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conservation Flashcards

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Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

name 7 reasons why conservation is important

A
  • medicines
  • future supply of resources
  • physiological research
  • genetic resources
  • ecosystem services
  • biological control
  • biomimetics
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2
Q

why are medicines a reason why conservation is important

A

plants have valuable medicinal properties and can be used to make drugs to treat diseases and cancers

eg. tropical marine sponges can treat HIV and AIDS
-poppies - for codeine, morphine, painkillers
- yew tree - taxine

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3
Q

why are future supply of resources a reason why conservation is important

A

-plants that are known to be edible but yet still cultivated - potential food source
- animal species currently being hunted
- nature provides fibres, oils, timbers

eg. fibres like cotton, silk, paper
-biofuels - algae, corn, sugar

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4
Q

why is physiological research a reason why conservation is important

A

organisms being research and monitored can help aid the understanding of behaviour and properties of humans

eg. squid’s nerves are similar to ours but wider making them easier to study
- kangaroos give birth at the very early stage of development - helps to understand embryos and unborn babies

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5
Q

why is genetic resources a reason why conservation is important

A

use genetics from plants and animals to breed with other plants and animals for desirable characteristics

eg. sugar cane - sugarcane mosaic protected from wild sugarcane in Indonesia

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6
Q

what is ecosystem services

A

things that nature does that makes conditions more habitable

eg:
- soil maintenance
- seed dispersal
- interspecies relationships (remove 1 = impact all)
- habitat provision eg. coral
- atmospheric conditions eg. transpiration
- biogeochemical cycles (detritivores + decomposers)
- water cycles
- nutrient Cycles

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7
Q

why is biological control a reason why conservation is important

A

living organisms can control the number of pests eg. predators, herbivores, pathogens, parasites etc..

eg. ladybirds used to control of aphids on crops

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8
Q

why is biomimetics a reason for conservation

A

improved man-made systems that mimic biologically produced substances/ mechanisms

eg. the Gherkin building is based off the exoskeleton of a marine sponge

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9
Q

what does EDGE stand for

A

evolutionary distinct and globally endangered species

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10
Q

what does an edge species mean

A

they are a species that have few or no close relatives in the tree of Life, genetically unique

eg. elephants, pandas

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11
Q

what is a flagship species

A

a species that acts as an icon for a specific habitat, a famous well-known species that encourages funding and interest for ecosystem

eg. tigers, elephants, pandas

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12
Q

what is a keystone species

A

an organism that holds an ecosystem together - has a large impact on the ecosystem even in small numbers

eg. wolves, sea otters (+most top predators)

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13
Q

what is an endemic species

A

species only found in one geographical location

eg. koalas, kiwis

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14
Q

what is the IUCN

A

global database of threatened species

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15
Q

what does the IUCN do?

A

-coordinates global data on biodiversity
-increases the understanding of the importance of biodiversity
-deploys nature-based solutions to global challenges in climate, food, and sustainable developments

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16
Q

what are the categories for the IUCN list?

A

least concern, near threatened, vulnerable, endangered, critically endangered, extinct in wild
extinct

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17
Q

why would a species change its IUCN category

A
  • mistake in initial categorizing
  • the main threat is no longer present
  • main threat increases or new threat develops
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18
Q

give an example of a species which changed its IUCN category

A

the white headed vulture - was vulnerable but now is critically endangered as population declined due to poisoning and persecution

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19
Q

name 6 Ways humans influence biodiversity

A
  • Direct exploitation
  • deliberate eradication
  • introduced species
  • habitat destruction
  • change in biotic factors
  • change in abiotic factors
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20
Q

what is direct exploitation and how does it influence biodiversity

A

directly taking +/ exploiting species for specific products:

eg.
- over exploiting food eg. cod, tuna, sharks etc..
- for fashion eg.
fur coats - leopards, tigers, fur seals etc..
leather bags and shoes - crocodiles + alligators
feathers - kingfishers, parrots
- for pets eg. parrots, lizards, snakes, tortoises, tropical fish etc..
- entertainment eg. zoos - marine life eg. orcas, dolphins
- for furniture or ornaments eg.
jewellery from shark teeth
tropical wood eg. mahogany
coral + seashells sold to tourists
- for traditional medicines eg. seahorses believed to treat infidelity, baldness etc..

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21
Q

what is deliberate eradication and how does it influence biodiversity

A

species are killed because they threaten the humans or interfere with human activity:

  • animals that propose threats eg.
    sharks, poisonous snakes etc..
  • pathogens eg. malaria and mosquitoes
  • predators of livestock eg. wolves, Puma, Lions etc.
  • animals that eat crops eg. deer, rabbits
  • agricultural pests eg. insects, fungi, birds
  • forestry pests eg. deer, squirrels, beavers
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22
Q

what are introduced species and how does it influence biodiversity

A

introduced may cause indigenous species to die out:
eg.
- introduced competitors eg. the red and grey squirrel in the UK
- introduced predators eg. ground nesting birds on Oceanic Islands (eg. new zealand) threatened by cats, dogs, rats, pigs etc..
-introduced pathogens eg. tree pathogens brought to the UK eg. Dutch elm disease
- species that hybridize ( a species that is closely related to indigenous species can cross-breed producing fertile hybrids) - natural gene pool changed to unnatural, new added genes eg. red deer threatened by hybridization with sika deer

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23
Q

what is habitat destruction and how does it influence biodiversity

A

human activities that cause complete habitat destruction ( usually due to land use change)

eg. deforestation eg. st helena redwood=extinct
- ploughing of grassland
- Reservoir creation
- mineral extraction
- urban expansion

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24
Q

what is change in biotic factors and how does it influence biodiversity

A

the survival of species is affected by the change in presence or abundance of another species in the habitat

eg.
- pollinators - many species rely on pollination, without them they cannot reproduce eg. bees
- seed dispersal species - animals that disperse seeds (on which plants rely on) are vital and are going endangered eg. elephants, rhinos, hippos etc
- food chain impacts - foods by humans eg. overexploitation of turtle eggs = decline in Turtles - this increases their food species (prey) eg. jellyfish

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25
Q

what is change in abiotic factors and how does it influence biodiversity

A

human activities alter a habitat - not destroyed but altered/ changed to a point that is outside a species tolerance level
( most likely affects species with specialised habitat requirements eg. coral)

eg.
- water availability eg. draining areas of Wetlands effects nesting sites for water Birds, Turtles, lizards etc..
-oxygen levels - drops in levels = reduced survival of aerobic organisms ( could be reduced by discharge ing organic wastes (sewage))
- temperature
- pH (eg. pollutant gases) - denatures enzymes + harms tissue vulnerable to acid eg. fish eggs, gills ..
- water turbidity
- physical damage

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26
Q

how do CITES do conserve biodiversity

A

regulate the international trade of endangered species (+ their products)
^^ - doesn’t stop hunting but trade, makes hunting less appealing

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27
Q

what are the three appendixes of CITES

A

appendix 1 - list of most endangered species, species currently threatened with extinction,
trade only allowed with permit, some exceptions but mostly complete ban on trading

appendix 2 - list of species not currently threatened by Extinction but could be if trade is not controlled
not complete ban but constrictions eg. only trading certain types, sizes, amounts etc..
still need permit

appendix 3 - species not at risk of extinction but trade is unavailable in certain countries
eg. if species population in specific country is very small
special circumstances

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28
Q

what are some examples of species or products protected by CITES

A

group of mammals protected = primates + Whales + dolphins

products of elephants protected = tusks - ivory

group of invertebrates protected = coral

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29
Q

name a UK law protecting wildlife

A

wildlife and countryside act

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30
Q

what does the wildlife and countryside act include

A

legal protection: banning damaging activities eg.

  • bans certain methods of killing or taking wild animals
  • restrict introduction of certain animals and plants
  • designation of protected areas eg. SSSIs, NNRs ..
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31
Q

name some examples of species protected by the wildlife and countryside act

A

badgers, native UK birds, birds of prey, bats etc..

32
Q

name 3 types of protected areas in the UK

A

SSSIs
SPAs
SACs
NNRs
MNRs etc..

33
Q

what do some management activities within a protected area in the UK include

A

-maintaining a plagioclimax eg. controlled burning, grazing, coppicing etc..
- removal of introduced species
- fencing off visitors
- restricting building development
- provision of food sources or nesting sites eg. planting trees
- activity restrictions eg. fishing, use of pesticides etc..
- activities in encouraged eg. planting vegetation, coppicing, providing food etc..

34
Q

name some examples of wildlife benefiting from protected areas in the UK

A
  • red squirrel
  • great crested newt
  • sand lizard
35
Q

name a type of habitat benefiting from protected areas in the UK

A

wetlands

36
Q

name an example of a protected area

A

lundy island (MNR, MPA)

37
Q

what does IWC stand for

A

international whaling commission

38
Q

what does the IWC aim for

A

aims to control (not ban) wailing to ensure sustainable exploitation

39
Q

what is involved in the IWC

A
  • total protection of some species
  • setting limits on numbers allowed to be taken
  • designated sanctuaries where no wailing can take place
  • protection for mothers and calves
  • carrying out research
40
Q

what does CFP stand for

A

(EU) common Fisheries policy

41
Q

what is the aim of CFP

A

to ensure sustainable harvesting of fish

42
Q

what are some problems involved with CFP

A
  • quotas set were inappropriate and it failed to prevent the killing of undesired fish
  • if fish were undersized or the limit of number of fish allowed is crossed, fish would be discarded/ wasted
43
Q

what does ITTO stand for

A

international tropical timber organisation

44
Q

what is the aim of ITTO

A

for sustainable logging - tropical timber is sustainably sourced, controlled!

45
Q

why is the legal protection of species somtimes limited

A
  • financial cost
  • can be hard to enforce ( especially in more remote areas)
  • not in every country
46
Q

what is ex situ conservation

A

conserving wildlife outside of their natural habitat
( captive breeding)

47
Q

why are some species better in captive breeding than others

A
  • species with a higher captive population are better - higher genetic diversity, larger gene pool allows for less inbreeding
  • higher frequency of births - the population can be replaced quicker
  • lighter/smaller species - require less resources eg. food, so are less expensive
  • endangered species - in much more need for captive breeding 40
  • reproduce rapidly - short pregnancies
  • young maturity age
48
Q

what are some problems with captive breeding

A
  • inbreeding if captive population is too small eg. condors
  • species may be too big or mobile to keep effectively in captivity eg. great white sharks, blue whales etc..
  • diet may be difficult to provide eg. pandas, koalas
  • maybe unable to recreate suitable abiotic conditions eg. giant squid, polar bears, tropical coral ( species in extreme environments)
  • unable to house large groups that would have been in the wild eg. flamingos
    -low breeding success rate eg. giant panda
49
Q

name four ways to increase breeding success in ex situ conservation

A
  • artificial insemination
  • embryo transfer
  • provision of suitable abiotic factors
  • recreating population Dynamics and conditions for breeding
50
Q

what is artificial insemination

A

sperm from male is taken and injected into female
- increases success rate + allows pregnancy with no contact from a male

51
Q

what is embryo transfer

A

female is given hormones to stimulate egg release, sperm is taken + egg is fertilised,
embryo is implanted into a different female
^^ this allows a single female to have multiple offspring at only one time

52
Q

how does provision of suitable abiotic factors increase breeding success in ex situ conservation

A

factors are manipulated to increase breeding success rate eg. temperature, light, salinity etc..

53
Q

name some examples of recreating population Dynamics and conditions for increasing breeding success

A
  • creating the right male to female ratio
  • managed so there is no inbreeding
  • features eg. nesting sites
  • may require to be kept in large groups with greater space to be able to breed eg. flamingos
54
Q

name 5 problems with releasing captive bred organisms into the Wild and their Solutions

A

P - possible association with humans ( positive = may go up to the Hunters)
S - dress up as animals/ use puppets

P- may not be immune to local diseases
S- vaccinate them

P- loss of habitat/ original threat may still exist
S- release into protected areas

P- unsuitable age/ sex ratio
S -only release suitable ones/ ratio

P- low genetic diversity
S - avoid inbreeding in captivity +/ release in large numbers (higher pop. = greater diversity)

P - lack of Survival Skills eg. hunting + avoiding predators
S- train them

P- lack of social skills
S - release in groups

55
Q

what is a soft release programme?

A

providing support once released eg. food, monitoring, health checks etc..
- may also be initially released into a fenced off area

56
Q

what is a hard release programme

A

no support - released into the Wild and left

57
Q

name five type of protected habitats

A

MNR
SSSI
NNR
LNR
MCZ
MPA
ramsar
SPA
SAC
natura 2000 site

58
Q

what is MNR and give an example

A

marine nature reserve
Isle of Man

59
Q

what is SSSI and give an example

A

site of specific scientific interest
national parks

60
Q

what is NNR and give an example

A

national nature reserves
Yellowstone

61
Q

what is LNR and give an example

A

local nature reserves
Wildlife Trust

62
Q

what is MCZ and give an example

A

protected areas of Coast protecting the life within
-UK waters

63
Q

what is MPA and give an example

A

to protect marine habitats
Galapagos marine reserve

64
Q

what is ramsar and give an example

A

identifies areas of wetland of international importance
Abberton Reservoir

65
Q

what is SPA and give an example

A

to protect vulnerable bird species
Ashdown Forest

66
Q

what is SAC and give an example

A

conservation of natural habitats
Asby complex

67
Q

what is natura 2000 site and give an example

A

ensures long-term survival of most vulnerable habitats and species
thymen

68
Q

name seven parts of habitat management ( design of habitat)

A

-habitat area
- biological corridors
- habitat shape
- habitat diversity
- light levels
- water depth
- vegetation age structure

69
Q

what is meant by habitat area for habitat management

A

the size of the habitats:

  • must be large enough to support a viable population - large enough for no inbreeding/ big enough gene pool
  • organisms higher up the food chain often have lower population densities eg. tigers, and so would need a much larger area than other species for a viable population

some species require other species for Inter species services eg. monkeys eat fruit off trees, and so require enough variety and number of trees provided for them

larger = more breeding sites + resources
some species eg. frogs, newts, benefit from smaller habitats where it is too small to support predatory organisms eg. fish that eat eggs and tadpoles

70
Q

what is habitat fragmentation

A

splitting habitat into smaller sections:
- limits resources and food supplies
- fewer available mates - smaller gene pool, increased inbreeding

71
Q

what is meant by biological corridors for habitat management

A

isolated areas of the same habitat allowing the dispersal of young animals if there is a local breeding surplus + mixing populations and gene pools
greater access to breeding sites
decreased risk of inbreeding

72
Q

what is meant by habitat shape for habitat management

A

the perimeter of habitat may have a strip weather conditions overlap/ combine
^ some species may benefit from this

-for example a long thin oval habitat would have an increased Edge effect vs a broad round habitat
- this would mean eg. more wind penetration, reduced shade, invasive species/ predators/ poachers + an increased risk of fragmentation
( harder to protect)

73
Q

what is meant by habitat diversity for habitat management

A

natural habitats = lots of variety in habitat conditions
- this increases biodiversity as different species colonise the areas best suited/ adapted for them

74
Q

what is meant by light levels for habitat management

A

shading of trees affects plant growth on the floor beneath them
by selecting individual trees ( selective felling), you can create suitable conditions for the smaller plants that need more light
- a range in light levels allow for more biodiversity

75
Q

what is meant by water depth for habitat management

A

most aquatic plants and animals colonise areas of specific water depth
as water depth increases, the plant community changes as root anchorage + nutrient absorption from sediment becomes more difficult
- a range in water depths allow for more biodiversity

76
Q

what is meant by vegetation age structure for habitat management

A

natural Woodlands have trees of all ages
^ old trees die and create a clearing for new trees

  • unnatural Woodlands with only new trees would have few clearings, low ground light levels = little biodiversity
  • by selective felling and leaving the dead trees, a natural woodland can be replicated
77
Q

m

A

environmental science (4 decks)

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