Conservation of Biodiversity Flashcards
Why are biomimetrics important in conserving biodiversity?
They involve the use of knowledge of the adaptations of other species, to improve the designs of manufactured items.
All species have evolved over long periods of time, developing adaptations that increase their chances of survival. Some of these involve structural features that help us to deign improved engineering structures and equipment.
Why are medicines important in conserving biodiversity?
Plants need to protect themselves from herbivores. Some plants used thorns, spikes and bad tastes, but many produce chemical toxins for the animal that may eat them. Many of these chemicals are alkaloids. In carefully controlled amounts, these chemicals may have beneficial medical effects in humans:
1. Poppies are cultivated to produce painkillers, morphine and codeine.
2. The cinchona tree of South America rainforests was used to produce quinine for malaria protection.
3. Aspirin was extracted from the bark of willow trees. It is now manufactured synthetically.
Why is physiological research important in conserving biodiversity?
Some species have evolved to become adapted to specific environmental conditions, and by studying these, we could get a greater understanding of human health problems:
1. Marsupials give birth to their young at a very early stage of development; they then develop in their mother’s pouch. Studying an developing kangaroo/wallaby is easier than studying human baby of the same age inside it’s mother’s womb.
2. Hippopotamus skin secretes hipposudoric acid which is a natural sunscreen and anti microbial agent. This is studied to help improve the treatment of burn victims.
3. Armadillos are one of the few animals that can catch the bacterial disease leprosy. They are used in the study of the disease and in vaccine production.
Why is pest control species important in conserving biodiversity?
A wide range of predators, herbivores, parasites and pathogens are used to control agricultural pests. Some may be indigenous species, while others may have to be introduced:
1. The populations of natural predators such as ladybirds and ground beetles can be increased by providing suitable habitats such as hedgerows and beetle banks.
2. Encarsia formosa is a parasitic wasp that is released in greenhouses to control whitefly pests on crops such as tomatoes.
3. Herbivores may be introduced to control weeds, especially if the weed species is non-indigenous and is not eaten by the indigenous herbivores. The prickly pear cactus became a weed after its introduction to Australia from South America. The Cactoblastis was successfully introduced from South America to control it.
What is ex-situ conservation?
Ensures the survival of a species.
Useful when in-situ isn’t working.
Allows individuals already in captivity to live.
Educated the public.
Can increase the wild population.
What is in-situ conservation?
Allows a community to be protected.
Doesn’t cause changes in animal’s behaviour.
Ethically ‘better’.
Advantages of in-situ conservation.
Protects animals in their natural habitat.
Permanent protection of biodiversity and ecosystem.
Allows sustainable management of resources.
Disadvantages of in-situ conservation.
Protected animals are still hunted.
Protected animal may feed on local farm crops.
Tourists feed animals and leave litter.
Advantages of ex-situ conservation.
Breeding programmes (e.g., IVF).
Individual medical care.
Protect endangered species.
Disadvantages of ex-situ conservation.
Breeding often unsuccessful as not natural habitat.
Problems with reintroduction into wild = too domesticated.
Collection may not represent full genetic diversity of the species.
Advantages of ex-situ conservation (seed banks).
Samples easy to collect.
Excess of seeds produced so little damage to habitat by collecting.
Easy to store, taking up little space and remain viable for a long time.
Disadvantages of ex-situ conservation (seed banks).
Any collection will affect the ecosystem.
Limited specimens = less genetic diversity = less genetic variation.
Asexual reproduction = less genetic diversity = less gene pool = less resistant to disease.
What makes a good habitat?
Large enough.
Enough breeding sites.
Biological corridors to allow successful migration.
Enough food resources.
Habitats close enough together for migration.
Sites for hibernation if needed.
Suitable abiotic features, e.g., trees for shade.
What is a hard release?
When you release animals without support.
What is a soft release?
When you release animals with support, either before or/and after.
