International and National Conservation Organisations

Question 1

Define the term ‘extinction’.

Answer 1

The dying out or extermination of a species
It occurs when a species is diminished because of environmental factors like stochastic events, overexploitation of species for human use or evolutionary changes in their members

Question 2

What is the estimated average extinction rate?

Answer 2

Between 1 and 5 species will go extinct per year

Question 3

What has caused the high average extinction rate?

Answer 3

Habitat destruction
Pollution
Climate change
Overhunting

Question 4

What will human activities that cause extinction likely result in?

Answer 4

Between 30% and 50% of all extant species to go extinct by the mid 21st century

Question 5

What international organisations are there that help prevent extinction?

Answer 5

Worldwide Fund for Nature
International Union Conservation of Nature
Endangered Species International
International Wildlife Conservation Society
UN Convention on Biodiversity

Question 6

What international legislations are there that help prevent extinction?

Answer 6

Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species

Question 7

What national organisations are there that help prevent extinction?

Answer 7

Royal Society of the Protection of Birds
National Wildlife Federation
Biodiversity Action Plan
Wildlife Trust

Question 8

What national legislations are there that help prevent extinction?

Answer 8

Wildlife Countryside Act 1981
Conservation (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1994
Environment Act 1995