Conservation Strategies:

Question 1

Reasons for conserving

Answer 1

Their interdependence: fragile ecosystems are easily upset. All organisms ultimately depend on each other in a community
Genetic diversity: maintaining a large gene pool for the continuation of a species and upon which natural selection can act
Resources for scientific studies: scientists continue to discover new species. Little is known about most species
Economic use: humans depend on drugs for medicines which many plants and animals produce
To save wildlife from extinction:
Aesthetic and cultural reasons: appreciation of natural phenomena

Question 2

In situ

Answer 2

within the environment (protected areas)

Question 3

Ex situ

Answer 3

taking organisms out of the environment to save them (captive breeding)

Question 4

Genetic strategies

Answer 4

Gene bank
Captive breeding program
Seed bank

Question 5

Gene banks

Answer 5

Gene banks are a means of preserving genetic material, be it plant or animal.
In plants, this could be freezing cuts from the plant, or the seeds themselves.
In animals, this is the freezing of sperm and eggs in zoological freezers until further needed. In plants, it is possible to unfreeze the material and propagate it, however, in animals, a living female is required for artificial insemination

Question 6

Captive breeding programs

Answer 6

Captive breeding provides a means for conserving species that may not survive in the wild. The goal of most captive breeding programs for endangered species is to establish captive populations that are large enough to be demographically stable and genetically healthy. (project Eden)

Question 7

Seed banks

Answer 7

Large quantities of genetic material can be stored in a very small space in a seed bank. Compare the amount of space taken up by 10 Eucalyptus seeds with 10 Eucalyptus trees. It can be stored for very long periods of time if the conditions are suitable

Question 8

Environmental strategies

Answer 8

Biological control
Reforestation
Eradication of introduced species

Question 9

Biological control

Answer 9

The use of natural predators to bring about a reduction in pest numbers. Environmentally safer than chemical control, provided that the control agent does not become a pest itself.

Question 10

Reforestation

Answer 10

planting trees

Question 11

Eradication of introduced species

Answer 11

1080 baiting, ERADICAT

Question 12

Management strategies

Answer 12

Licences / closed seasons / bag or boat or possession limits / size limits
National parks, marine parks, reserves: protects and conserves the natural environment (Department of Parks and wildlife)