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conservation Flashcards

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1
Q

name 7 reasons why conservation is important

A
  • medicines
  • future supply of resources
  • physiological research
  • genetic resources
  • ecosystem services
  • biological control
  • biomimetics
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2
Q

why are medicines a reason why conservation is important

A

plants have valuable medicinal properties and can be used to make drugs to treat diseases and cancers

eg. tropical marine sponges can treat HIV and AIDS
-poppies - for codeine, morphine, painkillers
- yew tree - taxine

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3
Q

why are future supply of resources a reason why conservation is important

A

-plants that are known to be edible but yet still cultivated - potential food source
- animal species currently being hunted
- nature provides fibres, oils, timbers

eg. fibres like cotton, silk, paper
-biofuels - algae, corn, sugar

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4
Q

why is physiological research a reason why conservation is important

A

organisms being research and monitored can help aid the understanding of behaviour and properties of humans

eg. squid’s nerves are similar to ours but wider making them easier to study
- kangaroos give birth at the very early stage of development - helps to understand embryos and unborn babies

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5
Q

why is genetic resources a reason why conservation is important

A

use genetics from plants and animals to breed with other plants and animals for desirable characteristics

eg. sugar cane - sugarcane mosaic protected from wild sugarcane in Indonesia

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6
Q

what is ecosystem services

A

things that nature does that makes conditions more habitable

eg:
- soil maintenance
- seed dispersal
- interspecies relationships (remove 1 = impact all)
- habitat provision eg. coral
- atmospheric conditions eg. transpiration
- biogeochemical cycles (detritivores + decomposers)
- water cycles
- nutrient Cycles

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7
Q

why is biological control a reason why conservation is important

A

living organisms can control the number of pests eg. predators, herbivores, pathogens, parasites etc..

eg. ladybirds used to control of aphids on crops

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8
Q

why is biomimetics a reason for conservation

A

improved man-made systems that mimic biologically produced substances/ mechanisms

eg. the Gherkin building is based off the exoskeleton of a marine sponge

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9
Q

what does EDGE stand for

A

evolutionary distinct and globally endangered species

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10
Q

what does an edge species mean

A

they are a species that have few or no close relatives in the tree of Life, genetically unique

eg. elephants, pandas

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11
Q

what is a flagship species

A

a species that acts as an icon for a specific habitat, a famous well-known species that encourages funding and interest for ecosystem

eg. tigers, elephants, pandas

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12
Q

what is a keystone species

A

an organism that holds an ecosystem together - has a large impact on the ecosystem even in small numbers

eg. wolves, sea otters (+most top predators)

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13
Q

what is an endemic species

A

species only found in one geographical location

eg. koalas, kiwis

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14
Q

what is the IUCN

A

global database of threatened species

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15
Q

what does the IUCN do?

A

-coordinates global data on biodiversity
-increases the understanding of the importance of biodiversity
-deploys nature-based solutions to global challenges in climate, food, and sustainable developments

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16
Q

what are the categories for the IUCN list?

A

least concern, near threatened, vulnerable, endangered, critically endangered, extinct in wild
extinct

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17
Q

why would a species change its IUCN category

A
  • mistake in initial categorizing
  • the main threat is no longer present
  • main threat increases or new threat develops
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18
Q

give an example of a species which changed its IUCN category

A

the white headed vulture - was vulnerable but now is critically endangered as population declined due to poisoning and persecution

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19
Q

name 6 Ways humans influence biodiversity

A
  • Direct exploitation
  • deliberate eradication
  • introduced species
  • habitat destruction
  • change in biotic factors
  • change in abiotic factors
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20
Q

what is direct exploitation and how does it influence biodiversity

A

directly taking +/ exploiting species for specific products:

eg.
- over exploiting food eg. cod, tuna, sharks etc..
- for fashion eg.
fur coats - leopards, tigers, fur seals etc..
leather bags and shoes - crocodiles + alligators
feathers - kingfishers, parrots
- for pets eg. parrots, lizards, snakes, tortoises, tropical fish etc..
- entertainment eg. zoos - marine life eg. orcas, dolphins
- for furniture or ornaments eg.
jewellery from shark teeth
tropical wood eg. mahogany
coral + seashells sold to tourists
- for traditional medicines eg. seahorses believed to treat infidelity, baldness etc..

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21
Q

what is deliberate eradication and how does it influence biodiversity

A

species are killed because they threaten the humans or interfere with human activity:

  • animals that propose threats eg.
    sharks, poisonous snakes etc..
  • pathogens eg. malaria and mosquitoes
  • predators of livestock eg. wolves, Puma, Lions etc.
  • animals that eat crops eg. deer, rabbits
  • agricultural pests eg. insects, fungi, birds
  • forestry pests eg. deer, squirrels, beavers
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22
Q

what are introduced species and how does it influence biodiversity

A

introduced may cause indigenous species to die out:
eg.
- introduced competitors eg. the red and grey squirrel in the UK
- introduced predators eg. ground nesting birds on Oceanic Islands (eg. new zealand) threatened by cats, dogs, rats, pigs etc..
-introduced pathogens eg. tree pathogens brought to the UK eg. Dutch elm disease
- species that hybridize ( a species that is closely related to indigenous species can cross-breed producing fertile hybrids) - natural gene pool changed to unnatural, new added genes eg. red deer threatened by hybridization with sika deer

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23
Q

what is habitat destruction and how does it influence biodiversity

A

human activities that cause complete habitat destruction ( usually due to land use change)

eg. deforestation eg. st helena redwood=extinct
- ploughing of grassland
- Reservoir creation
- mineral extraction
- urban expansion

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24
Q

what is change in biotic factors and how does it influence biodiversity

A

the survival of species is affected by the change in presence or abundance of another species in the habitat

eg.
- pollinators - many species rely on pollination, without them they cannot reproduce eg. bees
- seed dispersal species - animals that disperse seeds (on which plants rely on) are vital and are going endangered eg. elephants, rhinos, hippos etc
- food chain impacts - foods by humans eg. overexploitation of turtle eggs = decline in Turtles - this increases their food species (prey) eg. jellyfish

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25
what is change in abiotic factors and how does it influence biodiversity
human activities alter a habitat - not destroyed but altered/ changed to a point that is outside a species tolerance level ( most likely affects species with specialised habitat requirements eg. coral) eg. - water availability eg. draining areas of Wetlands effects nesting sites for water Birds, Turtles, lizards etc.. -oxygen levels - drops in levels = reduced survival of aerobic organisms ( could be reduced by discharge ing organic wastes (sewage)) - temperature - pH (eg. pollutant gases) - denatures enzymes + harms tissue vulnerable to acid eg. fish eggs, gills .. - water turbidity - physical damage
26
how do CITES do conserve biodiversity
regulate the international trade of endangered species (+ their products) ^^ - doesn't stop hunting but trade, makes hunting less appealing
27
what are the three appendixes of CITES
appendix 1 - list of most endangered species, species currently threatened with extinction, trade only allowed with permit, some exceptions but mostly complete ban on trading appendix 2 - list of species not currently threatened by Extinction but could be if trade is not controlled not complete ban but constrictions eg. only trading certain types, sizes, amounts etc.. still need permit appendix 3 - species not at risk of extinction but trade is unavailable in certain countries eg. if species population in specific country is very small special circumstances
28
what are some examples of species or products protected by CITES
group of mammals protected = primates + Whales + dolphins products of elephants protected = tusks - ivory group of invertebrates protected = coral
29
name a UK law protecting wildlife
wildlife and countryside act
30
what does the wildlife and countryside act include
legal protection: banning damaging activities eg. - bans certain methods of killing or taking wild animals - restrict introduction of certain animals and plants - designation of protected areas eg. SSSIs, NNRs ..
31
name some examples of species protected by the wildlife and countryside act
badgers, native UK birds, birds of prey, bats etc..
32
name 3 types of protected areas in the UK
SSSIs SPAs SACs NNRs MNRs etc..
33
what do some management activities within a protected area in the UK include
-maintaining a plagioclimax eg. controlled burning, grazing, coppicing etc.. - removal of introduced species - fencing off visitors - restricting building development - provision of food sources or nesting sites eg. planting trees - activity restrictions eg. fishing, use of pesticides etc.. - activities in encouraged eg. planting vegetation, coppicing, providing food etc..
34
name some examples of wildlife benefiting from protected areas in the UK
- red squirrel - great crested newt - sand lizard
35
name a type of habitat benefiting from protected areas in the UK
wetlands
36
name an example of a protected area
lundy island (MNR, MPA)
37
what does IWC stand for
international whaling commission
38
what does the IWC aim for
aims to control (not ban) wailing to ensure sustainable exploitation
39
what is involved in the IWC
- total protection of some species - setting limits on numbers allowed to be taken - designated sanctuaries where no wailing can take place - protection for mothers and calves - carrying out research
40
what does CFP stand for
(EU) common Fisheries policy
41
what is the aim of CFP
to ensure sustainable harvesting of fish
42
what are some problems involved with CFP
- quotas set were inappropriate and it failed to prevent the killing of undesired fish - if fish were undersized or the limit of number of fish allowed is crossed, fish would be discarded/ wasted
43
what does ITTO stand for
international tropical timber organisation
44
what is the aim of ITTO
for sustainable logging - tropical timber is sustainably sourced, controlled!
45
why is the legal protection of species somtimes limited
- financial cost - can be hard to enforce ( especially in more remote areas) - not in every country
46
what is ex situ conservation
conserving wildlife outside of their natural habitat ( captive breeding)
47
why are some species better in captive breeding than others
- species with a higher captive population are better - higher genetic diversity, larger gene pool allows for less inbreeding - higher frequency of births - the population can be replaced quicker - lighter/smaller species - require less resources eg. food, so are less expensive - endangered species - in much more need for captive breeding 40 - reproduce rapidly - short pregnancies - young maturity age
48
what are some problems with captive breeding
- inbreeding if captive population is too small eg. condors - species may be too big or mobile to keep effectively in captivity eg. great white sharks, blue whales etc.. - diet may be difficult to provide eg. pandas, koalas - maybe unable to recreate suitable abiotic conditions eg. giant squid, polar bears, tropical coral ( species in extreme environments) - unable to house large groups that would have been in the wild eg. flamingos -low breeding success rate eg. giant panda
49
name four ways to increase breeding success in ex situ conservation
- artificial insemination - embryo transfer - provision of suitable abiotic factors - recreating population Dynamics and conditions for breeding
50
what is artificial insemination
sperm from male is taken and injected into female - increases success rate + allows pregnancy with no contact from a male
51
what is embryo transfer
female is given hormones to stimulate egg release, sperm is taken + egg is fertilised, embryo is implanted into a different female ^^ this allows a single female to have multiple offspring at only one time
52
how does provision of suitable abiotic factors increase breeding success in ex situ conservation
factors are manipulated to increase breeding success rate eg. temperature, light, salinity etc..
53
name some examples of recreating population Dynamics and conditions for increasing breeding success
- creating the right male to female ratio - managed so there is no inbreeding - features eg. nesting sites - may require to be kept in large groups with greater space to be able to breed eg. flamingos
54
name 5 problems with releasing captive bred organisms into the Wild and their Solutions
P - possible association with humans ( positive = may go up to the Hunters) S - dress up as animals/ use puppets P- may not be immune to local diseases S- vaccinate them P- loss of habitat/ original threat may still exist S- release into protected areas P- unsuitable age/ sex ratio S -only release suitable ones/ ratio P- low genetic diversity S - avoid inbreeding in captivity +/ release in large numbers (higher pop. = greater diversity) P - lack of Survival Skills eg. hunting + avoiding predators S- train them P- lack of social skills S - release in groups
55
what is a soft release programme?
providing support once released eg. food, monitoring, health checks etc.. - may also be initially released into a fenced off area
56
what is a hard release programme
no support - released into the Wild and left
57
name five type of protected habitats
MNR SSSI NNR LNR MCZ MPA ramsar SPA SAC natura 2000 site
58
what is MNR and give an example
marine nature reserve Isle of Man
59
what is SSSI and give an example
site of specific scientific interest national parks
60
what is NNR and give an example
national nature reserves Yellowstone
61
what is LNR and give an example
local nature reserves Wildlife Trust
62
what is MCZ and give an example
protected areas of Coast protecting the life within -UK waters
63
what is MPA and give an example
to protect marine habitats Galapagos marine reserve
64
what is ramsar and give an example
identifies areas of wetland of international importance Abberton Reservoir
65
what is SPA and give an example
to protect vulnerable bird species Ashdown Forest
66
what is SAC and give an example
conservation of natural habitats Asby complex
67
what is natura 2000 site and give an example
ensures long-term survival of most vulnerable habitats and species thymen
68
name seven parts of habitat management ( design of habitat)
-habitat area - biological corridors - habitat shape - habitat diversity - light levels - water depth - vegetation age structure
69
what is meant by habitat area for habitat management
the size of the habitats: - must be large enough to support a viable population - large enough for no inbreeding/ big enough gene pool - organisms higher up the food chain often have lower population densities eg. tigers, and so would need a much larger area than other species for a viable population some species require other species for Inter species services eg. monkeys eat fruit off trees, and so require enough variety and number of trees provided for them larger = more breeding sites + resources some species eg. frogs, newts, benefit from smaller habitats where it is too small to support predatory organisms eg. fish that eat eggs and tadpoles
70
what is habitat fragmentation
splitting habitat into smaller sections: - limits resources and food supplies - fewer available mates - smaller gene pool, increased inbreeding
71
what is meant by biological corridors for habitat management
isolated areas of the same habitat allowing the dispersal of young animals if there is a local breeding surplus + mixing populations and gene pools greater access to breeding sites decreased risk of inbreeding
72
what is meant by habitat shape for habitat management
the perimeter of habitat may have a strip weather conditions overlap/ combine ^ some species may benefit from this -for example a long thin oval habitat would have an increased Edge effect vs a broad round habitat - this would mean eg. more wind penetration, reduced shade, invasive species/ predators/ poachers + an increased risk of fragmentation ( harder to protect)
73
what is meant by habitat diversity for habitat management
natural habitats = lots of variety in habitat conditions - this increases biodiversity as different species colonise the areas best suited/ adapted for them
74
what is meant by light levels for habitat management
shading of trees affects plant growth on the floor beneath them by selecting individual trees ( selective felling), you can create suitable conditions for the smaller plants that need more light - a range in light levels allow for more biodiversity
75
what is meant by water depth for habitat management
most aquatic plants and animals colonise areas of specific water depth as water depth increases, the plant community changes as root anchorage + nutrient absorption from sediment becomes more difficult - a range in water depths allow for more biodiversity
76
what is meant by vegetation age structure for habitat management
natural Woodlands have trees of all ages ^ old trees die and create a clearing for new trees - unnatural Woodlands with only new trees would have few clearings, low ground light levels = little biodiversity - by selective felling and leaving the dead trees, a natural woodland can be replicated
77
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environmental science (4 decks)

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