Conservation of Biodiversity.

Question 1

Define the term ‘conservation’.

Answer 1

The protection and management of endangered species.

Question 2

What is an endangered species?

Answer 2

Species that are at risk of extinction because of a low population or threatened habitats.

Question 3

How does global biodiversity decrease?

Answer 3

The extinction of a species or loss of genetic biodiversity within a species.

Question 4

How do seedbanks conserve biodiversity?

Answer 4

They store seeds from lots of different species of plants and store seeds of endangered plants too.

Question 5

How do seedbanks work?

Answer 5

1. The create cool, dry conditions needed for the storage of seeds. This means the seeds can be stored for longer periods of time.
2. Scientists can test seeds fro viability
3. Seeds are planted, grown and the new seeds are harvested.

Question 6

Define the term ‘viability’.

Answer 6

The ability of a seed to grow into a plant

Question 7

What are the positives of seedbanks?

Answer 7

+ cheaper to store seeds than plants
+ large numbers of seeds can be stored
+ little labour required to look after seeds
+ seeds can be stored anywhere
+ seeds are less likely yo be damaged by disease, natural disaster or vandalism compared to plants.

Question 8

What are the negatives of seedbanks?

Answer 8

• testing for viability can be expensive & time-consuming
• too expensive to store all types of seeds and regularly test their viability
• it is difficult to collect some seeds as they may grow in remote locations

Question 9

How do zoos help conserve biodiversity?

Answer 9

Species that are endangered/extinct in the wild can be bred together to help increase their numbers.

Question 10

What are the problems that may occur in zoos?

Answer 10

• animals can have breeding problems outside their natural habitat, which can be hard to replicate in zoos
• people believe that it is cruel to keep animals captivity

Question 11

How does reintroducing plants/animals into the wild help to conserve biodiversity?

Answer 11

It helps to conserve their numbers, helps organisms that rely on these animals/plants for food or as part of their habitat. It also contributes to restoring habitats.

Question 12

Why could reintroducing plants/animals into the wild be a negative move?

Answer 12

Reintroduced organisms could bring new diseases to habitats, harming the other organisms living there and the reintroduced organisms may not behave as they would if they had been raised in the wild.

Question 13

How can seedbanks be used for scientific research?

Answer 13

1. Scientists can study how plant species can be successfully grown from seeds which is useful for reintroduction into the wild.
2. They can be used to grow endangered plants for medical research
3. They also contribute to providing training and the setting up of other local seedbanks around the world.

Question 14

Why could seedbanks be a negative aspect for scientific research?

Answer 14

Scientists studying plants from seedbanks limit their collection of data to small, interbred populations. This data may not be representative of wild plants of the same species.

Question 15

How can zoos be used for scientific research?

Answer 15

1. It increases knowledge about animals’ behaviour, physiology and nutritional needs.
2. Scientists are able to carry out research that’s not possible in the wild
3. It also increase people’s enthusiasm and interest for conservation work.

Question 16

Why could zoos be a negative aspect for scientific research?

Answer 16

The animals kept in captivity may act differently to those in the wild.