case studies conservation Flashcards
Human activities in the Galapagos Islands?
-whaling trade
-chopping forests for fires to render down whale fat
-removing live giant tortoises
-shark fin market
-intro of non-native plants/animals by tourists (e.g. goats)
Effect on plant populations in Galapgos Islands?
-25% plant species endangered
-building/agriculture has caused habitat fragmentation
-Scalesia trees and shrubs almost eradicated
-depletion of sea cucumber impacts underwater ecology
Control measures in Galapagos Islands?
-park rangers
-limiting human access to specific islands
-controlling migration
-strict controls over movement of introduced animals
-captive breeding programmes to supplement tortoise numbers
Effect on animal populations in Snowdonia?
-rhododendron leaves poisonous to most mammals/invertebrates
-deforestation reduces food sources/habitats
-rhododendron infestation makes suitable habitats unsuitable for grazing animals
Effect on animal populations in Galapagos Islands?
-whaling trade reduces whale population
-giant tortoise population outcompeted by goats
-50% of vertebrate species endangered
-introduced non-native species eat native species
Human activies in Snowdonia?
-attracts millions of visitors each year - walk along same footpaths
-rhododendrons introduced as horticultural plant but spread to become invasive
-conifers planted as cash crops
Plant pathogen hosted by rhododendron?
P. ramorum
-causes disease with withered shoot tips/black leaves
Control measures in Snowdonia?
-drains dug by paths to prevent flooding
-fell infected trees before they become sources of spores
-cutting down/burning rhododendron
-stem herbicide injection to control scattered bushes
Power station in Snowdonia?
Pumped-storage hydroelectric power station hidden deep inside mountain
Where does captive breeding occur on Galapagos Islands?
Charles Darwin Research Station
When was the Galapagos National Park estbalished?
1959
How much of the Galapagos Islands have been designated ‘No-Take’ zones?
36%
Effect on plant populations in Snowdonia?
-as paths become harder to walk on, people trample sensitive vegetation to avoid floods on paths
-rhododendrons grow to 3m and have dense leaves - dark ground so few plants survive
-rhododendron leaves decompose and host a plant pathogen causing a disease
Human activities in Antarctica?
-attracts many visitors
-dumping sewage in sea
-leaving rubbish
-shipping accidents/oil spills
-fishing boats gather where there’s lots of krill
-whale/seal hunting
What is krill used for?
Making nutrional supplements/animal feed
Effect on animal populations in Antarctica?
-hunting/whaling/fishing reduces wildlife populations
-oil spills effect wildlife
-predators of krill can’t adapt to find krill elsewhere = less food sources
-birds swallow long-line fishing hooks
How has global warming impacted Antarctica?
Loss of sea ice affected breeding of Adelie penguins
How do oil spills affect wildlife?
-toxic effects of inhaling vapours can be fatal
-coat fur/feathers = hypothermia and loss of buoyancy
Effect of plant populations in Antarctica?
-oil spills drain O2 from sea and kills plants
-soi contamination around research stations kills wildlife
-visitors are sources of alien plant species, warming islands
-certain lichens and mosses expanded into parts previously too cold
Control measures in Antarctica?
-all waste taken away by ship for disposal in other countries
-ships with thick oil fuel banned from Antarctic waters (prevents oil spills)
-tourists only allowed on certain land at certain times
-whaling/hunting banned
-trigger level cath size for Krill
Antarctic Treaty?
1961
-protects unique nature of Antarctica
Human activities in Lake District?
-attracts 16 million visitors per year
-footpath erosion due to continuous walking
-walking, climbing, cycling
Effect on animal populations in Lake District?
-debris from eroded paths enters watercourses - death of fish/invertebrates
-trout and salmon threatened by pollution of spawning grounds
Effect on plant populations in Lake District?
-erosion of footpaths/loss of soil can disturb pH in lakes
-pressure of trampling compacts soil so water doesn’t infiltrate - water runs off surface removing soil which kills plants
-rhododendrons and laurel (invasive) reduce light reaching floor and their roots produce toxic chemicals
Control measures in Lake District?
-Lake District National Park Authority conerves region
-replanting native tree species
-repairing footpaths
-invasive species removed by conservation workers
-educate wakers about sticking to paths
Where is the Terai region?
-southern Nepal
-northern India
Large mammal species in Terai region?
-bengal tiger
-greater one horned rhino
-asian elephant
Bengal tiger?
Panthera tigris
-endangered subspecies
Greater one horned rhino?
Rhinoceros unicornis
-vulnerable
Asian elephant?
Elephas maximus
-endangered
Why has there been a dramatic rise in population since the 1950s?
-launch of malaria eradication and land resettlement projects in mid 1950s
-increase in Hill migrants
How does human-wildlife conflict effect people in Terai?
-crop raiding at night by wild animals destroys crops
-humans attacked by tigers/leopards
How does human-wildlife conflict effect animals in Terai?
-habitation in corridors (vehicular traffic) alters ability of elephants to cross
-poisoning/poaching of animals (tigers and elephants)
Issues conserving tigers?
-tigers need large territories
-poaching is largest immediate threat
-habitat degradation/dwindling prey major threats to tigers
WWF Terai Arc landscape?
-area within Terai in Nepal composed of 14 Indian and Nepalese protected ecosystems
-highest densities of Bengal tigers in world
How much land do majority of households own in WWF Terai Arc landscape?
60% of households own less than 1 hectare
Parties involved in Terai Arc Landscape scheme?
-WWF Nepal Program
-Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation
-local volunteers
How has WWF Terai Arc Landscape scheme reduced exploitation of forest?
-helped local communities reduced impact of forest dependence
-provides alternative energy soures (solar cookers, fuel efficient stoves)
Where is the Maasai Mara?
-southern Kenya
-covers 373,000 acres
MMNR?
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Ecology of MMNR?
-home to 25% Kenya’s wildlife
-95 mammal species
-Important Bird Area (550 species)
Who manages MMNR?
-Narok County Council
-Transmara County Council
What is MMNR land used for?
-grazing - area for livestock
-cultivation
-tourism
Tourism in MMNR?
-provided livelihoods for people living in area
-tourist industry centres around wildlife viewing
Human-elephant conflict in MMNR?
-poachers hunt African elephant tusks
-elephants take maize from local’s farms and locals will shoot arrows at them
Solutions to human-elephant conflict in MMNR?
-mix of chili powder and firecracker to throw at elephants
-rangers guard elephants and check on them
Human-lion conflict in MMNR?
-lions frequently in contact with livestock of locals
-LRF supported Kenya Wildlife Trust tackles conflict through development of community ambassadors
What do community ambassadors do for human-lion conflict in MMNR?
-respond to conflict incidences
-warn communities of approaching lions
-raise awareness
