methods of conserving biodiversity: habitat conservation Flashcards
what is in-situ conservation
the most important method of conserving wildlife as the wildlife is still living in the conditions which are appropriate for survival and the entire community is still together
- the conservation of species where they usually live
what are the approaches to habitat conservation
1) land ownership
2) designated protected areas
3) habitat creation and management
what is land ownership and how is it used for habitat conservation- give an example
when wildlife conservation organizations purchase areas of land inhabited by the protected species, for example, national trust or RSPB
individual landowners may also make management decisions that could also benefit the species
what is meant by designated protected areas
- areas of land which are given the legal status of the protection for example SSSI, NNR, SAC and Ramsar sites
What is SSSI
a designated protected site of special scientific interest; which protected areas of UK flora and fauna as well as geological and physiographical features.
activities that wish to be carried out on this site must ain permission for example ploughing or pesticide use
what is NNR
national nature reserves
what is a Ramsar site
an international agreement that protects wetland ecosystems
what is a voluntary agri-environmental scheme
- schemes that provide financial support to farmers to reward and encourage environmentally beneficial developments which help to maintain vital ecosystems which have previously been destroyed during intensive farming practices
what are the aims of voluntary agri-environmental schemes
- conserve biodivieristy
- maintain and enhance landscape quality
- promote public access and understanding
- protect natural resources
what sort of activities are rewarded by agri-environmental schemes each yer
1) beetle banks
2) hedgerow management
3) field buffer strips- protect rivers
4) wild bird seeds
5) managed reduced soil erosion
give examples of extra schemes which provide even more money if completed
- the restoration of wet grassland
- water meadow restoration
- public access
what are the 2 types of habitat conservation and explain them
1) unintentional habitat creation- the consequence of some human activities which alter existing habitats and change ecosystems
2) intentional habitat creation- managing habitats that are unstable
what should be considered for habitat design
1) shape
2) vegetation age structure
3) habitat diversity
4) water depth
5) light levels
6) biological corridors
outline why the habitat area must be considered during the design
- large enough to support a viable population- too big takes too long to meet mates, too small competition increases
- inter-species relationships have to be considered
- some species benefit from smaller habitats
why are biological corridors important during habitat design
- they link habitats allowing dispersal of the population increasing gene pool and allowing recolisination of local extinctions
how should habitat shape be considered during habitat design
1) core habitats
2) edge habitats- usually where you see the merging of two neighboring habitats so higher biodiversity, higher light levels, increased wind exposure , differences in humus of soil
- conditions vary between habitats so edge habitats may not be suited to certain species
why is habitat diversity important to consider when designing a habitat
increased biodiversity means there are more available niches meaning different species colonise the area to which it is best adapted
how do light levels affect habitat design
shading of dense trees inhibits the growth of plants on the woodland floor which can be reduced by selectively felling trees to create suitable conditions for smaller plants
why is water depth important in habitat design?
- specific species will colonise certain waters with certain depths
dominant plants absorb the most sunlight - emergent plants above water level can only support their weight in shallow water where their roots can attach to sediments
- deeper the water the harder the nutrient absorption
explain the importance of vegetation age structure in habitat design
older trees create different conditions than younger trees- creating different variations in light levels etc
- in recently planted forests there is no clearings due to no deaths therefore light levels are low reducing wildlife
- fixed by selectively felling trees to create clearing and leaving old wood for inhabitants
what abiotic factors need to be provided during habitat creation
1) water= habitats, drinking
2) dissolved oxygen = still, water has less oxygen, narrowing rivers, therefore, increasing flow increases oxygen allowing aerobic organisms
3) temp = warmth needed for egg development, shallow water warms up faster allowing the development of fish eggs, clearing of vegetation provided warmer water
4) light = clearings provide conditions for plants that need high light levels, retaining dense canopies allows shaded plant survival, photosynthesis
5) PH= many plants cant survive acidic soils due to few nitrogen-fixing bacteria, plants that do survive have little competition. too high or low causes denature of proteins, plants many capture insects for nitrates instead
6) nutrients - some plants in decreased nutrient areas have less completion so can survive in areas with fertile soils so creating habitats suitable may need the removal of topsoil
7) Salinity = some species require specific salinity for survival ie the opossum shrimp
what biotic factors need to be controlled and why
1) food- survival increase of an animal species if suitable conditions for its food species ie wildflowers
2) predation - will increase the survival of animals such as providing breeding sites for nesting birds, eradication scheme of predators helps this
3) competition - survival increases if competition decreases such as removing invasive bushes allowing growth of wildflowers
4) pollination - many flowers need to pollinate, having a range of flowering plants which pollinate at different times means food is available to pollinators all year round so are active
5) seed dispersal- some species require dispersal of seeds for survival
6) pathogens - the disease is density dependant which can maintain the health of surviving populations by removing weakest individuals
define rewilding
the reintroduction of species to their original habitat helping to retain original features of the ecosystem
give an example of rewilding
Yellow stone national park the USA- grey wolves
- all were exterminated in 1926 causing changes in populations of other species
- reintroduced in 1995 causing
1) deer pops to declines fewer young trees killed
2) more trees allowed beaver populations to increase
3) damns created from beavers increased size of wetland habitats
4) wetland species become more common increasing biodiversity
outline some forms of plagioclimax maintenance
1) grazing - eat taller plants increasing light
2) mowing - removes thorny or bad tasting vegetation herbivores don’t eat
3) burning - removes vegetation that would not be eaten by grazing individuals creating open unshaded areas for the growth of heather plants
4) coppicing - trees cut to ground level every few years creating a patchwork effect of old and young trees increasing niches
5) pollarding - branches cut above the height at which deer or livestock can reach
