Methods of maintaining biodiversity 11.8 Flashcards
what is meant by conservation
- the preservation and management of environment and natural resources.
what are the types of conservation
- in situ conservation (within the natural habitat)
- ex situ (out of the natural habitat)
What are the classifications for abundance in the wild that scientist use
- extinct, no organisms of the species exist anywhere in the world
- extinct in the wild, organisms of the species only exist in captivity
- endangered, a species that is in danger of extinction
- vulnerable, a species that is considered likely to become endangered in the near future
- non threatend
- least concern
what is meant by sustainable development
economic development that meets the needs to people today, without limiting the ability of further generations to meet their needs
what does in situ conservation maintain
it maintain not only genetic diversity of species, but also the evolutionary adaptations that enable a species to adapt continually ro changing environmental conditions, such as changes in pest populations or climate, it also preserves the interdependent relationships present in a habitat
Which type of conservation is cheaper
in situ
what are some active management techniques that may be used on wildlife reserves
- controlled grazing
- restricting human access
- controlling poaching
- feeding animals
- reintroduction of species
- culling or removal of invasive species
- halting succession
How is controlled grazing used on wildlife reserves
only allowing livestock to graze a particular area of land for a certain period of time to allow species time to recover, or keeping a controlled number of animals in a habitat to maintain it
How is restricting human access good for wildlife management
example: not allowing people to visit a beach during the seal reproductive season, or by providing paths which must be followed to prevent plants being trampled
what are some ways to control poaching on wildlife reserves
- creating defences to prevent access
- issuing penalties (fines, prison time)
- removing the supply or demand for matieral being poached to disincentivise (removal of rhino horns)
How is feeding animals a technique to manage wildlife reserves
this techniques can help to ensure more organisms survive to reproductive age
what is the technique of reintroduction of species
adding species to areas that have become locally extinct, or whose numbers have decreased significantly
How is culling or removal of invasive species an active management technique that helps to maintain wildlife reserve
an invasive species is an organism that is not native to an area and has negative effects on the economy, environment or health. These organisms compete with native species for resources
How is halting succession an active management technique that helps to maintain wildlife reserve
succession is a natural process in which early colonising species are replaced over time until a stable mature population is achieved. For example, as a result of natural succession any piece of land left alone for long enough in the UK will develop into woodland.
why are marine reserves important
they preserve species rich areas such as coral reefs, which are being devastated by non-sustainable fishing methods. The purpose of the marine reserve is not to prevent fisherman from visiting the entire area, but to create areas to refuge within which populations can build up and repopulate adjacent areas.
what does ex situ conservation involve
involve the removal of organisms from their natural habitats. It is normally used in addition to in situ measures, ensuring the survival of a species
How are botanic gardens an example of ex situ conservation
Here the species are actively managed to provide them with the best resources to grow, such as the provision of soil nutrients, sufficient watering and the removal or prevention of pests
Why can capative breeding sometimes not be the best ex situ conservation
- diseases there may be a loss of resistance to local diseases in captive bred populations.
- behaviour, some behaviour is innate but much has to be learned through copying or experience which can be hard to simulate in a captive environment that don’t have the same stimulus, this could make it hard for them to survive in their natural habitats
- genetic races, the genetic make up of captive animals an become so different from the original population that the 2 populations cannot interbreed
- habitat, in many cases the natural habitat must first be restored to allow for captive populations to be reintroduced. I there is only a small amount of habitat left then introducing a population could put even more stress of the habitat and lead to its loss
What is the red list
It is a list published by the International union for the conservation of nature (IUCN) that details the current conservation status of threatened animals.
What come about as a result of the rio convention
- The convention on biological diversity requires countries to develop national strategies for sustainable development, thus ensuring the maintenance of biodiversity
- The United Nations framework convention on climate change is an agreement between nations to take steps to stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations within the atmosphere
- The United Nations convention to combat desertification aims to prevent the transformation of fertile land into desert and reduce the effects of drought through programmes of international cooperation
what is the countryside stewardship scheme
The scheme, which operated from 1991-2014, offered governmental payments to farmers and other land managers to enhance and conserve the English landscape. Its general aim was to make conservation a part of normal farming and land management practice
What are some aims of the countryside stewardship scheme
- sustaining the beauty and diversity of the landscape
- improving, extending and creating wildlife habitats
- restoring neglected land and conserving archaeological and historic features
- improving opportunities for countryside enjoyment
