CONSERVATION AND
BIODIVERSITY
4.3 Conservation of biodiversity
Assessment Statements
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4.3.1 State the arguments for preserving species and
habitats.
4.3.2 Compare and contrast the role and activities of
intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations
in preserving and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity.
4.3.3 State and explain the criteria used to design
protected areas.
4.3.4 Evaluate the success of a named protected area.
4.3.5 Discuss and evaluate the strengths and
weaknesses of the species-based approach to
conservation
4.3.1 State the arguments for preserving species
and habitats.
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Forests are valuable for:
Producing sustainable
resources (timber, food,
medicine)
Reducing land damage (Soil
erosion, sedimentation, and
flooding
Maintaining oxygen/carbon
dioxide balance by reducing
carbon dioxide therefore
reducing global warming
Maintaining biodiversity
(habitat complexity, niche
availability, and number of
species)
Providing freshwater(filtration)
4.3.1 State the arguments for preserving species
and habitats.
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Biodiversity is valuable for:
Ecosystem productivity
(ecosystems work best when
diverse)
Environmental indicators (help
identify changes in ecosystems)
Scientific reasons (Many
species undiscovered)
Education (Biodiversity is a
wealth of knowledge)
Genetic Diversity (Once a
species is lost, so is its
adaptations.)
Recreation (Money for local
economy)
Human Rights(Indigenous home)
4.3.2 Compare and contrast the role and activities of
intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations in
preserving and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity.
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Non-government organizations
are not run by, funded by, or
influenced by governments of
any country (Greenpeace,
World Wildlife Fund for
Nature)
Intergovernmental
Organizations are bodies
established through
international agreements to
protect the environment and
help governments work
together on an international
scale (United Nations
Environment Programme
(UNEP), International Union for
Conservation of Nature(IUCN))
4.3.2 Compare and contrast the role and activities of
intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations in
preserving and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity.
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GOs (UNEP, IUCN):
Use of Media- Prepared
statements, international news
clips and informative videos
Speed of Response- Fairly
slow – many constituents, and
legal requirements
Diplomatic constraints- Must
consult lawyers for opinions,
international disagreements
can cause constraints
Political Influence- Great,
direct access to governments
Enforceability- Through
international agreements and
laws.
4.3.2 Compare and contrast the role and activities of
intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations in
preserving and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity.
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IUCN created the
World Conservation
Strategy in 1980 with
the objectives of:
Maintain ecological
processes or life
support systems
Preserve genetic
diversity
Ensure sustainable
utilization of species
and ecosystems
4.3.2 Compare and contrast the role and activities of
intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations in
preserving and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity.
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NGOs (WWF, Greenpeace):
Use of Media- Advertise on
TV, video protests, press packs,
leaflets and events
Speed of Response- Can be
rapid and regular,
independent organizations
Diplomatic constraints- work
with non-profit outfits, outside
politics – activities may be
illegal, often discouraged
Political Influence- No direct
influence, but may establish
concern
Enforceability- Rely on public
pressure
4.3.3 State and explain the criteria used to design protected
areas.
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Protected Area Criteria:
Edge Effects – Edge of
protected area may have
different abiotic factors
attracting species not found
deeper in the reserve.
Size – One Large vs. Several
small allows for large
populations and biodiversity.
Enables protection of large
vertebrates/top carnivores.
Less edge effects.
Shape – Should be a circle for
less edge effects and
poaching
Buffer zone – to minimize
disturbance.
4.3.3 State and explain the criteria used to design protected
areas.
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If multiple, should be close
together and have corridors to
help recolonize if necessary,
allow for movement and
migration.
Should not have roads acting
as barriers to migration and
increase disturbance and edge
effects.
However corridors can lead to
species breeding outside
protected area, invasion of
pests or diseases, poachers
can easily move about, narrow
corridors increase edge
effects, corridors can become
barriers if protected by fences
4.3.5 Discuss and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the
species-based approach to conservation
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Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species
(CITES) – Pros: Does deter
trade in these species
Cons: Voluntary, and penalties
may not be sufficient
Zoos- Pros: Education,
controlled environment, genetic
monitoring, improved
reproductive success, higher
chance to survive to adulthood,
can hold species while habitat
restored
Cons: Narrowed gene pool,
may be unable to adapt back
to the wild, people object to
captive animals for profit
4.3.5 Discuss and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the
species-based approach to conservation
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The species-based approach
to conservation involves the
conservation of high profile,
charismatic species to catch
public interest both nationally
and internationally.
Advantages: saving a named
species means preserving the
animal’s habitat and this
benefits all other organisms in
that habitat.
Disadvantages: it favors
charismatic organisms and is
less successful in saving small
undistinguished species. A
species can be preserved in a
zoo, while its habitat is not.