Conservation of Biodiversity

Question 1

Why conserve biodiversity?

Answer 1

Most reasons fall under economic, ecological, social and aesthetic.

Question 2

Direct values of biodiversity?

Answer 2

• Food
• Medicine
• Shelter
• Research
• Tourism

Question 3

Indirect values of biodiversity?

Answer 3

Ecological services

Question 4

Give examples of ecological services

Answer 4

Pollination
Photosynthesis
Water purification
Erosion control
Soil nutrient cycles

Question 5

Non-utilitarian values of biodiversity?

Answer 5

•Intrinsic 
•Scientific - not necessarily mimicry
- Expanding knowledge
• Cultural Value
• Aesthetic Value
- Charismatic Megafauna
•Spiritual

Question 6

How does biodiversity effect human rights?

Answer 6

If biodiversity is protected, indigenous tribes that also inhabit the same land are protected.

Question 7

How does biodiversity effect human health?

Answer 7

Medicine, e.g. penicillin from fungi

Question 8

What is conservation biology?

Answer 8

The sustainable use and management of natural resources

Question 9

What is preservation biology?

Answer 9

Attempts to exclude human activity in areas where they have not yet encroached.

Question 10

Do conservation biologists want no human interaction with the environment at all?

Answer 10

No, they just want it all to be sustainable.

Question 11

What is a preservationists view?

Answer 11

Very ecocentric. Puts value on nature on its intrinsic worth not its usefulness to humans. Some argue the smallpox virus should not be destroyed even if it harms humans.

Question 12

What is an intergovernmental organization?

Answer 12

composed of a group of countries
Also called international organizations
e.g. UN

Question 13

What is a governmental organization?

Answer 13

Part of and funded by a national government

Highly bureauatic

Question 14

What is a non-governmental organisation?

Answer 14

Not for part of government
not for profit
may be international or local
run by volunteers
very diverse
e.g. Greenpeace

Question 15

What are the approaches to conservation?

Answer 15

Species based conservation and habitat conservation

Question 16

What are the approaches to species based conservation

Answer 16

CITES (The convention on international trade in endangered species of wild flora and fauna)
Zoos and captive breeding
Seed banks
Umbrella species/flagship species
Keystone species

Question 17

What are the approaches to habitat based conservation?

What does one have to consider when doing so?

Answer 17

Designing protected areas.

1. How large it should be
2. Is it better to have one larger or several small
3. What’s the best shape
4. How close they should be to each other if theres several and should they be joined by corridors or separate.

Question 18

What are the appendices of CITES?

Answer 18

Appendix one - species cannot be traded internationally as they are threatened with extinction
Appendix two - species can be traded internationally but within strict regulations ensuring its sustainability
Appendix three - species included by a country which there needs to cooperation of other countries.

Question 19

What is a flagship species?

Answer 19

Species are charasmatic and instantly recognised. They are mainly used to ask for funds which then protect the habitat and other species that are more threatened.

Question 20

Problems with naming a flagship species?

Answer 20

Take priority over others
If they were to become extinct, the message is that we have failed
They may be in conflict with local peoples

Question 21

What is a keystone species?

Answer 21

One that plays a critical role in maintaining the structure of the ecosystem in which they live.

Question 22

Several small pros:

Answer 22

Provides a greater range of habitats
good for migratory birds
more populations of a rare species
The danger of a human made disaster wiping out inhabitants of reserve is lessened.

Question 23

Several small cons:

Answer 23

Management needed for all
More circumference: area ratio
More edge effect
Establish corridors to minimise edge effect, without them animals may need to cross roads and could get hit by cars
Also can’t support top predators

Question 24

Single large pros:

Answer 24

Can support top predators
Minimises edge effects
More habitats and niches

Question 25

Cons of CITES

Answer 25

Could undermine local economies
Doesn’t prevent habitat loss
May not reduce demand, demand may increase. Black market
Political factors may effect what is done
Expensive to control
Does not protect animal in field (rhinos are killed, so what if you get horn?)

Question 26

Pros of zoos

Answer 26

Can be educational

Could bring species back from the brink of extinction

Question 27

Cons of zoos

Answer 27

Imprinting makes reintroduction hard
May not want to reproduce in that environment - breeding cycle is affected by seasons
They do not have their natural habitat
Money becomes an influence so animals may not be treated as will maximise benefit them.

Question 28

Pros of seed banks

Answer 28

Save genetic material

Agricultural diversity

Question 29

What is the edge effect?

Answer 29

Edge effects occur at ecotones, which is where two habitats meet and there is a change near the boundary. Here, abiotic factors are changed such as more wind (more trees in the middle, less wind). There are also more species present here as there are species from each habitat, so there’s more competition.

Question 30

What is the optimal shape of a protection area?

Answer 30

1. A circle because it minimised the edge effect.
2. Intact is better than fragmented as lower circumference to surface area ration.
3. Three in a triangle is better than three in a line as they are more equidistant.
4. Connected with corridors is better.

Question 31

Cons of single large:

Answer 31

• Less opportunity for habitat diversity
• Not good for migratory animals
• Could be more negatively effected by a forrest fire