Conservation And Biodiversity

Question 1

Suggest reasons for maintaining plant biodiversity

Answer 1

• some plants may have important uses in future
• medical uses
• resource material e.g. wood for building
• ecotourism
• maintain genetic diversity
• Maintain stability in ecosystems

Question 2

Define biodiversity

Answer 2

Diversity of ecosystems in a region
The number of different species in each ecosystem
The genetic diversity within populations of each species

Question 3

Explain the need to maintain biodiversity in an ecosystem such as a tropical rainforest

Answer 3

• aesthetic reasons
• ethical reasons
• resource material e.g. wood for building
• ecotourism
• economic benefits
• resource may have use in future
• maintains food web
• nutrient cycling
• protection against erosion
• maintains large gene pool
• scientific research

Question 4

Pros and cons of captive breeding programmes

Answer 4

Pros:

• can monitor health of mother
• can monitor development of foetus
• storage of gametes
• artificial insemination
• IVF
• surrogate mothers
• international cooperation
• genetic records kept
• can prevent extinction

Cons

• unnatural environment
• stress in captivity
• behavioural changes
• reproductive cycles disrupted
• may reject selected mate
• problems with release

Question 5

State 3 reasons why it is important to conserve species

Answer 5

• To maintain biodiversity
• to maintain food webs
• resources e.g. medicines
• aesthetic reasons
• ethical duty