populations and sustainability- case studies Flashcards
Describe the location of the Masai Mara National reserve
- southern kenya
- savannah ecosystem divided by the main Mara river. Fertile regions close to the river.
Describe the effects of the domination of acacia bush in the Masai region
acacia bush provides habitat for tsetse fly which is a carry of African sleeping sickness.. To reduce spread of disease, government workers and indigenous communities communities have cleared tracts of acacia.
Describe traditional grazing in the Masai Mara region
Traditionally the region has been used by local tribes for livestock grazing- semi nomadic farming depending on climate variation and tsetse flies. This allows times for vegetation to recover from animal grazing.
Describe grazing now in the Masai Mara region
grazing is now limited to areas on the edge of the reverse as local tribes are prevented from entering the park. Larger herds graze the grassland areas, more trees removed for fuel. When vegetation is removed, the risk of soil erosion increases.
Describe cultivation in Masai Mara region
level of cultivation has increased. Grassland is converted to cropland, removing natural vegetation and nutrients in soil are used up. Overtime, crop growth will be relient on fertilisers
Describe ecotourism in the Masai Mara region
the region relies on tourism for economic input.
What is ecotourism?
tourism directed towards natural environments, to support conservation efforts and observe wild life. It is sustainable.
What are the key principles of ecotourism?
- ensure not to exploit the natural environment or local communities
- consult and engage with local communities on planned developments
- ensure that infrastructure improvements benefit local people as well as visitors
what are the negative impacts of ecotourism?
the repeated use of hiking trails, or the use of mechanised transport may contribute to soil erosion and other habitat changes
why are black rhino considered the most engaged animals in Africa?
due to poaching for money. The rhino horn is in high demand for the use in traditional medicine
What took place in the Masai mara region due to the endangered species of the black rhino?
- poaching is illegal
- active conservation and protection programme established to encourage a balance between the needs of local communities and those of the wildlife. This included employment of reserve rangers and the provision of communication equipment, vehicles, infrastructure. This is to detect poachers.
what scientific research projects have taken place in the Masai Mara region (Michigan state university)?
-Michigan state university, studying the behaviour and the physiology of the hyena
what scientific research projects have taken place in the Masai Mara region (Subalusky and Dutton)?
-Subalusky and Dutton, completing a flow assessment for Mara River Basin. Aim to identify the river flows needed to provide for both basic human needs and to sustain the ecosystem
what scientific research projects have taken place in the Masai Mara region (The Mara Predator Project)?
-The Mara Predator Project which monitors the lion populations. Aim is to identify the population trends in response to changes in land management, human settlement, livestock movement and tourism
what scientific research projects have taken place in the Masai Mara region (The Mara-Menu Cheetah project)?
aims to monitor the cheetah populations and evaluate the impact of human activity on cheetah behaviour and survival.
why is increasing wildlife density threatening in the Masai Mara region?
increase threatens pastoral and cultivation lifestyles. A constant balance is needed for animal and human population.
How do elephants and other animals in the Masai Mara region threaten cultivation?
large populations often trample and damage homesteads. Grazing animals can eat crops. This can be prevented with fencing but may have negative effects on natural migration.
How can overly high wildlife density be prevented by legal hunting in the Masai Mara region?
this hunting can be used to cull excess animals and successfully maintain population numbers. However, numbers must be constantly monitored
How does migratory wildlife threaten livestock?
due to competition and new diseases
How does the expansion of the human population decline the wildlife density?
more land required for homes and agriculture
How does migratory wildlife threaten livestock?
due to competition and new diseases
Describe the ecosystem of the Tarai region in Nepal
- extreme biodiversity
- national source of income
- As a result of poverty and corruption, large areas have been cleared for agriculture or to sell timber
what are the aims of sustainable management in the Tarai region of Nepal?
- provide a livelihood for local people
- ensure the conservation of forests
- provide the Nepali state with considerable income for general development
How are the sustainable management aims achieved- Tarai region?
- through supportive national legalisation
- through development of local community forestry groups
How do local forestry groups sustainably manage the Tarai region?
operational plans of setting harvesting rules, set rates and prices for products, and determine how surplus income is distributed or spent
Describe the several successes for the community forestry groups- Tarai?
- improvement in the conservation of forested regions (increased area and improved density)
- improved soil and water management
- increase in retail price of forestry products, greater economic input to region
- employment and income generation through forest protection
- sustainable wood fuel sources
- securing biodiversity of forested areas
Describe the promotion of sustainable agriculture- Terai
- production of fruits and vegetables in hills and mountains to avoid further intensification
- improving irrigation facilities for crop production
- multiple cropping
- growth of nitrogen-fixing crops for soil fertility
- growing crop varieties resistant to various soil, climatic, and biotic challenges using biotechnology and genetic engineering
- improve fertilisation techniques for crop yields
what is a peat bog?
region of wet, spongy ground that contains decomposing vegetation.
How are peat bogs useful?
- undisturbed peatland is a ‘carbon sink’ (a store of carbon dioxide). Why dry, it can be used as fuel, releasing thermal energy and CO2 (why it needs to be preserved)
- peat mixed with soil to improve structure and increase acidity for crop growth for gardeners and farmers
How do peat bogs form?
when plant material is inhibited from fully decaying by acidic and anaerobic conditions which usually occurs in wet or boggy areas.
Describe the importance of peatland
- growth of many plants that can thrive in wet conditions with few nutrients present
- bogs support many insects
- lack of disturbance from animals and humans make it an ideal space for bird nests
- open ground ideal for prey hunting
why is it essential to conserve peat bogs?
- maintain biodiversity
- food management
- erosion control downstream
- carbon storage
what is the greatest decline of peat bogs due to?
afforestation- establishment of a forest or stand of trees in an area where there was no forest. This causes peat extraction, agricultural intensification and land drainage
how can you conserve lowland bogs by ensuring peat and vegetation of the bog surface is as undisturbed and as wet as possible?
most bogs are surrounded by ditches to allow water to run off, preventing flooding. Ditch blocking by restoring a bog can raise water to bog surface
how can you conserve lowland bogs by removal of seedling trees?
As trees have a high water requirement, it will removal water from the peatland, reducing its ability to support vegetation
what are environmentally sensitive ecosystems?
regions where ecosystems are less resistant than others. E.g Galapagos islands, Antartica, Wales
what are environmentally sensitive ecosystems?
regions where ecosystems are less resistant than others
what are the native species of the Galapagos islands?
- The Galapagos giant tortoise
- The flightless cormorant, whose reduced wings were better for swimming underwater to escape predetors
- The marine iguana
what advantageous mutation does the marine iguana over a land iguana have?
- ability to swim effectively
- unless they are trying to attract a mate, it appears back and grey allowing these exotherms to bask in the sun and raise body temperatures before swimming in the cold sea. Higher the temp, longer they can forage for food
What plant species are present on the Galapagos islands and which zone?
- the coastal zone: salt tolerate species such as mangrove and saltbush
- the arid zone: drought tolerant species such as cacti and carob tree
- the humid zone: dense cloud forest where the trees support populations of mosses and liverworts
How was the fragile ecosystem disturbed- Galapagos islands?
whale trade- traders allowed domesticated animals to roam. They copped forests for fires to fender down whale fat. Removed thousand of giant tortoises for meat
-invasive goats outcompeted giant tortoises
What measures have been taken by the Galapagos National Park to protect the ecosystem?
- introduction of park rangers across islands
- limiting human access to particular islands, or specific parts of the island
- controlling migration to and from island
- strict controls of movement of introduced animals such as pigs
endothermic animals rely on? Antartica
rely on thick layers of blubber for insulation from the cold e.g whales, seals, penguins
Describe the emperor penguin- Antartica
- females lay one egg in June and spend the rest of winter at sea
- male penguins survive on land keeping their egg warm by covering with a flab of abdominal skin
Describe the plants present on Antartica
lichens and moss grow in any favourable niche such a s in sand, soil, rock and on weathered bones and feathers of dead animals . Algae are also able to grow in many sheltered areas
Describe the human effects on Antartica
- global warming and ozone depletion
- hunting of whales, seals and fish
- soil contamination, particularly around scientific research stations
- discharging of waste into the sea including human sewage
How has the Antarctic treaty protected nature?
- scientific cooperation between nations
- protection of the Antarctic environment
- conservation of plants and animals
- designation and management of protected areas
- management of tourism
Describe Snowdonia National Park, Wales
- highest mountain range in England and Wales
- lakes, rivers, woodland, heath
what animals (birds) are present? Wales, Snowdonia
- coast and estuary birds such as coughs, cormorants and oystercatchers
- forest birds such as pied flycatcher, redstart and wood warblers
- moorland and mountain birds such as osprey, buzzards and sparrow hawks
- land mammals: badgers, voles, deer and hedgehogs
what plants are present? Snowdonia
- top of mount snowdon: snowdon lily and other arctic-alpine plants which have evolved with extreme condition
- lower downtime slopes: woodlands of oak, alder, witch elm
what are the key purposes of the snowdonia park?
- conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wild life and cultural heritage of the area e.g power station moved
- promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the park
- enhance the economic and social well being of communities within the park
Describe the Lake District, England
- Englands largest mountain and lake
- moorland, fell,
Describe animals present in the lake district, England
water voles, natterjack toads, bat, red deer, golden eagle and osprey. Native species are under threat including red squirrel, vendace and species of fish
Describe plants present in the Lake District, England
- In the central fells: diverse range of arctic-alpine plant communities such as purple saxifrage and alpine cinquefoil.
- specialised trees: dwarf juniper and dwarf willow
- lower regions: sundrew and carnivorous plants
Describe carnivorous plants
insects are trapped within its leaves by a sticky mucilage - enzymes are then secreted to digest the insect, releasing its nutrients for the plant
Describe active management in the Lake District
replanting native trees
