Module 4: Biodiversity-Conservation agreements

Question 1

What is conservation?

What are the 2 types of conservation?
Define each

Answer 1

the preservation and careful management of natural resources and environments

in-situ=conserving species in their natural habitat
ex-situ=conserving species by removing them from their natural environment

Question 2

Give 5 examples of in situ conservation methods

Answer 2

-national parks and wildlife reserves
-controlling invasive or threatening species
-protecting food resources and nesting sites
-making hunting of certain species illegal
-marine conservation zones

Question 3

Give 5 advantages of in situ conservation

Answer 3

-maintains the genetic diversity of the species
-maintains the evolutionary adaptations that enable the species to adapt to changing conditions
-maintains interdependent relationships so interlinked species may also be preserved
-cheaper
-larger populations can be sustained

Question 4

What is a drawback of in situ conservation?

Answer 4

the species remain at risk from natural selection pressures such as climate change/predators etc

Question 5

Give 4 examples of ex situ conservation methods

Answer 5

-relocating species to safer regions
-relocating species for captive breeding or into zoos/botanic gardens
-storing seeds in seed banks
-reintroducing species to their natural habitat once populations are stable

Question 6

Why may animals that have been conserved using ex situ methods potentially struggle to survive when reintroduced to their natural habitat?

Answer 6

they may have a lowered resistance to disease , they may have acquired behavioural issues(not having to hunt) , there may be genetic differences or their may be limited suitable habitat available

Question 7

Make 4 points about the Rio Convention on Biological Diversity

Answer 7

-aims to develop conservation strategies and sustainable use of resources
-made biodiversity conservation an international legal responsibility
-aims to stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations and prevent transformation of fertile land into desert
-provides governments with guidance on protecting habitats

Question 8

Make 3 points about CITES

Answer 8

-it makes trading of endangered species internationally illegal
-regulates trade of wild plants/animals and their products through licensing requirements
-raises awareness of threats through education

Question 9

Make 2 points about the IUCN

Answer 9

-aids in securing international trade agreements
-publishes the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species which details the conservation status of threatened species

Question 10

Give an example of a local conservation agreement

make 2 points about what this scheme does

Answer 10

The Countryside Stewardship Scheme

-it subsidises farmers to manage land sustainably to enhance and preserve the landscape
-this makes conservation a part of normal farming and land management practise