Environment And Biodiversity Flashcards
When was biological diversity consolidated as a concept?
1970s and early 1980s
What is biological diversity?
Variability among living organisms from all sources
What was biodiversity originally called?
‘Number of species present’
What 3 levels is biodiversity considered at?
- Organismal (I.e species diversity)
- Ecological (community) biodiversity or functional diversity
- Genetic Diversity
Myers et al (2000) incentivised ‘biodiversity hotspots’ what are these?
Exceptional concentrations of endemic species that are undergoing exception loss of habitat
Give an example of a biodiversity hotspot?
44% of all species of vascular plants and 35% in four vertebrate groups are concentrated to 25 hotspots comprising only 1.4% of the land surface of earth
What do all hotspots not contain?
Threatened species
Name some endangered species?
Pandas Turtles Polar Bears Corals Silverback Gorrillas
What did the HM Government (2007) say about the natural environment?
‘Secure a healthy natural environment for today and the future’
Also
‘Living within the environmental limits’
What was the HM Governments (2007) vision for a sustainable future?
Secure a diverse, healthy and resilient natural environment. Provides good well-being, health, prosperity for now and future. And services from natural environment are reflected in decision making
Economic Value of Biodiversity: How many FTE jobs were created in nature and landscape conservation?
8600
Economic Value of Biodiversity: how much forestry employment was attributed to establishment and management of semi natural woodland?
25%
Economic Value of Biodiversity: How many jobs do green agricultural systems support and contribute?
27000 jobs
$400 million in value
Economic Value of Biodiversity: How many jobs do commercial fisheries support?
13,600
Economic Value of Biodiversity: How much is rural tourism dependant on landscapes and wildlife. How many jobs are created?
50%
180,000 jobs
What is the biodiversity 2020 plan?
To halt biodiversity loss. Support well functioning ecosystems an ecological networks. With more and better places for the benefit of nature and people
What happened in 1992 and was signed by 159 governments?
Convention on Biological Diversity or the ‘Rio Convention’
Was the first treaty to provide a legal framework for biodiversity conservation
What happened between 1994-1995?
The UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK-BAP) set 20 year targets
What happened in 2010?
The international year of biodiversity.
190 countries signed a global agreement to halt the decline, but no country met the 2010 target
What happened in 2011?
National Environment White Paper
Detailed how the gov will respond to Nagoya commitments
What happened in 2013?
Biodiversity 2020
Built on the Natural Environment White paper sets objectives for 2020
Name 6 species lost from the UK?
Burbot - 1960 Lynx - Lost first century Ivells Sea Anemone - 1983 Red Backed Shrike - 1988 Irish Lady Tresses - 1990s Large Tortoiseshell - 1953
How much did house sparrows decline between 1970 and 2008?
67%
How many water voles disapeared from sites they were previously recorded at?
94%
How many habitat specialist butterflies and butterflies have declined since 1970s?
93% specialist
76% of all butterflies
How much decrease in moth population has there been between 1968 and 2002?
44%
Name 4 invasive species?
Grey squirrel
Japanese Knot Weed
Red Squirrel
Killer Shrimp
Name 3 species that have been reintroduced?
Eurasian Beaver
Large Blue Butterfly
Great Bustard
Name 2 aspects in where environment is important to human health?
Air quality - air pollution increasing
Activity - many people doing little exercise
Name 5 types of land use?
Inland water Forestry and woodland Permanent grassland and rough grazing Total droppable area Other (inc built up areas)
Water quality in rivers is slowly improving. In 2009 how much was above moderate in comparison to 2012?
34% - 09
39% - 12
Has sustainable fisheries been increasing and by how much between 1990 and 2010?
Yes
1990 - 5/30%
2010 - 40/45%
How many species and habitats are in decline. Also how many priority species were lost completely between 2002 and 2008?
Species - 30%
Habitats - 40%
Priority Species - 8
Name the main factors of sites of special interest (SSSIs)
- Designated under UK ‘Wildlife and Countryside act 1981’
- ‘special interest’ due to flora, fauna or geology
- legislation provides high level of protection
- 6.1% of England area protected
- biological an geological
Name 3 key factors of a National Nature Reserve (NNRs)
Considered very best examples of SSSIs
Include most pristine habitats and rarest species
Area protected - 0.47% of England
How many National Parks in UK?
15
Name 4 main factors of Areas of Outstanding National Beauty (AONBs)
- 46 areas
- takes into account safeguarding local communities and economy
- equivalent status of National Parks but no authorities
- looked after by partnerships
Name 3 main factors of SPAs and SACs?
They’re strictly protected by Conservation Regulations 1994
They’re part of European network of high quality conservation sites
All UK sites are also SSSIs
What is an SPA?
Special protection area
For protection of rare as vulnerable species
What is an SAC?
Protection of high quality habitats of significant conservation value
Name some benefits to society ecosystems and biodiversity bring?
Soil fertility, purification of water, protection from UV radiation, climate regulation, photosynthesis, primary decomposition, nutrient recycling
Name some factors of ecosystem services? 6 things…
- Critical in economic analysis and decision making
- Recognises the value of ESS and allows a more sustainable future
- Needs to be considered in Uk
- Decline in quality, 30%
- Faced with pop growth and climate change
- UK first to incorporate approach
How much does woodland cover in the UK in 1980s compared to 1870s?
1870 - 5%
1980 - 7%
What I the Dutch Elm Diasese?
Caused by fungi. Spread by beetles. First epidemic 1920-40. Lost 10-40% of elms. 2nd outbreak 1960s, led to death of majority of mature species. DED still persists today
What is ash dieback?
Ash makes up 5% of UK woodland. Caused by fungal pathogen. Causes leaf loss, crown dieback and death. First confirmed in UK in 2012, 100k trees destroyed to stop spreading
What’s the National Forest?
200 square miles of woodland linking 2 forests. Charnwood and Needwood forest.
800p hectares planted with woodlands, bought 1500ha of habitats
8milli trees planted, green over 6700 hectares
Name some economic benefits of the National forest?
25% increase in planting
£1milli revenue generated
More habitats
Marine ecosystems. Name 5 facts about them in the Uk?
- 12,000km of Coast line
- 108 SACs with marine components for marine habitats
- 107 SPAs with a marine components
- 31 MCZs to be designated
How much fish stocks have been sustainable harvested in UK in 1990 and 2011?
1990s - 5/10%
2011 - 50%
Who are fish fight and SOS?
Marine conservation zones. Designation of 31 out of 127 sites. SOS targeted 127.
Name 8 issues which contribute to marine pollution?
- nutrients
- sediments
- pathogens
- toxic ants
- oil
- invasive species
- plastics
- ocean acidification
Name an area of habitat restoration and what they done?
Flow country
Largest area of blanket bog. Covers 400k hectares. Estimated 400milli tonnes of carbon.
Used afforestation to restore. Wind farms. Became a UNESCO site, SSSI, SAC, SPA and Ramsay destination.
