Conservation

Question 1

Genetic conservation strategies

Answer 1

Gene/seed banks

Development of new strains e.g. salt resist crop/vegetation varieties

Captive breeding: Bilby in barna mia

Question 2

Environmental conservation strategies

Answer 2

Revegetation: plant deep-rooted vegetation to lower water table, provide habitat.

Green corridors

Controlling introduced species and pests: 1080, eradicate, train dogs to assist.

Question 3

Management strategies

Answer 3

National parks

Protected zones

Question 4

Natural features of endemic species/Australian species that put them at risk of decline

Answer 4

Ancient land mass, highly eroded and weathered. As a result land has low fertility.
Organisms have had a long period of time on an island continent and have evolved to suit the relatively low productivity of the land.
Organisms have very specialized niches
Organisms have low reproductive output
Organisms lack genetic immunity to disease - populations in Australia have been isolated for long periods of time.
Australia has had low predator regimes
Mammals and birds on islands tend to lack fear of predators.

Question 5

Biological reasons to conserve natural ecosystems

Answer 5

• Biodiversity(of ecosystems, within species)
• Genetic reservoir
• Soil conservation
• Resilience to change – food webs
• Interrelationships between organisms are maintained
• Maintain energy flow
• Maintain matter cycles
• Maintain water quality
• Maintain air quality
• Maintain climate patterns
• Areas for education and study
• Wilderness areas for natural resources
• Maintain migration pathways

Question 6

Non-biological reasons to conserve natural ecosystems

Answer 6

• Medicinal value
• Aesthetics
• Recreation
• Ethics – makes us feel good
• Tourism $$$
• Cultural value, geological/evolutionary – fossils preserves