The Importance of the Conservation of Biodiversity Flashcards
What are the 5 main resources collected from wildlife?
- Wood (e.g. timber for construction)
- Fibres (e.g. cotton)
- Oils (e.g. vegetable oils)
- Fuels (e.g. charcoal)
- Food and future food resources
How is biodiversity important for future food resources?
There are a large number of plant species with the potential for commercial cultivation as well as animals with the potential for domestication
What is an example of a plant species with the potential for commercial cultivation?
Potato bean, North America
What is an example of an animal species with the potential for domestication?
American Bison
What is biomimetics?
A design concept that draws inspiration from nature and its processes to solve complex human problems
Why is biomimetics important?
Features of living organisms may be used in the development of new structures and materials (e.g. vehicle design, architecture)
What is an example of biomimetics?
The V-shaped formation of flocks of birds has been incorporated into the design of jet wings (reduces fuel requirements by 15%)
What is the significance of poppies in the development of new medicines?
Poppies produce opioids such as morphine which are used to treat chronic pain
What is the significance of willow bark in the development of new medicines?
Willow bark was historically used to produce aspirin which acts as a painkiller
What is the significance of the Madagascan periwinkle in the development of new medicines?
The Madagascan periwinkle produces vincristine which is used to treat childhood leukaemia (increases chances of survival by 80%)
What is physiological research?
Medical research on animal species which is useful for treating human diseases and health problems
How have squids contributed to physiological research?
Squids have been used to increase scientists’ understanding of the human nervous system and allowed the development of treatments for Alzheimer’s due to their long nerve cells
How have armadillos contributed to physiological research?
Armadillos have been used to increase scientists’ understanding of leprosy and allowed the development of vaccinations for the disease as they are one of the few animal species that can catch it
What is biological control?
The use of living organisms to control the population of agricultural pests
How have ground beetles been used for biological control?
Ground beetles control the aphid population (e.g. greenflies) and reduce the use of agricultural pesticides
How have parasitic wasps been used for biological control?
Parasitic wasps hatch from inside a dead aphid and then lays its eggs inside other aphids (often used in greenhouses)
Why is wildlife important for genetic resources?
New genes which can improve crop characteristics can be found in the wild relatives of cultivated crops
What is a Vavilov Centre?
A geographical area that contains a large number of close relatives of important crop species (before domestication and selective breeding)
How does domestication and selective breeding affect genetic diversity?
Genetic diversity is decreased
What is a CWR?
Crop Wild Relative - a wild plant closely related to a domesticated plant used for food production
Why are CWRs useful?
They contain useful genetic diversity for adapting the characteristics of important agricultural crops
What are the examples of crop characteristics can CWRs change?
- Disease resistance
- Salt tolerance
- Drought resistance
What are the examples of threats to Vavilov centres?
- Deforestation
- Urbanisation
- Mining and resource extraction
What is an example of the use of CWRs?
CWRs have been used in Vietnam to increase the salt tolerance of rice
How does wildlife contribute to atmospheric composition?
Plant species photosynthesise and animal species aerobically respire which regulates atmospheric O2 and CO2
How does wildlife contribute to biogeochemical cycles?
- Plants are important in the hydrological cycle (e.g. interception increases groundwater supplies)
- Photoautotrophs sequester CO2 from the atmosphere and regulate atmospheric temperature
What are the 3 examples of inter-species relationships?
- Pollination
- Seed dispersal
- Habitat provision
What are the 4 examples of seed dispersal?
- Seed excretion (e.g. birds)
- Seeds sticking to fur
- Exploding seeds
- Seeds stored by hibernating animals
What is pollination?
The transfer of pollen grains from the stamen to the stigma and egg
What are 5 examples of pollinators?
- Bees
- Wasps
- Hummingbirds
- Bats
- Butterflies
How do beavers provide habitats for other species?
Beavers are a keystone species and build dams which influence lake/river habitats
How can predation be beneficial for a species?
Natural selection occurs and removes less advantageous characteristics from a population
What are the 4 examples of threats to the global bee population?
- Intensive farming
- Nicotine-based insecticides
- Habitat loss
- Changes in agricultural techniques
How do nicotine-based insecticides threaten the global bee population?
Insecticides such as neonicotinoids act as toxins to bees and negatively affects their co-ordination
How is wildlife important for soil maintenance?
- Death and decay provide nutrients to the soil allowing for nutrient cycling to take place
- Detritivores and decomposers break down DOM which binds the soil
