2.3.10. Distinguish between the terms conservation & preservation Explain conservation is a dynamic process involving management and reclamation

2.3.10

Distinguish between the terms conservation & preservation

Explain conservation is a dynamic process involving management and reclamation

Discuss the economic, social & ethical reasons for conservation of biological resources

Outline, with examples, the effects of human activities on the animal and plant populations in the Galapagous Islands

What is conservation?





ConservationMaintenance of biodiversity,

including diversity between species, genetic diversity within species, and maintenance of a variety of habitats and ecosystems

PreservationProtecting ‘untouched’ areas of

land eg Antarctica





Dynamic process Management

Raise carrying capacity by increasing foodMove individuals to increase populationRestrict dispersal by fencingControl predator numbersVaccinate individuals against diseasePreserve habitat

ReclamationClean up pollutionRemove unwanted speciesRecolonise from captive breeding programmes

EcosystemEdge effects

SpeciesFocus on as easier to relate toSpecies interactions e.g. mutualism, predation

GeneticDiversity within a speciesFisher’s fundamental theoremE.g. Bottlenecks, inbreeding depression

Very few habitats truly natural Even hotspots have only as much as 30% virgin

habitat Maintaining biodiversity (number of species

and genetic diversity within species) Over-exploitation for food and commerce Habitat disruption and fragmentation Introduced species

IUCN Red List CITES control trade

Plants:Species recovery programmes in botanic

gardens (ex situ conservation)PublicityField Assessment

Distinctiveness Endangerment Utility

Strategies adopted depends upon the specific characteristics of the ecosystem and the species involved. But could includeRaising carrying capacity by providing extra

foodDeveloping dispersal corridorsRestrict dispersal eg fencingControl predators and poachersVaccinate against diseasePrevent pollution, restrict succession

Consideration of social and economic costs to the local community

Effective education and liaison with the community

Establishing protected areas eg National parks, green belt and SSSI

Legal protection, ex-situ conservation

8 grades of protected areas from scientific reserves down to managed areas

Currently only 9% of land surface protected

Habitat protection by:Buying land e.g. RSPBDebt SwapLegislation

Partula snails on Moorea Show classic example of island species

diversity African land snails were a pest so

Euglandina were used as a biological control leading to near extinction of Partula

International co-operation and local indigenous peoples

Captive breeding programme at Kew Returned to wild with anti-predator

defences





Social Ethical Economic

Use page 210-211 to complete the table

Social Ethical Economic

• Ecosystem services (forests absorb CO2)

•Enrichment (nice to look at)• Culturally valuable•Indicator species provide warning of ecosystem breakdown

• Moral & ethical responsibility for 1.5 million named organisms (estimate of total put it at 10-50 million in total)•Every species is valuable in it’s own right

• Sustainable use• Treasure trove (potential food, drugs, genes)•Traded on a local and global scale•If resources are lost there will be less trade in the future• Governments subsidise & encourage over exploitation





Effects of human activities on the animal and plant populationsHabitat disturbance, fragmentationUse of resources Increased pollutionOver exploitation

Giant tortoises taken for food Over fishing for exotic species

Introduced species e.g. goats, cats, insects Out compete native species e.g. goats

outcompete tortoises Eat native species Bring diseases

Read page 212-213 and answer questions 1-4

Outline, with examples, the effects of human activities on the animal and plant populations in the Galapagos Islands [8]

Habitat Disturbance Demands on utilities due to increased human population Oil spill in 2001 affected marine and coastal

environments Increased pollution and waste Fragmentation of forests

Over-exploitation of resources Species harvested faster than they were being replaced

e.g. whales, giant tortoises, sea cucumbers Introduced Species

Deliberate introductions of non-native species e.g. goats, cats

Accidental introductions e.g. rats, insects Outcompete native species Bring disease E.g. red quinine tree is aggressively invasive species E.g. goat eats unique native purslane species,

outcompetes tortoises

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2.3.10. Distinguish between the terms conservation & preservation Explain conservation is a dynamic process involving management and reclamation