemicals into the atmosphere
3️⃣Marine pollution
✔️disposal of non-biodegradable plastic
How does OVEREXPLOITATION AND USUSTAINABLE USE OF RESOURCES cause endangerment of species
✔️Overfishing
✔️Cutting of valuable trees
How does FOOD SHORTAGES cause endangerment of species
✔️Disruption of food chain and food web
How does DISEASES cause endangerment of species
✔️Viral infections
How do INVASION OF ALIEN SPECIES cause endangerment of species
✔️Push the native organisms to endangerment or extinction
Why do we need to maintain biodiversity
⚫️Ecological Reasons ⚫️Human Reasons ⚫️Ethical Reasons ⚫️Commercial Reasons ⚫️Aesthetic/Socioeconomic reasons
What are ECOLOGICAL REASONS for maintaing biodiversity
✔️ensures stability of the ecosystem
✔️organisms interact with eachother so the disappearance of one affects the whole community
✔️gene pool of various species is conserved
What are HUMAN REASONS for maintaing biodiversity
✔️Medicine
✔️Agriculture
✔️Tourism
What are ETHICAL REASONS for maintaing biodiversity
✔️Humans are the reason for the decline of many species
✔️Maintain levels of biodiversity for future generations
What are COMMERCIAL REASONS for maintaining biodiversity
Hybrids:
Resistant to disease
Resistant to climatic changes
Better yield
What are AESTHETIC/SOCIOECONOMIC REASONS for maintaing biodiversity
Artists/ Photographers (Creative people)
Ecotourism is a source of income and employment
What is captive breeding
Endangered species are captured and bred to increase their numbers
Advantages of captive breeding
✔️monitor the health of the mother and fetus during pregnancy
✔️sperm bank
✔️assisted reproduction techniques
✔️keeping of breeding records
✔️Animals can be transferred to other countries where environmental conditions are more conducive for breeding
Disadvantages/Challenges of captive breeding
✔️Animals are no longer in their natural habitats
✔️They may have STRESS or BEHAVIOURAL CHANGES due to the change in environment
✔️Female organisms may have a DISRUPTION in their MENSTRUAL CYCLE due to the stress in captivity
✔️Organisms may not prefer the chosen mate for breeding
Problems associated with releasing captive bred animals in the wild
✔️Less availability of food
✔️Increased susceptibility to diseases
✔️Risk of predators
How do national parks work
✔️Patroling of parks by rangers,wardens and voluteers
✔️Restricted human access
✔️Apart from the conventional farming agricultural activities are controlled
✔️Mining and industrial activities are limited and controlled
✔️Visitor centres can be established to educate the general public
✔️24 hour surveillance of nests and breeding sites
What are botanic gardens?
The conservation of plant species by growing them from seeds,cuttings, tissue cultures and cloning
What is the role of botanic gardens
✔️Protection of endangered plant species which are threatened by climatic changes and human activities
✔️Research methods of reproduction and growth
✔️Research conservation methods so plants can be introduced to new habitats if their original habitat has been destroyed
✔️Reintroducing plants to the environments where they have become extinct
✔️Educating the general public
What is a seed bank
A collection of seeds of plants that are endangered or extinct in conditions (i.e an atmosphere low in mosture ,oxygen and low on temperature) that are not suitable for germination