TOPIC 3 Flashcards
Charismatic species/flagship species (definition)
Species that may be deemed marketable for publicity’s sake and then used to promote the protection of an area, thus protecting many other species.
Mass extinction causes (list of 4_
-Tectonic plate movements
-super-volcanic eruption
-climatic changes (including drought and ice ages)
-meteorite impact (rip the dinosaurs)
Mantle (of the earth)
Molten rock between the core and the Earth’s surface
Habitat/wildlife corridors (definition and examples)
These are zones which link together protected areas. They can increase the EFFECTIVE SIZE of the habitat available to an organism.
-May be a physical bridge or simply wildlife friendly zones, like a hedge.
Endemic
Native or restricted to a particular area.
Biogeography
The study of the distribution of species and their evolution in relation to geographical distribution.
Evolution
Is a gradual change in the genetic character of populations over many generations, achieved largely through the mechanism of natural selection
Causes of isolation of population (list of 5)
BARRIERS such as:
-mountain formation
-changes in rivers
-sea level change
-climatic change
-plate movements
Factors for the ICUN Red List (list of 8)
-population size
-degree of specialisation
-distribution
-reproductive potential and behaviour
-geographic range and degree of fragmentation
-quality of habitat
-trophic level
-probability of extinction
Natural selection stages (4 stages)
- VARIATION exists and there is OVERPRODUCTION so there is COMPETITION for resources
- Some individuals are thus FITTER (best-suited to the niche) than others
- Fitter individuals REPRODUCE more SUCCESSFULLY
- Offspring inherit GENES that give ADVANTAGE
Natural selection (definition + subdefinition)
An evolution driving force, also known as survival of the fittest.
-fittest means best-suited to the niche in this context
Comparing effectiveness of conservation organisation (list of 5 things to compare)
-Use of media
-speed of response
-diplomatic constraints
-finfancial resources
-political influence
Ecological arguments for preservation (list of 3)
-trophic cascades
-food chain effects
-ecosystem services (water cycles, flood protection)
Speciation
The formation of NEW SPECIES when populations of a species become ISOLATED and evolve DIFFERENTLY from other populations
Conservation approaches (list of 3)
-Habitat conservation
-Species conservatino
-Mixed approach
Threatened (definition)
Umbrella term for Critically Endangered, Endangered, and Vulnerable species.
Habitat diversity
Habitat diversity referes to the range of different habitats in an ecosystem or biome
Extinct
No longer survives on eArth
Edge effects
the effects of human impact around the
boundaries of a protected area. The idea is
to reduce the amount of “edge” therefore a
circle is the optimal shape
Economic arguments for preservation (list of 3)
-ecotourism
-financial benefits of bioprospecting
-value to humanity of ecosystem services
Invasive species (definition and example)
A species not native to an area which is causing a problem to local species.
-e.g., foxes, rabbits, wild dogs, in Australia
Biodiversity (definition and types)
The total diversity of living systems.
-Species diversity
-Habitat diversity
-Genetic diversity
Captive breeding programs (2 points)
-Designed to save and breed what individuals survive, ideally for subsequent release back into the wild.
-In extreme situations, the species may be extinct in the wild
Designing protected areas criteria (list)
-size
-shape
-edge effects
-corridors
-proximity to potential human influence
Geomorphology
The study of the shapes of the Earth’s surface
Crust (of the earth)
The cooled rock that floats on the mantle, divided into tectonic plates
NGOs (examples)
-Non-governmental organisations
International: WWF, Greenpeace
Community-based: Palani Hills Conservation Council, Vatakanal Trust
Disjunct distribution (definition and example)
When one species or sister species are distributed in two very different locations.
-e.g., Monk seals, found in Mediterranean, Hawai’i, and Caribbean
Causes of tropical deforestation (list 5)
-over-intensive shifting cultivation
-timber extraction
-overcollection of fuelwood for cooking and heating and making charcoal
-encroachment and celarance by landless peasant farmers
-clearance for pasture or crops, promoted by CHEAP LAND and GOVERNMENT TAX and FINCANCIAL INCENTIVES to encourage international investment (includes biofuels like palm oil and sugar cane)
2010 Biodiversity Convention
To achieve, by 2010, a significant reduction of the CURRENT RATE OF BIODIVERSITY LOSS at global, regional, and national level as a contribution to POVERTY ALLEVIATION and to the benefit of all life on Earth.
Governmental Organisations (in conservation)
E.G., UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme)
The value from seeing and enjoying beauty
Aesthetic arguments for preservationB
Paleontology
The study of fossils
Species diversity
The product of TWO VARIABLES:
-the number of species (RICHNESS)
-their relative proportions (EVENNESS)
Precautionary principal
Where there is a threat of SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION OR LOSS of biological diversity, lack of FULL SCIENTIFIC CERTAINTY should not be used as a reason for POSTPONING MEASURES to avoid or minimise such a threat
Plume (of the earth)
Location where a column of MAGMA rises up to the surface (NOT associated with plate boundaries)
Ratites
Ostrich-like birds that share a common ancestor, including: rhea, emu, kiwi, cassowary, extinct elephant birds and moa
Genetic diversity
Genetic diversity refers to the range of genetic material present in a population of a species
Ethical arguments for preservation (list of 2)
-intrinsic value of species
-utilitarian value of species
Adaptive radiation (definition + example)
A group of closely-related species that have rapidly evolved from one common ancestor, usually on islands where empty niches exist
-e.g., Darwin finches in the Galapagos Archipelago
Species and habitat preservation arguments (list of 5)
-aesthetic
-ecological
-economic
-ethical
-social reasons
C.I.T.E.S. (acronym and aim)
-Convention in International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
-Aims to prevent species threatened with extinction because of international treae.
-Parties act by BANNING commercial international trade in an agreed list of endangered species (Appendix I of CITES), and REGULATING AND MONITORING trade in others that might be endangered (APPENDIX II) or whose trade needs to be regulated to ensure CONTROL over trade in Appendix I species
Aesphenosphere (2 points)
-The upper part of the earth’s mantle
-Acts like a molten plastic
Social arguments for preservation (2 points)
-The rights of particular groups of people who believe they have a cultural right to the preservation of some land.
-Some religions and societies ascribe value to the Earth and thus prioritise its protection.
Plate tectonics impact on evolution
Tectonic plates have moved over time, leading to the creation of LAND BRIDGES and PHYSICAL BARRIERS (mountains etc) with EVOLUTIONARY CONSEQUENCES
Human activities causing species extinction (list of 7)
-habitat destruction
-introduction of invasive species
-pollution
-overharvesting
-hunting
-climate change
Natural Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP)
-the STRATEGY is how a country INTENDS to fulfill the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
-The National Biodiversity Action Plan comprises the CONCRETE ACTIONS to be taken to achieve the GOALS of the STRATEGY
Keystone species (definition and examples)
They maintain the STRUCTURE and INTEGRITY of an ecological community. They have a much LARGER influence on community STRUCTURE than other species.
-e.g., starfish, sea otters
Reintroduction programs (2 points)
-Following CAPTIVE BREEDING, a species may be released into the wild to FORM or SUPPLEMENT a wild population.
-This sort of programme will only work if the reason for the organism’s extinction NO LONGER EXISTS
Extinct in the wild
Only survives in zoos or botanic gardens
Biodiversity hotspot
Biogeographic region that is both a SIGNIFICANT RESERVOIR of biodiversity and is THREATENED with DESTRUCTION
Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD)
First signed in Rio at Earth Summit (1992) and uses and ECOSYSTEM APPROACH (integrated strategy for MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES)
