3.3 Conservation & Regeneration (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS): SL): Flashcards
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What are the five types of justification given for preserving biodiversity?
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What are the five types of justification given for preserving biodiversity?
The five justifications are aesthetic, ecological, economic, ethical and social reasons.
Define keystone species.
A keystone species is a species that has a disproportionately large impact on its ecosystem, so its loss causes major knock-on effects.
Which large herbivore is a keystone species in the African savannah?
The bush elephant is a keystone species in the African savannah.
How do bush elephants help maintain biodiversity in the savannah ecosystem?
By knocking over and eating trees, bush elephants prevent any one plant species from dominating and create habitats for other species.
True or False?
Ecological reasons for preserving biodiversity relate to human enjoyment of nature's beauty.
False.
That is an aesthetic reason; ecological reasons relate to vital processes such as pollination and water purification.
Name two ecological services provided by biodiversity.
Biodiversity provides ecological services such as pollination and water purification.
Define ecotourism.
Ecotourism is tourism based on visiting natural areas, generating revenue and jobs for local economies.
Which cancer-fighting drug is sourced from Pacific and Himalayan yew trees?
Paclitaxel is a cancer-fighting drug sourced from Pacific and Himalayan yew trees.
True or False?
The Himalayan yew's population has declined due to overharvesting for fuel and medicine.
True.
Overharvesting for fuel and medicine has caused the Himalayan yew population to decline.
Define intrinsic value.
Intrinsic value is the inherent worth of a species or habitat, independent of its usefulness to humans.
What is meant by "natural capital" as an economic reason for preserving biodiversity?
Natural capital refers to resources, such as timber, fish and clean water, that natural ecosystems provide to support long-term economic prosperity.
Access to natural spaces can improve both mental and health.
Access to natural spaces can improve both mental and physical health.
Why might a loss of biodiversity threaten the social benefits people gain from nature?
If biodiversity is not conserved, natural environments may be lost, along with the shared social activities they support.
According to the ethical justification, who should biodiversity be preserved for, beyond current human benefit?
Many believe there is an ethical obligation to preserve biodiversity for future generations.
Define ex situ conservation.
Ex situ conservation is when conservation action is taken outside a species' natural habitat.
Define in situ conservation.
In situ conservation is when conservation action is taken within a species' natural habitat.
True or False?
Species-based conservation typically involves in situ strategies, while habitat-based conservation typically involves ex situ strategies.
False.
Species-based conservation typically involves ex situ strategies, while habitat-based conservation typically involves in situ strategies.
Which botanic garden in London holds over 30,000 plant species as part of ex situ conservation?
Kew Gardens in London holds over 30,000 plant species.
Which US zoo runs a captive breeding programme for the California Condor?
The San Diego Zoo runs a captive breeding programme for the California Condor.
What is the purpose of CITES?
CITES regulates international trade in wild animals and plants to ensure it does not threaten their survival.
Define a seed bank.
A seed bank is a place where seeds of plant species are stored to preserve genetic diversity as a backup against loss in the wild.
Which seed bank in Norway holds seeds from plant species around the world?
The Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway holds seeds from around the world.
Which US national park protects ecosystems including grizzly bears and wolves?
Yellowstone National Park protects ecosystems including grizzly bears and wolves.
Define a flagship species.
A flagship species is a charismatic, well-known species used as a symbol to raise awareness and support for conservation.
Which flagship primate species is found in the Virunga Mountains, spanning Rwanda, Uganda and the DRC?
The mountain gorilla is found in the Virunga Mountains.
Define a keystone species.
A keystone species has a disproportionate effect on the structure and function of its ecosystem, so its removal causes significant change.
Which marine mammal is a keystone species in Pacific Northwest kelp forests?
The sea otter is a keystone species in Pacific Northwest kelp forests, as it controls sea urchin numbers.
The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding restores and expands forests, the natural habitat of giant pandas.
The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding restores and expands bamboo forests, the natural habitat of giant pandas.
What two types of conservation strategy does the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding combine?
The Chengdu Research Base combines species-based strategies, such as captive breeding, with habitat-based strategies.
Define the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is a United Nations treaty that promotes sustainable development and the conservation of biodiversity.
The Convention on Biological Diversity was signed at the Earth Summit in in 1992.
The Convention on Biological Diversity was signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.
Define the Nagoya Protocol.
The Nagoya Protocol is the part of the CBD that ensures fair sharing of the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources.
Besides conserving biodiversity, what is one objective of the Convention on Biological Diversity?
Another objective of the CBD is the sustainable use of biological resources.
Define active management in habitat conservation.
Active management is human intervention to maintain or restore habitats to a desired condition.
Which active management method promotes the growth of desired plant species in grasslands and forests?
Controlled burning promotes the growth of desired plant species in grasslands and forests.
How are water levels controlled in the Norfolk Broads to protect wetland species?
Sluices and pumps are used to control water levels, preventing areas becoming too dry or too flooded.
Why is reed cutting carried out as part of active management in the Norfolk Broads?
Reed cutting prevents the wetlands becoming overgrown and maintains the open water areas certain species need.
What method is used at Zealandia in New Zealand to keep out invasive predators such as rats and stoats?
Zealandia uses a predator-proof pest-exclusion fence to keep out invasive predators.
Which two native New Zealand species have been reintroduced to Zealandia?
The little spotted kiwi and the tuatara have been reintroduced to Zealandia.
Besides an understanding of the target species' biology, what two factors does effective conservation-area design depend on?
Effective conservation-area design also depends on the size and shape of the area.
Define home range.
Home range is the area an individual animal or group needs to roam to find the resources it requires.
True or False?
Larger protected areas can generally support more species and larger populations than smaller ones.
True.
Larger areas can support more species, larger populations and a greater range of habitats.
Define edge effects.
Edge effects are the changes that occur at the boundary between two different habitats or land-use types.
How can edge effects in a protected area be minimised?
Edge effects can be minimised by using simple shapes or buffer zones around the edges of a protected area.
Define a wildlife corridor.
A wildlife corridor is a narrow strip of land connecting otherwise isolated areas of habitat, allowing movement and gene flow between populations.
True or False?
Protected areas close to human settlements are generally at lower risk of habitat destruction and pollution.
False.
Protected areas close to human settlements are at greater risk of habitat destruction, pollution and hunting.
In the Great Barrier Reef's conservation zoning, what activity is permitted in the core area?
In the core area, minimal to no human activity is permitted.
What kinds of activity are permitted in the Great Barrier Reef's buffer zones?
The buffer zones allow limited, regulated activities such as sustainable fishing and tourism.
In the Great Barrier Reef's outer transition zones, sustainable resource use and human activities are alongside conservation.
In the Great Barrier Reef's outer transition zones, sustainable resource use and human activities are encouraged alongside conservation.
What is the main climate-change-related threat to the Great Barrier Reef?
Coral bleaching, caused by rising sea temperatures, is the main climate-change-related threat.
Define rewilding.
Rewilding is the restoration of natural ecosystem processes, such as predator-prey relationships and nutrient cycling, to regenerate ecosystem stability.
What are the four main strategies used in rewilding?
The four main strategies are species reintroduction, improving habitat connectivity, stopping agriculture, and limiting human influence.
How did reintroducing wolves to Yellowstone National Park help restore the ecosystem?
Wolves controlled deer populations, allowing habitat vegetation to recover.
How do reintroduced beavers help restore ecosystems in the UK?
Beavers build dams that create large wetland areas supporting diverse wildlife.
Define habitat connectivity.
Habitat connectivity is the ability of species to move freely between fragmented habitat patches, allowing larger populations to establish.
Give an example of a wildlife corridor used to improve habitat connectivity on farmland.
Hedgerows are an example of a wildlife corridor used on farmland.
What is the Knepp Estate in England, and how has it been rewilded?
The Knepp Estate is former farmland that has been rewilded and now supports wild ponies, pigs and longhorn cattle.
True or False?
Limiting human influence as a rewilding strategy always means preventing any human management of a habitat.
False.
Ecological management techniques, such as controlled grazing or burning, may still be used to restore a habitat.
Where is the Hinewai Reserve located?
The Hinewai Reserve is located on Banks Peninsula, New Zealand.
At Hinewai Reserve, initial human intervention involved the removal of species.
At Hinewai Reserve, initial human intervention involved the removal of non-native species.
What process restores native plant communities at Hinewai Reserve, once non-native species were removed?
Native plant communities are restored by succession, with minimal further human intervention.
True or False?
Native bird populations at Hinewai Reserve have declined since rewilding began.
False.
Native bird populations at Hinewai Reserve have increased since rewilding began.
Define the planetary boundaries model.
The planetary boundaries model outlines the critical Earth-system processes that have kept the planet stable and resilient during the Holocene epoch.
What is the biodiversity planetary boundary also known as?
The biodiversity planetary boundary is also known as biosphere integrity.
What does protecting biosphere integrity mean?
Protecting biosphere integrity means preventing the loss of species and genetic diversity, and the loss of ecosystem functioning.
True or False?
Scientists estimate that humanity is currently operating within the safe limit of the biodiversity planetary boundary.
False.
Scientists estimate we have already crossed the boundary, so the current extinction rate is higher than the safe limit.
What is the aim of conservation and ecosystem regeneration measures in relation to the biodiversity planetary boundary?
The aim is to reverse the decline in biodiversity and move back towards a safe operating space for humanity.
Give an example of an individual-level action that can help address the biodiversity planetary boundary.
Sustainable consumption, such as reducing, reusing and recycling, is an example of an individual-level action.
Give an example of a collective-level action to address the biodiversity planetary boundary.
Local conservation projects, such as tree planting or habitat restoration, are an example of a collective-level action.
At the national level, governments can help address biodiversity loss by establishing national parks and .
At the national level, governments can help address biodiversity loss by establishing national parks and wildlife reserves.
Which international treaty is an example of an international-level effort to address the biodiversity planetary boundary?
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an example of an international-level effort.
True or False?
Measures to address the biodiversity planetary boundary only need to be implemented at the international level to be effective.
False.
Measures need to be implemented at all levels: individual, collective, national and international.
The planetary boundaries model identifies critical Earth-system processes.
The planetary boundaries model identifies nine critical Earth-system processes.
Name one human activity driving the rapid loss of biodiversity today.
Deforestation, pollution and overfishing are human activities driving the rapid loss of biodiversity.
Define an ecocentric conservation perspective.
An ecocentric conservation perspective focuses on the intrinsic value of biodiversity and prioritises low-intervention in situ strategies.
Which Scottish national park is an example of an ecocentric, low-intervention conservation approach?
The Cairngorms National Park is an example of an ecocentric, low-intervention approach.
Define an anthropocentric/technocentric conservation perspective.
An anthropocentric/technocentric perspective focuses on the economic and societal value of biodiversity and encourages scientific interventions such as zoos and gene banks.
Which Scottish wildlife park runs a conservation breeding programme for European bison?
The Highland Wildlife Park runs a conservation breeding programme for European bison.
True or False?
An ecocentric perspective on conservation encourages the use of zoos and gene banks.
False.
That is an anthropocentric/technocentric approach; ecocentric perspectives prioritise low-intervention in situ strategies.
Name five factors that influence the success of conservation and regeneration measures.
Success depends on community support, adequate funding, education and awareness, appropriate legislation, and scientific research.
Which UK national park authority partners with local farmers to manage upland landscapes?
The Snowdonia National Park Authority (Eryri) partners with local farmers to manage its upland landscapes.
Which UK fund supports biodiversity conservation projects across the country?
The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports biodiversity conservation projects across the UK.
Which BBC documentary series raised public awareness of plastic pollution's effects on marine ecosystems?
Blue Planet II raised public awareness of plastic pollution's effects on marine ecosystems.
The Wildlife and Countryside Act provides legal protection to endangered species and habitats in the UK.
The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 provides legal protection to endangered species and habitats in the UK.
Which UK organisation conducts research on bird populations to guide conservation efforts?
The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) conducts research on bird populations to guide conservation efforts.
Define environmental justice in a conservation context.
Environmental justice means ensuring that different social groups receive a fair share of conservation benefits and burdens.
What are the UK's Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) designed to balance?
Marine Conservation Zones balance protecting marine habitats and species with the livelihoods of local communities.
True or False?
Only conservationists are involved in decision-making for the UK's Marine Conservation Zones.
False.
Stakeholders including fishermen, conservationists and local residents are all involved.
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