methods for maintaining biodiversity

conservation

preservation and careful management of the environment and of natural resources

conserving natural habitat - organisms' chances of survival maintained - allow them to reproduce - species and genetic diversity safeguarded

ex situ conservation

in situ conservation

within the natural habitat

out of the natural habitat

sustainable development

economic development that meets the needs of people today, without limiting the ability of future generations to meet their needs

in situ conservation

ex situ conservation

maintains genetic diversity of species and evolutionary adaptations that enable species to adapt continually to changing environmental conditions e.g. changes in pest populations or climate

endangered species interacting with other species - preserves interdependent relationships present in a habitat - preserves interlinked species

generally cheaper than ex situ conservation

wildlife reserves

marine conservation zones

controlled grazing

restricting human access

controlling poaching

feeding animals

reintroduction of species

culling or removal of invasive species

halting succession

allowing livestock to graze only on a particular area of land for a certain period of time - allow species to recover OR keep controlled number of animals in a habitat to maintain it

creating defences to prevent access, issuing fines or drastic measures e.g. removing rhino horns

ensures more organisms survive to reproductive age

adding species to areas that have become locally extinct or whose numbers have decreased significantly

invasive species - organism not native to an area and has negative effects on the economy, environment or health, they compete with native species for resources

succession - natural process where early colonising species are replaced over time until a stable mature population is achieved e.g. piece of land turning into woodland over time, which can be prevented by controlled grazing

e.g. not allowing access to beach during seal reproductive season or providing paths to prevent plants being trampled

vital in preserving species-rich areas e.g. coral reefs - being devastated by non-sustainable fishing methods

does not prevent fishermen from visiting entire area - creates areas of refuge where populations can build up and repopulate adjacent areas

botanic gardens

plant species actively managed - provided with best resources to grow e.g. soil nutrients, sufficient watering and removal of pests

many wild relatives of selectively bred crop species under-represented amongst conserved species - potential source of genes for resistance to diseases, pests and parasites

seed banks

store of genetic material - seeds stored so new plants may be grown in the future

back up against extinction of wild plants

seeds stored for future reintroduction and research, breeding and genetic engineering

don't work for all plants - some seeds die when dried and frozen e.g. most tropical rainforest tree seeds

captive breeding programmes

produce offspring of species in a human-controlled environment

often run and managed by zoos and aquatic centres

several species solely represented by animals in captivity

aim to create stable, healthy population of a species then gradually introduce the species back into its natural habitat

provide animals with shelter, abundant supply of nutritious food, absence of predators and veterinary treatment

suitable breeding partners imported from other zoos if not available within the zoo

hard to maintain genetic biodiversity

only small number of breeding partners available - inbreeding problems can occur

overcome by maintaining an international catalogue - detailing genealogical data on individuals

mating arranged to ensure genetic diversity is maximised

e.g. artificial insemination, embryo transfer, long-term cryogenic storage of embryos

allows new genetic lines to be introduced without transporting adults to new locations

some organisms born in captivity not suitable for release into the wild

diseases

behaviour

genetic races

habitat

loss of resistance to local diseases in captive-bred populations

new diseases may exist in the wild which captive animals may not have developed resistance to

much behaviour has to be learned through copying or experience

genetic make-up of captive animals can be so different from original population that the two cannot interbreed

natural habitat must first be restored to allow captive populations to be reintroduced

e.g. food is hidden in cages so animals learn to look for it

small suitable habitats may support maximum number of individuals already - introducing new individuals can lead to stress and tension as organisms fight for limited territory and food

conservation agreements

International Union for the Conservation of Nature

countryside stewardship scheme

The Rio Convention

publishes red list once a year - shows current conservation status of threatened animals

countries work together to conserve these species

assist in securing agreements between nations

involved in establishment of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)

regulates international trade of wild plant and animal specimens and their products

trade of wild animals and plants crosses borders between countries - requires international cooperation to regulate it

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) - requires countries to develop national strategies for sustainable development to ensure maintainance of biodiversity

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) - agreement between nations to take steps to stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations within the atmosphere

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) - aims to prevent transformation of fertile land into desert and reduce effects of drought through programmes of international cooperation

offered governmental payments to farmers and other land managers to enhance and conserve the English landscape

make conservation a part of normal farming and land management process

  1. sustain beauty and diversity of landscape
  1. restore neglected land and conserve archaeological and historic features
  1. improve opportunities for countryside enjoyment
  1. improve, extend and create wildlife habitats