F212 3 Maintaining Biodiversity

Question 0

Reasons to Maintain Biodiversity

Ecological

Answer 0

Organisms rely on other organisms in the food chain
Regulation of the atmosphere
Formation and fertilisation of soil
Crop pollination

Question 1

Reasons to Maintain Biodiversity

Economic

Answer 1

Tourism  and leisure
Drugs 
Fuels - e.g. biomass
Plants and Animals are sources of food
Clothing

Question 2

Reasons to Maintain Biodiversity

Ethical

Answer 2

All organisms have the right to survive
All organisms have the right to live in the way they have adapted to live
Loss of habitat and biodiversity prevents organisms from living in their natural habitat

Question 3

Reasons to Maintain Biodiversity

Aesthetic

Answer 3

Natural beauty
Enjoyment
Important for our physical, intellectual and emotional health

Question 4

In Situ Conservation

Definition

Answer 4

Attempting to minimise human impact on the natural environment and protecting it

Question 5

Ex Situ Conservation

Definition

Answer 5

Conserving an endangered species through activities that take place outside its normal environment

Question 6

Ex Situ Conservation

Seed Banks

Answer 6

Seeds are that are stored in very dry or freezing conditions in a seed bank remain viable for years
As the seed moisture decreases by 1% or temperature decreases by 5°C the life span of the seed doubles
Seeds are tested regularly for viability
Seeds can be used for habitat reclamation or repopulation

Question 7

In Situ Conservation

Home

Answer 7

National Parks
Areas of Scientific Interest
Reserves
Repopulation

Question 8

In Situ Conversation

Abroad

Answer 8

Reintroducing Natural Fauna

Question 9

In Situ Conservation

Legislation

Answer 9

To stop hunting, logging and clearing land for agriculture
Country specific
Can be difficult to persuade countries to get involved
Hard to enforce

Question 10

In Situ Conservation

Conservation Parks

Answer 10

Comprehensiveness - how many species are represented in the area and what are the prevailing environmental conditions

Adequacy - is the area large enough for the long term survival of all the species living in it

Representativeness - is there a full range of diversity within each species and set of environmental conditions

Question 11

In Situ Conservation

Advantages

Answer 11

Plants and animals are conserved in their natural environment
Permanently protects biodiversity
Permanently protects natural and cultural heritage
Facilitates scientific interest
Can restore ecological integrity

Question 12

In Situ Conservation

Disadvantages

Answer 12

Protected animals can come out of reserves to raid crops
Legislation is difficult to enforce
Can be hard to get the agreement of foreign governments

Question 13

Ex Situ Conservation

Seed Banks - Advantages

Answer 13

Seeds are produced in large numbers so can be collected from the wild with minimal impact
Large numbers can be stored in a small space
Lots of individuals for research
The seeds are stored and germinated in proceed surroundings
Captive bread organisms can be reintroduced to the wild

Question 14

Ex Situ Conservation

Seed Banks - Disadvantages

Answer 14

Any collection of wild seeds will cause some disturbance
Collected samples may not be representative of genetic diversity in the wild
Seeds stored may lose viability
Conclusions from research based on small samples may not be representative of he entire species

Question 15

Ex Situ Conservation

Animals

Answer 15

Captive breeding
In vitro fertilisation, artificial insemination and embryo transfer techniques used with domestic and wild animals
Research in similar domestic species can speed up progress with wild animals
- endangered individuals are saved from experimentation until the final stages

Question 16

Ex Situ Conservation

Captive Breeding - Difficulties

Answer 16

Very expensive
Failure to breed successfully
Limited space means limited number of individuals meaning limited genetic diversity
Animals have to survive reintroduction to the wild
Animals have to be accepted by wild members of the species
Reproductive physiology is species specific so each species has to be researched in depth

Question 17

Ex Situ Conservation

Seed Banks and Botanic Gardens

Answer 17

Scientists at botanical gardens remove samples of seeds and germinate them periodically
They plant the seeds in Petri dishes of nutrient agar in controlled conditions
Germination rate and success is measured
Scientists are able to measure the condition of stored seeds
Research continues into physiology of seed dormancy and germination hopefully leading to better storage methods

Question 18

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species ( CITES )
Purpose

Answer 18

Prohibits commercial trade in wild plants
Permits trade in artificially propagated plants
Regulates and monitors trade of selected plant and animal species
Makes it illegal to trade in products from endangered species e.g. rhino horn

Question 19

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species ( CITES )
Definition

Answer 19

1973

An international agreement to ensure that international trade doesn’t threaten species

Question 20

Rio Convention on Biodiversity

Purpose

Answer 20

Partners share genetic material
Partners share scientific knowledge and technologies
Partners must adopt ex-situ methods of conservation
Promoted the sustainable use of resources

Question 21

Rio Convention on Biodiversity

Definition

Answer 21

1992

150 government leaders signed up to the agreement in Rio

Question 22

Environmental Impact Assessment

Purpose

Answer 22

To find out if the construction of the development will damage or pollute the habitat
Check or threatened or endangered species on the site
Identifies ways the effect of he development could be minimised
Promotes the exchange of information between the public and the local authority

Question 23

Environmental Impact Assessment

Definition

Answer 23

An assessment of the environmental impact of a development e.g. a shopping centre or power station