Biodiversity Case Studies

Question 1

Fynbos

Answer 1

Highest known concentration of species in the world, 70% of its 7,700 plant species are endemic.

Question 2

Value of coral reefs

Answer 2

Biodiversity, home of 25% of marine fish
Shoreline protection
Food

Question 3

Impacts of global warming on BD in Arctic

Answer 3

ecosystems moving pole ward, loss of tundra, fragile food webs damaged

Question 4

Invasive species in Galapogos

Answer 4

60% of endemic plants threatened, need to eradicate rodents and removing the alien Quinine tree

Question 5

Udzungwa mountains national park

Answer 5

Locals involved in sustainable management strategies such as tree nurseries.

Question 6

Sustainable yield management in southern ocean fisheries

Answer 6

Accounts for 10% of worlds oceans. Limits for catch of individual species

Question 7

Soufriere marine management area (SMMA)

Answer 7

Problems of water quality, depletion of fish stocks and degradation of beach landscapes. Now divided into zones each for different use. Led to a reduction in user conflicts

Question 8

Masai Mara game reserve

Answer 8

experienced a breakdown in management where little of the money went to protection of reserve but taken over by “Mara conservation” and new equipment was provided and money for locals

Question 9

CAMPFIRE, Zimbabwe

Answer 9

Project set up to develop and mange the sustainable use of natural resources in each communal area. Locals given responsibility.

Question 10

St Lucia

Answer 10

has to conserve biodiversity as much of economy is tourism based

Question 11

Brazil

Answer 11

rainforest reduced by 40% by 2030 for logging

Question 12

Rhodedendron in Snowdonia

Answer 12

Brought to British garden but became invasive. Creates canopy which blocks light for other plants. Cost £10 million to remove with herbicide. 5,000 acres of Snowdonia covered

Question 13

Lough Erne

Answer 13

Zebra mussels threatening ecosystems, eat algae which filters water. So native mussels dying out. No natural predators to keep them in check. Affecting fishing

Question 14

BD in Oceans

Answer 14

Fish endangered due to unsustainable fishing practices like dynamite, pollution, global warming and fish trapped in nets

Now there’s fishing practices, fish farming and no take zones

Question 15

Pandas in China

Answer 15

Ex-Situ, plan to create more in captivity then set free, 136 bred in Chengdu park. Half of their habitat has been destroyed in last 2 decades.

Question 16

Sundalands

Answer 16

60% of plants endemic, many endemic mammals, reptiles and fish. Threatened by illegal logging, fire and wildlife trade. About 12% is protected, looking to develop eco-tourism

Question 17

Daintree

Answer 17

NE coast of Australia, oldest rainforest in world. Greatest number of rare or threatened species in the world. Threat of development spreading into the Daintree. Attempt to reduce population and balance economic growth and biodiversity