Topic 25: Biodiversity Conservation Flashcards

1
Q

Biodiversity

A

The variability among living organisms from all sources

Diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems

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2
Q

Values of biodiversity

A

Direct use values of species for hunting, new crops, new genes, drugs

Bioprospecting- providing info such as new drugs

Aesthetics and non-use values

Ecosystem services

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3
Q

Bioprospecting

A

Organisms able to synthesised chemicals that might provide blueprint for future drugs

Gives value for protecting areas of high biodiversity

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4
Q

Aesthetic and non-use values

A

Evidence from numerous contingent valuation and choice experiment that biodiversity is valued simply for itself

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5
Q

Noah’s library metaphor

A

Metaphor to explain problem of choosing which species to preserve

Consider species as if library full of books. Each book is gene. Common books (genes) housed in many libraries (species), others in only one

Resources can be used to protect libraries and reduce probability of destruction by fire, but at cost. Problem: how should the fire-fighting resources be distributed amongst different libraries

2 attributes: the building (phenotype of species) and info contained within it (genes).

We value the species for its aesthetic appeal or its value. May value the books (genes) for diversity they bring to species or may place utilitarian value upon them from ideas they may contain for future medicines and food crops

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6
Q

Biodiversity a public good

A

-> prone to market failure

Tropical nations that host most of biodiversity want to develop through agricultural expansion

Developed world would like to conserve biodiversity

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7
Q

National and local policy

A

National parks

Contracts with land owners

Payments for ecosystem service schemes

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8
Q

Conservation on private land

A

Land clearing restrictions

Majority of ecosystem loss is on private land

Laws restricting plus incentive schemes

Offsets as an extension to EPBC Act

Covenants

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