Biodiversity 5 - Conservation of biodiversity Flashcards
Define conservation
The management and sustainable use of the natural environment and natural resources for ethical reasons and the benefit of humanity
Explain conservation of biology in detail
Supports certain ethical principles:
- Biodiversity is desirable for the biosphere
- Extinctions due to human actions are undesirable
- Ecosystem interactions supporting biodiversity are desirable
- Biodiversity brought about by evolutionary change has value in and of itself
Explain conservation of biology briefly
- Field of Conservation Biology has developed in response to a crisis
- Growing awareness that species are becoming extinct at an alarming rate, mostly due to human activities
Define diversity
Refers to the variety of species on Earth
What is a biodiversity hotspot
Areas on Earth that have an unusually high diversity of species, and are also under threat
What must hotspots have
- At least 1500 endemic species of vascular plants
- Lost at least 70% of their original vegetation
Explain biodiversity hotspots briefly
- Worldwide, 34 areas have been identified as hotspots
- Over 50% of the world’s plant species and 42% of terrestrial vertebrate species are endemic to these hotspots
- Represent about 2.3% of Earth’s land surface
What are the levels of biodiversity
GEO
- Genetic diversity ( diversity in terms of DNA / genetics )
- Ecological diversity ( diversity between different ecosystems )
- Organismal diversity ( is it more important to conserve a certain species or order )
What are the South African Hotspots
- Cape Floristic Region
- Succulent Karoo
- Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany
Explain the Cape Floristic Region
- Shrubland ( Fynbos )
- One of the richest areas for plants when compared to any similar sized area in the world
- The outstanding diversity, density and endemism of the flora are among the highest worldwide
Explain the Succulent Karoo
- Dominated by leaf succulents
- The most biodiverse arid area in the world and contains the most important and significant natural habitat for the in-situ conservation of biological diversity
Explain Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany
- Second richest floristic region in Africa after the Cape Floristic Region
- Vegetation types of the area encompass subtropical thicket, which is an endemic vegetation type to the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany hotspot, forest and grassland
Why should biodiversity be conserved
- Species simply have the right to exist (intrinsic value)
- Species provide either direct or indirect benefits ( value, goods and services) to humans
Explain direct and indirect value of biodiversity
- Direct value:
- Individuals/species perform beneficial services ( eating a fish )
- Indirect value:
- Ecosystems perform beneficial services and species are part of those ecosystems
Explain direct value of biodiversity fully
MAC
- Medicinal value
- Agricultural value :
- Crops
- Domesticanimals
- Biologicalpestcontrol
- Pollinators
- Consumptive use value :
- Wood
- Skins
- Gamemeat/fish
Explain medicinal value fully
- Certain species play a role in medical research or contain compounds used in medicines
- 25% of medicines are derived from plants
- Many more plants may have medicinal properties that remain to be investigated
- Fungi and bacteria are also sources of medicines, e.g. penicillin (fungus)
E.g. Rosy periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) has anti- cancer properties
Explaing agricultural value fully
- Domesticated animals
- Crop plants – derived from wild varieties
- There are potentially new sources of foods that have yet to be domesticated
Explain consumptive value fully
- Refers to wild plants and animals that are harvested for food or other purposes (i.e. they are consumed)
- Most of the fish and seafood we eat is taken from wild populations
- Trees are felled from natural populations for wood, or harvested for rubber or fruit
- Wild animals are hunted for their meat and skins
Explain indirect value of biodiversity fully
- Biogeochemical cycles
- Waste disposal
- Provision of fresh water
- Prevention of soil erosion
- Regulation of climate
- Ecotourism
Explain Biogeochemical Cycles
- Humans depend on biogeochemical cycles for the continued cycling of chemicals (e.g. CO2, nitrogen, phosphate)
- Cycles cannot be created artificially
- An ecosystem with its full complement of species functions well and contributes to the workings of these cycles
Explain Waste Disposal
Decomposers break down wastes and pollutants that humans release into the environment
Explain provision of fresh water
- Humans depend on a steady supply of fresh water for drinking and irrigation
- This water is provided by the water cycle, which depends on functioning ecosystems
Explain regulation of climate
- Plants take up carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, for photosynthesis; they also give off oxygen
- Trees provide shade during summer, reducing the need for air conditioners
Explain ecotourism
- The natural beauty of an ecosystem is in itself an asset
- Humans derive pleasure from nature activities, including wildlife observation
- This generates income for many countries
Explain biodiversity and ecosystems
Ecosystems with a greater diversity of species function better
