Biodiversity, Preservation and Conservation - Maintaining Biodiversity

Question 1

define conservation

Answer 1

the maintenance of biodiversity through human action or management

Question 2

what may conservation involve

Answer 2

• sustainable development
• reclamation (restoring destroyed or damaged ecosystems)

Question 3

what must conservation maintain

Answer 3

diversity in habitats, species and genetics within a species

Question 4

define preservation

Answer 4

the protection of an area by restricting or banning human interference, so that the ecosystem is kept in its original state

Question 5

give examples of preservation

Answer 5

• set aside areas in nature reserves
• “no take zones” in seas

Question 6

define in situ conservation

Answer 6

protecting species in their natural habitat

Question 7

define ex situ conservation

Answer 7

protecting a species by removing individuals from a threatened habitat and looking after them in a new area

Question 8

give examples of in situ conservation

Answer 8

• protected areas
• controlling invasive species
• legal protection of endangered species
• feeding animals
• reducing pollution

Question 9

give examples of ex situ conservation

Answer 9

• zoos
• captive breeding programmes
• seedbanks
• botanic gardens

Question 10

in situ: what are the principles for choosing a wildlife reserve or marine conservation zones

Answer 10

• comprehensiveness (how many endangered, keystone species?)
• adequacy (is area large enough to ensure long-term survival?)
• representativeness (full range of diversity?)

Question 11

what are the advantages of in situ conservation

Answer 11

• plants and animals remain in their natural environment
• preserves interdependent relationships
• permanently protects biodiversity and ecosystem by maintaining genetic diversity
• facilitates scientific research
• generally cheaper

Question 12

what are the problems with in situ conservation

Answer 12

• endangered habitats may be fragmented (area too small for survival)
• population may have already lost much of its genetic diversity
• endangering conditions may still be present
• area can attract poachers or tourists
• conflict with local people can arise

Question 13

what kind of conflict with local people can arise

Answer 13

• protected animals raid crops
• people continue to hurt animals/harvest plants
• tourists feed animals/leave litter

Question 14

what are the advantages of ex situ conservation of animals

Answer 14

• organisms are protected from predation and poaching
• organisms are bred to increase number of species
• health monitored
• populations can be divided (spreads risk)
• genetic diversity can be maintained through selective breeding and monitoring
• artificial insemination and embryo transplants can ensure reproductive success

Question 15

what do conservation sites provide an opportunity for

Answer 15

• research
• education
• tourism
• fundraising

Question 16

what are the problems with ex situ conservation of animals

Answer 16

• captive breeding is expensive
• behaviour is altered as often behaviour is learnt from individuals in the wild
• gene pool is reduced due to smaller population
• different selection pressures lead to different alleles being selected for

Question 17

what are the problems with behaviour being altered by ex situ conservation

Answer 17

• failure to breed successfully
• unsuccessful reintroduction as animals have not learnt necessary behaviours

Question 18

what are the problems with different alleles being selected for in ex situ conservation

Answer 18

• problems with interbreeding with wild organisms
• lack of disease resistance