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4.2.1 Conservation and Biodiversity (Ex-situ conservation (Seed banks…
4.2.1 Conservation and Biodiversity
Maintaining biodiversity
Economical reasons
regulation of atmosphere and climate
fresh water sources
fertilisation of soil
recycling of nutrients
crop pollination
discovery of medicines
food production
soil depletion: the loss of soil fertility caused by the removal of minerals by continuous cropping
prevent natural disasters: e.g. there is higher rates of flooding where there is deforestation
Ecological reasons
interdependence: prevent keystone species from going extinct so that the ecosystem is in balance; may be plants or animals; a lot of organisms rely on these species for survival
genetic resource: genetic biodiversity must be maintained as some plants have evolved over many years to become resistant to disease and climate, genetic engineering can use these genes; many potential medicines yet to be found in plants or bacteria;
Aesthetic reasons
protecting landscapes
protect exotic animals
Ethical reasons
everything has a right to live
humans created the problem so they should solve it
Keystone species: one that has a disproportional effect upon its environment relative to its abundance
Conservation Organisations
CSS
Countryside Stewardship Scheme
beauty improved of countryside; public access; restore landscapes; looking after wildlife and habitats
CITES
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
monitor international trade in certain plants and animals; no illegal trading; must have permits; commercial trading of endangered species prohibited
IUCN
International Union for Conservation of Nature
value and conserve nature; red list all animals and plants to see which are more worth conserving and protecting
CBD
Convention on Biological Biodiversity
promote sustainable development; conserve biodiversity; shared access of genetic resources
Conservation: the protection, preservation, management, or restoration of natural environments and the ecological communities that inhabit them.
Ex-situ conservation
Zoos
modern reproductive techniques e.g. IVF, artificial insemination, embryo transfer
captive breeding
Botanic gardens
seeds are collected from wild plants; stored then germinated
however fewer people are willing to support wild plants than animals
collected samples may not have the right amount of genetic diversity; a disease could wipe all of them out as they are not adapted
seeds stored for a long time may not be viable
conditions to grow the plants may not be right
Seed banks
seeds are collected harmlessly from wild plants and stored so they remain viable
freezing/cold conditions
lack of moisture/dry environment
have seeds for every plant so if it becomes extinct, there is always a source
some plants have medicinal properties so are economically useful
germination tests; seeds are germinated and plants grow, so new seeds can be collecte
conservation outside the normal habitat of the species
Advantages of ex situ conservation
organisms protected from predators and poaching
health can be monitored and medical assistance given
divided population means if disaster/disease strikes one population, the other isn't affected
genetic diversity can be measured and encouraged; selective breeding; prevent inbreeding and have a large gene pool
increase chance of reproductive success
can be used for education and enjoyment; people can learn about endangered species and want to support them
Disadvantages of ex situ conservation
limited genetic diversity as it is a captive population
animals exposed to different diseases that they are not used to in the wild, so will not be adapted
living outside natural habitat causes stress in animals; unhappy animals means unnatural behaviour and less chance of reproductive success
nutritional issues of animals are hard to manage effectively
correct environmental conditions are hard to acheive
reintroduction to the wild may be unsuccessful as animals are not used to having predators/ hunting/ finding their own food; existing wild members may not accept them
Captive breeding
existing members of the endangered species are captured and bought into captivity
members are bred; use a studbook to increase genetic diversity and prevent inbreeding; use natural or artificial techniques
once there are sufficient numbers, the animals may be reintroduced to the wild; repopulation
In-situ conservation
Wildlife reserves: areas set aside for the conservation of species or habitats
comprehensiveness: number of different species; environmental conditions
adequacy: large enough to provide for the long term survival of organisms present
representativeness: range of diversity within species and habitats
Problems: hunting if wild animals destroy agricultural crops; poaching; illegal harvesting of trees; tourist activity; conflict with indigenous tribes already present
National Parks: 15 in UK; conserve large areas of biodiversity and beautiful landscapes
National Nature Reserves: ~400 in UK; protect sensitive ecosystems and for education and research
Sites of Special Scientific Interest: ~6000 in UK; smaller areas that are there to protect specific organisms or features of an ecosystem
Local Nature Reserves: run by local people, not the government
Marine Conservation Zones: ~27 around UK; areas of the sea set aside to conserve the diversity of species and habitats
carrying out active management to maintain the biodiversity in the natural environment
legislation; stopping or limiting hunting, poaching, logging etc. in these areas; however can be hard is government or locals are not in favour of it
Advantages of in situ conservation
plants and animals conserved in their natural environment; are already adapted and are used to it
permanently protects biodiversity and the environment as the root problem is usually solved
permanently protects cultural and natural heritage
areas can be managed to make sure resources are used sustainably
facilitates scientific research
can improve the area in terms of ecological integrity
don't have to transport animals/ plants out of their habitat
Disadvantages of in situ conservation
endangered habitats may become fragmented; small areas are not sustainable enough to support larger populations
population may have already lost a lot of its genetic diversity; unsustainable for the future; higher rates of inbreeding
habitat conditions that caused low biodiversity may still be present so efforts will be wasted
Sammer Sheikh