Unit 3 - AOS 1 - CH - Legal & social mechanisms for biodiversity conservation

Question 1

List the INTERNATIONAL legislation and policies

Answer 1

• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
• International Union for Conservation of Nature. (IUCN Red list)
• World heritage convention

Question 2

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) - What is it? and how does it work?

Answer 2

INTERNATIONAL

WHAT IS IT?
- Purpose: ensure wild flora & fauna not exploited unsustainably
- Administrated by United Nationas Enviro Program
- Deals with international trade of certain species.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
- Regulates export/import -> live, dead plants/animals/parts
- Permits are only issued if certain conditions met
- Countries that are signatories to CITES must:
. Designate a Managment & scientific authority
. Prohibit trade of specimens in violation of the convention
. Allow for confiscation of specimens illegally traded/possessed.

Question 3

Adv/Dis - Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)

Answer 3

ADVANTAGES:
- Effective & consistent
- International
- Helps species conservation
- Detects & deters international trade that threatens species.

DISADVANATGES:
- Not all countries are signatories = not bound by decisions
- Illegal trading, poaching & smuggling
- CITES allows exemptions to rules for genuine scientific research

Question 4

International Union for Conservation of Nature. (IUCN Red list) - What is it? and Goals?

Answer 4

INTERNATIONAL

HOW DOES IT WORK?
- Assigns conservation status - classifies risk of extinction confronting a taxon
- Has devised a global system to award conservation status to species
- Utilises data by scientists

GOALS?
- Analyse trends, status & threats to species to catalyse action to biodiversity conservation.
To achieve this goal -> establish baseline (monitor the change in species status), provide global context for establishment of conservation

Question 5

World heritage convention - What is it?

Answer 5

INTERNATIONAL

WHAT IS IT?
- Cultural and natural heritage -> conserve for future gen.
. Cultural: monuments, paintings
. Natural: geological, ecological & biological processes and important habitats for biodiversity cons.
- 1974 Aus signed
- UNESCO (UN ENVIRO THINGY) work with countries to identify World heritage sites & ensure safe keeping for future generations.
Natural sites: biodiversity ^ by restricting changes allows to ecosystem & decrease exploitation of species in that area.

Question 6

List the DOMESTIC legislation and policies

Answer 6

• Environmental Protection & biodiversity Cons. Act 1999 (CWLTH) -> EP-BCA
• Flora & Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (VIC) ->FFGA

Question 7

Environmental Protection & biodiversity Cons. Act 1999 (CWLTH) - What is it? and Recovery plans?

Answer 7

DOMESTIC - NATIONAL (AUS)

WHAT IS IT?
- Aus gov central piece of enviro legislation
- Legal framework to protect & manage nationally & internationally important flora & fauna, ecological communities and heritage places.
- legal framework & decision-making process based on guiding principles of ecologically sustainable development -> at NATIONAL LEVEL

RECOVERY PLANS?
- When listed = LEGAL PROTECTION***
- Research & management actions (aims) = Maximise long-term survival in wild of threatened species.

Question 8

Flora & Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (VIC) - What is it? & Action statements?

Answer 8

DOMESTIC - LOCAL

WHAT IS IT?
- Vic gov -> recognise & manage process that lead to extinction
- Involves maintaining genetic diversity, habitats and endangered species
- Provides - managements systems, controls and regulations, programs for community education, assistance to help conserve.

Question 9

Action statements? ->Flora & Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (VIC)

Answer 9

ACTION STATEMENTS:
- Once item list on Action Statement MUST be prepared by Department of enviro, land, water and planning. = LEGAL PROTECTION
Includes: background info, what has been done and what will be done to conserve species.

Question 10

Vic’s bioregional strategy -> Flora & Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (VIC)

Answer 10

VICS BIOREGIONAL STRATEGY
- Bioregional approach = divides vic into 21 terrestrial regions & 5 aquatic -> recognise diversity in flora & fauna and range of ecological processes.
- Use of regions allows development of specific management strategies -> reflect underlying enviro features of each region.

Question 11

Local governments conservation Covenants -> Flora & Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (VIC)

Answer 11

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CONSERVATION COVENANTS
- Implement states planning laws (biodiversity must be considered in planning decisions)
- Responsible for implementing management plans for biodiversity conservation.
Conservation Covenants = written agreements entered into to protect, preserve & often enhance enviro features on private property.