11.8 - Methods of maintaining biodiversity

Question 1

What is conservation?

Answer 1

Conservation is the preservation and careful management of the environment and natural resources to maintain biodiversity.

Question 2

What are the two main types of conservation?

Answer 2

1. In situ conservation (within the natural habitat)
2. Ex situ conservation (outside the natural habitat)

Question 3

What are the four categories used to classify species for conservation purposes?

Answer 3

1. Extinct – No individuals exist anywhere in the world.
2. Extinct in the wild – Only exist in captivity.
3. Endangered – At risk of extinction.
4. Vulnerable – Likely to become endangered in the near future.

Question 4

What is sustainable development?

Answer 4

Economic development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Question 5

What is in situ conservation?

Answer 5

Conservation that takes place inside an organism’s natural habitat, preserving genetic diversity and interdependent relationships within ecosystems.

Question 6

Why is in situ conservation important?

Answer 6

It maintains genetic diversity, allows species to adapt to changing conditions, and is generally cheaper than ex situ conservation.

Question 7

What are some examples of in situ conservation areas?

Answer 7

Wildlife reserves, marine conservation zones, and national parks.

Question 8

What are some active management techniques used in wildlife reserves?

Answer 8

Controlled grazing to allow plant species to recover.

Restricting human access to sensitive areas.

Controlled poaching prevention through barriers and laws.

Feeding animals to increase survival rates.

Reintroduction of species that have disappeared from the area.

Removal of invasive species that compete with native species.

Halting succession to preserve certain ecosystems (e.g., heathlands).

Question 9

What is succession, and how is it managed in conservation?

Answer 9

Succession is the natural process where early colonizing species are replaced over time until a stable ecosystem is formed. It is managed through controlled grazing to maintain specific habitats.

Question 10

Why are marine conservation zones important?

Answer 10

They protect species-rich areas like coral reefs, provide refuge for fish populations, and help replenish nearby fishing areas.

Question 11

What is ex situ conservation?

Answer 11

Conservation that involves removing organisms from their natural habitat to protect and breed them in controlled environments.

Question 12

What are examples of ex situ conservation?

Answer 12

Botanic gardens, seed banks, and captive breeding programs.

Question 13

How do botanic gardens contribute to conservation?

Answer 13

They cultivate plant species under optimal conditions, protecting genetic diversity and preserving species that may be lost in the wild.

Question 14

What is a seed bank?

Answer 14

A gene bank that stores seeds at low temperatures to preserve their viability for future growth and biodiversity protection.

Question 15

Why are seed banks important?

Answer 15

They provide a backup against species extinction and preserve plant genetic material for agriculture and medicine.

Question 16

What are the limitations of seed banks?

Answer 16

Some seeds, especially from tropical rainforest trees, cannot survive drying and freezing.

Question 17

What is a captive breeding program?

Answer 17

A program that breeds endangered species in controlled environments to increase their population and potentially reintroduce them into the wild.

Question 18

What are the main challenges of captive breeding programs?

Answer 18

Limited genetic diversity due to a small breeding population.

Inbreeding problems.

Captive-bred animals may struggle to survive in the wild.

Question 19

How do scientists maintain genetic diversity in captive breeding?

Answer 19

By using techniques such as artificial insemination, embryo transfer, and cryogenic storage of embryos.

Question 20

Why might some captive-bred animals not be suitable for release?

Answer 20

Diseases from captivity could spread to wild populations.

Behavioral issues may make survival difficult.

Genetic differences from wild populations.

Loss of natural habitat may make reintroduction impossible.

Question 21

Why are international conservation agreements important?

Answer 21

Many species cross national borders, requiring global cooperation to protect habitats and prevent extinction.

Question 22

What is the role of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)?

Answer 22

It secures international conservation agreements and publishes the Red List of threatened species.

Question 23

What is CITES, and what does it do?

Answer 23

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) regulates the trade of endangered plants and animals to prevent overexploitation.

Question 24

How many species are protected under CITES?

Answer 24

Over 35,000 species of animals and plants.

Question 25

What was the Earth Summit, and why was it significant?

Answer 25

A 1992 meeting of 172 nations in Rio de Janeiro that resulted in key agreements on biodiversity, climate change, and desertification.

Question 26

What are the three main agreements of the Rio Convention?

Answer 26

1. Convention on Biological Diversity – Ensures countries develop strategies to protect biodiversity. 2. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – Aims to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations. 3. United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) – Prevents land degradation and desertification.

Question 27

What was the Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS)?

Answer 27

A UK government initiative (1991–2014) that paid farmers and landowners to conserve and enhance the English landscape.

Question 28

What were the main goals of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme?

Answer 28

Preserve landscape beauty and diversity. Improve and extend wildlife habitats. Restore neglected land and conserve historical sites. Enhance public enjoyment of the countryside.

Question 29

What replaced the Countryside Stewardship Scheme?

Answer 29

The Environmental Stewardship Scheme, which continues to support conservation in farming practices.

Question 30

What is the main advantage of in situ conservation over ex situ conservation?

Answer 30

It maintains the natural environment, allowing species to evolve naturally and interact with their ecosystem.

Question 31

What are the main threats that conservation efforts aim to mitigate?

Answer 31

Habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, poaching, overfishing, and invasive species.

Question 32

Why is restricting human access important in conservation?

Answer 32

It prevents habitat disturbance, protects breeding sites, and reduces human impact on ecosystems.

Question 33

How do marine conservation zones help replenish fish stocks?

Answer 33

By providing safe breeding and nursery areas, allowing populations to recover and spread to surrounding waters.

Question 34

What is a gene bank?

Answer 34

A facility that stores genetic material, such as seeds, embryos, or DNA samples, to preserve genetic diversity for future use.

Question 35

What are some techniques used to prevent inbreeding in captive breeding programs?

Answer 35

Artificial insemination, embryo transfer, genetic databases, and international cooperation to exchange genetic material.

Question 36

How do scientists test the viability of seeds stored in seed banks?

Answer 36

By periodically removing samples, germinating them, and checking their growth and health.

Question 37

What is overexploitation, and how does it impact biodiversity?

Answer 37

The excessive use of natural resources (e.g., overfishing, deforestation) that leads to population declines and ecosystem damage.

Question 38

Why do some species struggle to survive after being reintroduced to the wild?

Answer 38

They may lack survival skills, face habitat changes, struggle to find food, or be at risk from predators.

Question 39

How do humans benefit from biodiversity conservation?

Answer 39

It supports ecosystem services such as clean air, water purification, climate regulation, and food production.

Question 40

What role do national parks play in conservation?

Answer 40

They provide legal protection for ecosystems, preserve wildlife, and promote sustainable tourism.

Question 41

How does deforestation impact biodiversity?

Answer 41

It destroys habitats, reduces species populations, disrupts ecosystems, and contributes to climate change.

Question 42

What is ecological restoration?

Answer 42

The process of repairing ecosystems that have been degraded, damaged, or destroyed.

Question 43

What are ecosystem services, and why are they important?

Answer 43

Natural processes provided by ecosystems, such as pollination, soil fertility, and carbon storage, which benefit humans and wildlife.