CH11 methods of maintaining biodiveristy

Question 1

What is conservation

Answer 1

• name given to the preservation and careful management of the environment and of natural resources

Question 2

In situ conservation

Answer 2

• within the natural habitat

Question 3

Ex situ conservation

Answer 3

• out of the natural habitat

Question 4

Benefits of in situ

Answer 4

• maintains genetic diversity of species
• evolutionary adaptations can still occur
• preserves interdependent relationships in a habitat

Question 6

Wildlife reserves

Answer 6

• in situ
• controlled grazing, restricts human access, controls poaching, feeding animals, reintroducing species

Question 7

Marine conservation zones

Answer 7

• in situ
• preserve species-rich areas such as coral reefs
• creates areas of refuge so populations can build up and repopulate adjacent areas

Question 8

Botanic gardens

Answer 8

• ex situ
• plant species can be grown successfully
• species are actively managed to provide them with best resources to grow, such as provision of soil nutrients

Question 9

Seed banks

Answer 9

• ex situ
• seeds stored so new plants may be grown in future
• aims to provide a back-up against the extinction of plants in the wild

Question 10

Captive breeding programmes

Answer 10

• ex situ
• produce offspring of species in a human-controlled environment
• aims to create a stable, healthy population of species which are then gradually reintroduced into the wild
• provide animals with shelter, absence of predators, nutritious food etc

Question 11

How is inbreeding prevented in captive breeding programmes

Answer 11

• international catalogue is maintained
• details genealogical data on individuals
• mating can be arranged to ensure genetic diversity is maximised

Question 12

Why may some organisms born in captivity not be suitable for release into the wild

Answer 12

• diseases, may be loss of resistance to local diseases in captive-bred populations
• behaviour, some behaviour is innate but much has to be learnt through copying or experience
• genetic races
• habitat, may have to be restored

Question 13

Conservation agreements

Answer 13

• to ensure biodiversity is successfully conserved, local and international cooperation is required

Question 14

International union for the conservation of nature

Answer 14

• publishes red list once a year, detailing current conservation status of threatened animals
• involved in establishment of convention on international trade in endangered species
• treaty regulates international trade of wild plant and animal specimens and their products

Question 15

Rio convention 1992

Answer 15

• resulted in new agreements between nations
• convention on biological diversity requires countries to develop national strategies for sustainable development
• united nations framework convention on climate change is an agreement between nations to take steps to stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations within atmosphere
• united nations convention to combat desertification aims to prevent transformation of fertile land into desert and reduce effects of drought through programmes of international cooperation

Question 16

Countryside stewardship scheme

Answer 16

• offered governmental payments to farmers and other land managers to enhance and conserve the english landscape
• aims included, sustaining beauty of landscape and improving wildlife habitats