Conservation and Biodiversity

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Conservation and Biodiversity

• 4.3 Conservation of biodiversity

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Assessment Statements

• 4.3.1 State the arguments for preserving species
  and habitats.
• 4.3.2 Compare and contrast the role and
  activities of intergovernmental and
  non-governmental organizations in preserving and
  restoring ecosystems and biodiversity.
• 4.3.3 State and explain the criteria used to
  design protected areas.
• 4.3.4 Evaluate the success of a named protected
  area.
• 4.3.5 Discuss and evaluate the strengths and
  weaknesses of the species-based approach to
  conservation

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4.3.1 State the arguments for preserving species
and habitats.

• Forests are valuable for
• Producing sustainable resources (timber, food,
  medicine)
• Reducing land damage (Soil erosion,
  sedimentation, and flooding
• Maintaining oxygen/carbon dioxide balance by
  reducing carbon dioxide therefore reducing global
  warming
• Maintaining biodiversity (habitat complexity,
  niche availability, and number of species)
• Providing freshwater(filtration)

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4.3.1 State the arguments for preserving species
and habitats.

• Biodiversity is valuable for
• Ecosystem productivity (ecosystems work best when
  diverse)
• Environmental indicators (help identify changes
  in ecosystems)
• Scientific reasons (Many species undiscovered)
• Education (Biodiversity is a wealth of knowledge)
• Genetic Diversity (Once a species is lost, so is
  its adaptations.)
• Recreation (Money for local economy)
• Human Rights(Indigenous home)

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4.3.2 Compare and contrast the role and
activities of intergovernmental and
non-governmental organizations in preserving and
restoring ecosystems and biodiversity.

• Non-government organizations are not run by,
  funded by, or influenced by governments of any
  country (Greenpeace, World Wildlife Fund for
  Nature)
• Intergovernmental Organizations are bodies
  established through international agreements to
  protect the environment and help governments work
  together on an international scale (United
  Nations Environment Programme (UNEP),
  International Union for Conservation of
  Nature(IUCN))

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4.3.2 Compare and contrast the role and
activities of intergovernmental and
non-governmental organizations in preserving and
restoring ecosystems and biodiversity.

• GOs (UNEP, IUCN)
• Use of Media- Prepared statements, international
  news clips and informative videos
• Speed of Response- Fairly slow many
  constituents, and legal requirements
• Diplomatic constraints- Must consult lawyers for
  opinions, international disagreements can cause
  constraints
• Political Influence- Great, direct access to
  governments
• Enforceability- Through international agreements
  and laws.

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4.3.2 Compare and contrast the role and
activities of intergovernmental and
non-governmental organizations in preserving and
restoring ecosystems and biodiversity.

• IUCN created the World Conservation Strategy in
  1980 with the objectives of
• Maintain ecological processes or life support
  systems
• Preserve genetic diversity
• Ensure sustainable utilization of species and
  ecosystems

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4.3.2 Compare and contrast the role and
activities of intergovernmental and
non-governmental organizations in preserving and
restoring ecosystems and biodiversity.

• NGOs (WWF, Greenpeace)
• Use of Media- Advertise on TV, video protests,
  press packs, leaflets and events
• Speed of Response- Can be rapid and regular,
  independent organizations
• Diplomatic constraints- work with non-profit
  outfits, outside politics activities may be
  illegal, often discouraged
• Political Influence- No direct influence, but may
  establish concern
• Enforceability- Rely on public pressure

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4.3.3 State and explain the criteria used to
design protected areas.

• Protected Area Criteria
• Edge Effects Edge of protected area may have
  different abiotic factors attracting species not
  found deeper in the reserve.
• Size One Large vs. Several small allows for
  large populations and biodiversity. Enables
  protection of large vertebrates/top carnivores.
  Less edge effects.
• Shape Should be a circle for less edge effects
  and poaching
• Buffer zone to minimize disturbance.

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4.3.3 State and explain the criteria used to
design protected areas.

• If multiple, should be close together and have
  corridors to help recolonize if necessary, allow
  for movement and migration.
• Should not have roads acting as barriers to
  migration and increase disturbance and edge
  effects.
• However corridors can lead to species breeding
  outside protected area, invasion of pests or
  diseases, poachers can easily move about, narrow
  corridors increase edge effects, corridors can
  become barriers if protected by fences

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4.3.5 Discuss and evaluate the strengths and
weaknesses of the species-based approach to
conservation

• Convention on International Trade in Endangered
  Species (CITES) Pros Does deter trade in these
  species
• Cons Voluntary, and penalties may not be
  sufficient
• Zoos- Pros Education, controlled environment,
  genetic monitoring, improved reproductive
  success, higher chance to survive to adulthood,
  can hold species while habitat restored
• Cons Narrowed gene pool, may be unable to adapt
  back to the wild, people object to captive
  animals for profit

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4.3.5 Discuss and evaluate the strengths and
weaknesses of the species-based approach to
conservation

• The species-based approach to conservation
  involves the conservation of high profile,
  charismatic species to catch public interest both
  nationally and internationally.
• Advantages saving a named species means
  preserving the animals habitat and this benefits
  all other organisms in that habitat.
• Disadvantages it favors charismatic organisms
  and is less successful in saving small
  undistinguished species. A species can be
  preserved in a zoo, while its habitat is not.