Biodiversity 5 - Conservation of biodiversity

Question 1

Define conservation

Answer 1

The management and sustainable use of the natural environment and natural resources for ethical reasons and the benefit of humanity

Question 2

Explain conservation of biology in detail

Answer 2

Supports certain ethical principles:

1. Biodiversity is desirable for the biosphere
2. Extinctions due to human actions are undesirable
3. Ecosystem interactions supporting biodiversity are desirable
4. Biodiversity brought about by evolutionary change has value in and of itself

Question 3

Explain conservation of biology briefly

Answer 3

• 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

Question 4

Define diversity

Answer 4

Refers to the variety of species on Earth

Question 5

What is a biodiversity hotspot

Answer 5

Areas on Earth that have an unusually high diversity of species, and are also under threat

Question 6

What must hotspots have

Answer 6

• At least 1500 endemic species of vascular plants
• Lost at least 70% of their original vegetation

Question 7

Explain biodiversity hotspots briefly

Answer 7

• 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

Question 8

What are the levels of biodiversity

Answer 8

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 )

Question 9

What are the South African Hotspots

Answer 9

• Cape Floristic Region
• Succulent Karoo
• Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany

Question 10

Explain the Cape Floristic Region

Answer 10

• 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

Question 11

Explain the Succulent Karoo

Answer 11

• 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

Question 12

Explain Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany

Answer 12

• 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

Question 13

Why should biodiversity be conserved

Answer 13

1. Species simply have the right to exist (intrinsic value)
2. Species provide either direct or indirect benefits ( value, goods and services) to humans

Question 14

Explain direct and indirect value of biodiversity

Answer 14

1. Direct value:
   
   • Individuals/species perform beneficial services ( eating a fish )
2. Indirect value:
   
   • Ecosystems perform beneficial services and species are part of those ecosystems

Question 15

Explain direct value of biodiversity fully

Answer 15

MAC

1. Medicinal value
2. Agricultural value :
   
   • Crops
   • Domesticanimals
   • Biologicalpestcontrol
   • Pollinators
3. Consumptive use value :
   
   • Wood
   • Skins
   • Gamemeat/fish

Question 16

Explain medicinal value fully

Answer 16

• 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

Question 17

Explaing agricultural value fully

Answer 17

• Domesticated animals
• Crop plants – derived from wild varieties
• There are potentially new sources of foods that have yet to be domesticated

Question 18

Explain consumptive value fully

Answer 18

• 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

Question 19

Explain indirect value of biodiversity fully

Answer 19

• Biogeochemical cycles
• Waste disposal
• Provision of fresh water
• Prevention of soil erosion
• Regulation of climate
• Ecotourism

Question 20

Explain Biogeochemical Cycles

Answer 20

• 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

Question 21

Explain Waste Disposal

Answer 21

Decomposers break down wastes and pollutants that humans release into the environment

Question 22

Explain provision of fresh water

Answer 22

• 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

Question 23

Explain regulation of climate

Answer 23

• 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

Question 24

Explain ecotourism

Answer 24

• 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

Question 25

Explain biodiversity and ecosystems

Answer 25

Ecosystems with a greater diversity of species function better