LAST MINUTE ECOLOGYYYYYY

Question 1

Definition of in-situ conservation

Answer 1

It is the on-site conservation of wild species in their natural habitat in order to maintain and recover endangered species.

Question 2

Pros of in-situ conservation

Answer 2

1. Provides protection for endangered species against predators.
2. More dynamic as it involves the natural habitat of the species.
3. Helps to maintain the ongoing process of evolution and adaptation within the natural environment of the species.

Question 3

Example: protected areas.

Answer 3

1. Def: a defined geographical space, like a nature reserve, that is maintained and protected for the purpose of conservation.
2. Restrictions established:
   - Human access strictly controlled.
   - Industrial activities like agriculture and building are tightly regulated.
   - Hunting is limited or strictly prohibited.

(human access, industrial, hunting)

Question 4

Intro of invasive species

Answer 4

1. Def: A species that has moved into an ecosystem where its previously unknown.
2. Mostly been caused by humans:
   - knowingly collected and traded species between countries.
   - unknowingly provided transport for invasive species into a new ecosystem.
3. Invasive species have no population controls
   - no natural predators or competitors.
   - increase at an exponential rate.

Question 5

Impacts of invasive species.

Answer 5

1. Competition may occur between invasive species and native species that occupy similar niches, and the native species may be displaced or pushed to extinction.
2. Invasive species may also be predators, causing in a decrease in number of prey.
3. Invasive species may introduce foreign diseases to which native species have no natural immunity to.

Question 6

Competitive exclusion

Answer 6

1. A niche can only be occupied by one species, meaning that every individual species has its own unique niche.
2. If species try to occupy the same niche, they will compete with each other for the same resources.
3. One of the species will be more successful and out-compete the other until the second species:
   - is forces to occupy a new, slightly different niche
   - made locally extinct.