Biodiversity

Question 1

What is in-situ and ex-situ conservation?

Answer 1

In-situ conservation is the conservation of organisms in their natural habitat
Ex-situ conservation is the conservation of organisms outside of their natural habitats e.g. in a zoo of a seed bank

Question 2

What are the advantages of in-situ conservation?

Answer 2

-Conserves species without removing them from their habitat
-Ecosystem integrity is maintained as the species are still able to play their role in the function of the ecosystem
-Cheaper than ex situ conservation
-Protects the biodiversity and the ecosystem

Question 3

What are the disadvantages of in-situ conservation?

Answer 3

-The habitat may be too fragmented to ensure a sustainable population
-Too much genetic diversity may have already been lost to allow the species to adapt to change in their natural environment
-Wildlife reserves may be damaged by eco tourism
-The conditions that caused the area to have a loss of species may still be present

Question 4

What are the advantages of ex-situ conservation?

Answer 4

-Protects organisms from predation and poaching
-Helps attract funding and awareness
-Techniques such as artificial insemination are used to maximise reproductive success and genetic diversity

Question 5

What are the disadvantages of ex-situ conservation?

Answer 5

-Limited genetic diversity
-It may be difficult to provide a suitable environment
-Many animals may be unable to be re introduced into the wild as they will not have learnt the necessary behaviour

Question 6

What are the 4 categories that ecosystem services (economic reasons) can be classified into?

Answer 6

1. Provisioning services
2. Regulating services
3. Supporting services
4. Cultural services

Question 7

What are provisioning services?

Answer 7

Any type of benefit to people that can be extracted from nature e.g. food, medicines, fuel, fibres for clothing

Question 8

What are regulating services?

Answer 8

Benefits obtained through moderation or control of ecosystem processes e.g. pollination, pest control, prevention of soil erosion, sewage treatment, climate regulation

Question 9

What are supporting services?

Answer 9

Ecosystem services that are necessary for other ecosystem services e.g. cycling of carbon, cycling of nitrogen, soil formation

Question 10

What are cultural services?

Answer 10

Benefits people gain from their interaction with environmental spaces e.g. tourism, education, research, recreation, wellbeing