IB ESS Topic 4: Conservation and biodiversity

Topic 4:
Conservation and biodiversity
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4.1.1 Define the terms biodiversity,
genetic diversity, species diversity,
and habitat diversity
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• Biodiversity is the amount of biological
or living diversity in a specific area.
• It includes the concepts of species
diversity, habitat diversity, and genetic
diversity
What is Biodiversity?
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• Biodiversity is the variation of life forms
within a given ecosystem, biome or for the
entire Earth.
• Biodiversity is often used as a measure of the
health of biological systems.
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What is Species?
A group of closely related organisms that are ve
ry similar to each other and are usually capable
of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring.
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What is Species Diversity?
Species diversity is a measurement of the
number of different species and how
abundant they are compared to other
species in a specific area.
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• The different sample areas
showing species richness
(sample area 1)
• Species evenness (sample
area 2) and
• Diversity due to
taxonomically unrelated
species (sample area 3)
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What is Genetic Diversity?
• Genetic diversity is the range of genetic
material which is present in a species.
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• Genetic diversity is a level of
biodiversity that refers to the total
number of genetic characteristics in a
particular one species.
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Giraffe Genetic diversity
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Human Genetic diversity
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How this Genetic Diversity is important?
• Genetic diversity and biodiversity are
dependent upon each other -- that diversity
within a species is necessary to maintain
diversity among species, and vice versa.
• If any one type is removed from the system,
the cycle can break down, and the community
becomes dominated by a single species
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What is Habitat Diversity?
• Habitat diversity is the range of different
habitats in an ecosystem .
• Habitat diversity takes many forms:
• The variety of plants and animals on a site;
• Structural diversity or the vertical arrangement of
vegetation from canopy to forest floor; horizontal
diversity or the distribution of habitat.
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Habitat Diversity
• Variety of forests, deserts, grasslands,
lakes, oceans, coral reefs, wetlands, and
other biological communities,
• (niches per unit area).
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Projected Status of Biodiversity
1998–2018
Critical and endangered Threatened Stable or intact
ANTARCTICA
NORTH
AMERICA
EUROPE
AFRICA
ASIA
SOUTH
AMERICA AUSTRALIA
Pacific
Ocean
Antarctic Circle
Pacific
Ocean
Tropic of Cancer
Tropic of Capricorn
Indian
Ocean
Atlantic
Ocean
150°90°60°E0°30°W90°120°150°0°
60°
30°N
30°S
60°
Arctic CircleArctic Circle
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Why Should We Care About
Biodiversity?
Instrumental value:
usefulness to us.
Intrinsic value:
because they exist,
Regardless of whether
they are useful to us or
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Ecological Services of Biodiversity:
• Flow of materials, energy, and information in
the biosphere
– Photosynthesis
– Pollination
– Soil formation and maintenance
– Nutrient recycling
– Moderation of weather extremes
– Purification of air and water
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RECAP
• What is Biodiversity?
• What is Genetic Diversity
• What is Habitat Diversity?
• What is Species Diversity?
• Ecological Services of Biodiversity:
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4.1.2 Outline the mechanism of natural
selection as a possible driving force for
speciation
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• The cumulative and gradual
change in the genetic characteristic
of successive generations of a
species;
What is Evolution?
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What is Natural selection
The process where organism that are better
adapted to their surrounding are more likely
to survive and produce more offspring
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Isabela
Darwin
Wolf
Pinta
Marchena Genovesa
Fernandia
Santiago
Bartolomé
Råbida
Pin zon
Seymour
Baltra
Santa Cruz
Santa Fe
Tortuga
Española
San Cristobal
Floreana
EQUATOR
Galåpagos
Islands
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Darwin’s Conclusion
• all species tend to over-reproduce
• This leads to competition for limited resources (a
‘struggle for existence’)
• Species show variation (all individuals are not alike)
From this Darwin concluded that:
• Those best adapted to their surroundings survive
• These can then go on to reproduce.
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Land Iguana
Marine Iguana
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FOUNDER SPECIES
insect and nectar eatersfruit and seed eaters
KAUAI AKIALAOA
AMAKIHI
IIWI
APAPANE
KONA
FINCH
extinct
LAYSAN
FINCH
AKIAPOLAAU
MAUI
PARROTBILL
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Based on his
observations,
Darwin proposed
that EVOLUTION
occurs by
NATURAL
SELECTION.
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• Diego
• Sid
• Crash and Eddie
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Saber-toothed cat Or Smilodon
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Natural Selection
• Natural selection is the process by which
heritable traits that make it more likely for an
organism to survive and successfully
reproduce become more common in a
population over successive generations. It is a
key mechanism of evolution.
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Why Natural Selection is Important?
Natural selection is the engine that drives
Evolution.
The organisms best suited to survive in their
particular circumstances have a greater chance
of passing their traits on to the next generation.
These factors work together to produce the
amazingly diverse range of life forms present
on Earth.
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Rufous hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus). A
hummingbird's long bill and tongue evolved to let the
bird reach deep into a flower for nectar
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What is the role of Natural Selection in the formation
of new species?
• Natural selection is the process where
organism that are better adapted to
surrounding are more likely to survive and
produce more offspring
• All species show variation and all species
show over reproduction
• Variation is caused by GENETIC DIVERSITY
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• The genetic characteristic that are
successful are passed on to will survive or
not
• The genetic characteristic that are successful
are passed on to the next generation when
an individual reproduces.
• Overtime there is gradual change in the
genetic characteristic of a species and this
leads to the formation of new species
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What is SPECIATION?
• The formation of one or more new species
from the pre existing species is called
'Speciation'.
• New species are developed mainly by
isolation and variation.
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Fig. 20.10, p. 319
RACCOON RED PANDA GIANT PANDA
DIVERGENCE
approximately
40 million years ago
DIVERGENCE
15-20 million years ago
SPECTACLED
BEAR
SLOTH
BEAR
SUN
BEAR
BLACK
BEAR
POLAR
BEAR
BROWN
BEAR
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4.1.3 State the isolation can lead to
different species being produced that
are unable to interbreed to yield
fertile offspring
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Spiny anteater
Unique Species
Platypus
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Koala
MARSUPIALS
Tasmanian Devil
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Have you ever wondered how
polar bears came to be white?
• It makes perfect sense; the white bears blend
into the white arctic terrain easily.
• Polar bears evolved to adapt to their
environment.
• Every species adapts through the generations to
survive in its habitat, or else it faces extinction
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4 TYPES OF ISOLATION
1.Geographical isolation:
2.Ecological isolation:
3.Temporal isolation:
4.Behavioural isolation
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1. Geographical isolation: forms are separated by
land or water barriers that they are unable to
cross.
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2.Ecological isolation: the forms fail to meet
because they live in different places within the
same geographic region.
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3.Temporal isolation: The forms are active at different seasons or
times of day.
For example, one population would be temporally isolated from
another if it's breeding season was in the fall while the other's was
in the spring
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4.Behavioural isolation: Behavioral isolations is an
isolating mechanism in which two species do not
mate because of differences in courtship behavior.
For example, there are two different species of cricket
that would be indistinguishable unless you heard
their mating song.
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Nonvertebrate chordates
Jawless fishes
Cartilaginous fishes
Bony fishes
Amphibians
Reptiles
Birds
Mammals
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Fig. 27.19a, p. 471
North
America
MONOTREMES,
MARSUPIALS
EVOLVE AND
MIGRATE
THROUGH
PANGEA
South
America
Antarctica
AustraliaIndia
Africa
Eurasia
About 150 million years ago, during the Jurassic
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Fig. 27.19b, p. 471
PLACENTAL
MAMMALS
EVOLVE;
ADAPTIVE
RADIATIONS
BEGIN
Isolation of the
early
monotremes,
marsupials on
this land mass
Between 100 and 85 million years ago, during the Cretaceous
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Two tigons (male to the left, female
to the right)
•
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A Liger-Lion/Tiger
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A "boblynx" -- a hybrid of bobcat
and lynx;
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A "zonkey" -- a hybrid of zebra and
donkey;
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INTRODUCTION
1.Are the Himalayas getting higher?
2.Is the Atlantic Ocean growing and the
Pacific Ocean shrinking?
3.Are we standing on large plates of the
Earth?s crust that are moving at the rate a
fingernail grows?
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• 4.1.4 Explain how plate activity
has influenced evolution and
biodiversity.
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• This theory explains the movement of the
Earth's plates and also explains the cause of
earthquakes, volcanoes, oceanic trenches,
mountain range formation, and many other
geologic phenomenon.
What is Plate Tectonics?
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• At the locations where two tectonic plates
interact, a boundary between these plates is
called PLATE BOUNDARIES
• There are three types of boundaries.
• These boundaries are divergent boundaries,
convergent boundaries, and transform or
conservative boundaries.
Plates Boundaries
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How does plate activity
lead to speciation?
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1.The formation of new mountain or rift valleys
forms a barrier between two populations.
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2. New habitats are created.
3. The increase in habitat diversity leads to an
increase in species diversity as the number of
available niches increases.
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4. The geographical barrier could separate species
and put them in two different ecosystems with
climates that might be completely different.
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Separated populations would adapt to their new
surroundings and eventually evolve into new species
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How islands can be created
through plate activity:
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• Populations that are located on islands can
result in speciation.
• 1. The formation of volcanic islands creates
new environments
• 2. Animals and plants colonize the new
islands
• 3. The animals and plants adapt to local
conditions
• 4. This leads to speciation and increased
regional diversity.
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• The formation of new mountain or rift valley
forms a barrier between two population
How does the movement of tectonic plates
effect the environment?
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• New Habitats created
• The increase in habitat diversity leads to an
increase in species diversity as the number
of available niches increases
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• The geographical barrier could separate
species and put them in two different
ecosystem with climates
• Separated populations would adapt to their
new surrounding and eventually evolve into
new species
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• These forms can change the nutrition available to
animals and plants through different available
sediments and soils, and by making one new habitat
more habitable by a particular species.
• Finally, large landforms such as placement of
mountain ranges can actually influence the large-scale
climate.
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• Unique animals in
Himalayas…………
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Marco Polo sheep
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Zebroid
Zebra + Equine= Zebro
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Bill Gates' flower fly
names were in "recognition of
[their] great contributions to
the science of Dipterology
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kooteninchela deppi
The species name deppi comes from the actor
Johnny Depp, after his role as "Edward
Scissorhands" in the film of the same name
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• 4.1.5 Explain the relationships among
ecosystem stability, diversity, succession
and habitat.
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How does the diversity and stability
during succession?
1. As a succession progresses, the complexity of
an ecosystem increases. As complexity
increases, diversity becomes greater.
2. Each seral stage of succession helps create a
deeper soil with more nutrients, which allows
larger plants to grow
3. Changes in the plant community increases
habitat diversity
4. This leads to greater species and genetic
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• 5.Greater habitat leads to an increase in
niches, which allows more species to live
together
• 6.Climax communities have more complex
system and so are more stable then earlier
stages such as pioneer communities
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How does human activities alter
succession
Logging, Grazing and burning
Refer Notes….
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4.2.1.Identify factors that lead
to loss of diversity
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FACTOR 1 NATURAL EVENTS
• Natural events such a volcanoes,drought,ice
ages and meteor impact have led to loss of
biodiversity.
• Changes in the Australian climate as a result
of movements in tectonic plates and global
warming have caused increase in the
frequency of fires
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Human Factors lead to loss of biodiversity
Habitat destruction caused by humans includes
conversion of land to agriculture, urban sprawl,
infrastructure development, and other anthropogenic
changes to the characteristics of habitat destruction
caused by humans .
Habitat destruction by human activity mainly for
the purpose of harvesting natural resources for
industry production and urbanization.
Habitat destruction is currently ranked as the most
important cause of species extinction worldwide.
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• Some agricultural methods are a threat to native
species.
• These methods include the introduction of
monocultures, and the use of pesticides and
genetically modified (GM) species.
• Native species are less able to compete with species
that are introduced through agriculture.
• Monocultures mean a large loss of diversity
compared to the native ecosystems that they replace.
• Non-specific pesticides can destroy native as well as
imported pest species and this leads to a loss of
diversity.
How agricultural methods are a threat to
native species?
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habitat fragmentation
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The term habitat fragmentation
includes five discrete phenomena
1. Reduction in the total area of the habitat
2. Decrease of the interior
3. Isolation of one habitat fragment from other
areas of habitat
4. Breaking up of one patch of habitat into
several smaller patches
5. Decrease in the average size of each patch of
habitat
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The remaining fragmented habitats of the
African Elephant
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Identify the Indian endangered goat?
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• 4.2.2 Discuss the perceived vulnerability of
tropical rainforests and their relative value
in contributing to global biodiversity.
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What is Tropical Rainforest?
• Tropical rainforest is a biome found 10
degrees north or south of the equator.
They are common in Asia, Australia,
Africa, South America, Central America,
Mexico and on many of the Pacific
Islands
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• Rainforests are home to half of all the living
animal and plant species on the planet.
• Tropical rain forests are called the "world's
largest pharmacy" because over one-quarter of
modern medicines originate from its plants.
• The undergrowth in a rainforest is restricted in
many areas by the lack of sunlight at ground
level
Why rainforest is Important?
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• The rainforests are home to more species
or populations than all other biomes
added together. 80% of the world's
biodiversity are found in tropical
rainforests
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What is the relative value of tropical rainforest in
contributing to global diversity?
1. Tropical rainforest cover only 5.9 % of the earths
land surface but may contain up to 50% of all
species
2. Rainfall is high in tropical rainforest and have
constant temperatures, high levels of sunlight and
high net primary productivity.
3. Rainforest are complex ecosystem with many
layers.
4. The complex layered structure of rainforest
increases habitat diversity
5. Many rainforest have large number of endemic
species
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What is the role of deforestation in the development
of Green politics?
1. Green politics is a political viewpoint that
places an importance on ecological and
environmental goals and sustainable
development
2. The green movement aims to reduce
deforestation and increase reforestation
3. The Green movement started in part as
result of the threats to tropical rainforest.
4. Many politicians get involved because they
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REFER NOTES
• The Threats and Losses
• Consequences?
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• Composition of the soil, nutrients are locked
up in the trees, less than 10% of the
Amazonian soils are suitable for agriculture.
• Subsistence farming
• Cattle ranching
• Mining
• Oil extraction
• Hydroelectric dams
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A satellite image of a 1,300 square-kilometer area of Brazil's
Amazon Basin, north of Manus. Once the rainforest is accessible,
it can easily be cleared; this allows destruction from numerous
factors to occur
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Deforestation in Brazil
CARING
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– A single pond in Brazil can sustain a greater
variety of fish than are found in all of
Europe's rivers;
– Over 2000 species of fish have been
identified in the Amazon Basin - more
species than the entire Atlantic ocean.
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This pattern is among several shapes present in this image of Bolivian
deforestation
THINKERS
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• 4.2.3 Discuss current estimates of numbers
of species and past and present rates of
species extinction.
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What is the current estimate for the number of
species on earth?
• The total number of species on earth today is
still not well understood.
• Estimates of the current number of species on
the planet range from 5 million to 100 million
• So far, science has identified about 1.8 million
species.
• It is impossible to get an accurate count of the
number of species because many species have
not been discovered yet
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• There are areas of the earth that we still
know little about of many undiscovered
species may live
• Without a reliable estimate of the number of
species, it is difficult to calculate extinction
rates
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CAUSES FOR MASS EXTINCTION
1. CRETACEOUS-TERTIARY EXTINCTION
2. TRIASSIC EXTINCTION
3. PERMAIN-TRISSAIC EXTINCTION
4. LATE DEVONIAN EXTINCTION
5. ORDOVICIAN –SILURINA EXTINCTION
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1.CRETACEOUS-TERTIARY EXTINCTION
• Time :65 Million Years Ago
• Causes: Wide asteroid
• Other reasons: Flood like Volcanic eruption
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2.TRIASSIC EXTINCTION
• Time : 200 Million Years Ago
• Reason : Massive lava eruption in the Atlantic
ocean
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3.PERMAIN-TRISSAIC EXTINCTION
• Time : 250 Million Years Ago
• Largest of all
• Reason: Asteroid Impact
• it almost wiped out land plants entirely.
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4.LATE DEVONIAN
EXTINCTION
• Time :364 million years
• Reason :This is a difficult event to pin down.
Some scientists think it is more like two or
more events over the period of 25 million
years.
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5.ORDOVICIAN –SILURINA EXTINCTION
• 445 Million Years Ago
• Reason :Drop in sea levels as glaciers leads to
rising sea levels.
• 27 % of all families
• 57 % of all genera
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What caused the five past mass extinctions?
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Identify the Indian endangered goat?
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Magnetic reversal of the poles
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• 4.2.4 Describe and explain the factors
that may make species more or less
prone to extinction.
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Factor 1:Small population size and limited
distribution
• Species with small populations sizes and
limited distribution are more likely to
become extinct.
• Species with small populations are also more
likely to have low genetic diversity and their
inability to adapt to changing conditions can
be fatal.
• Many of the large cat species have low
genetic diversity ,example cheetah, snow
leopard and tiger
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Lion-tailed macaque
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Factor 2 :Degree of Specialization
• Specialist species are more likely to become
extinct than generalist species.
• Specialized species have narrow niche so, if their
surrounding change, they may not be able to
adapt and change.
• Ex :a species food resources may be very
specialized such as the giant panda which mainly
eats bamboo.
• Some animals can live only on certain tree species
such as Palila bird which depends on the Mamane
tree for its food therefore losing habitat as the
Manamne tree is cut down
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Sarus Crane & Wetland
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Factor 3- Reproductive Potential
• Species that live for a long are more likely to
have low reproductive rate and this makes
them vulnerable to extinction.
• If there is a change in habitat or a predator is
introduced the population drops and there
are not enough adults to support to maintain
population
• Animals with long gestation times, like
elephants and rhinos are long prone to low
rates of reproductive and it can many years
to recover from any reduction in population
number
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Factor 4: Poor Competitors
• Species that show weak interspecific
competition are more likely to become extinct
than good competitors
• Flightless and slow moving birds such as great
auk, dodo are helpless under the pressure of
hunting and predation
• Their lack of mobility and poor defensive
instincts mean that they are easily preyed upon.
• Animals that have evolved in area where that
have no predators such as dodo are prone to
extinction when a predator is introduced
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• Factor 5 –Trophic level
• Top predators are sensitive to any
disturbance in the food chain
• Any reduction in the numbers of species at
lower trophic levels can have dramatic
consequences
• Top carnivores are therefore particularly
sensitive to hunters and reductions in
population size
• It also possible that species in high tropic
level may accumulate toxins such as the
American bald eagle
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52 Species Move Toward Extinction Each Year
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The Dodo, the giant flightless of Mauritius,
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• 4.2.5 Outline the factors used to
determine a species’ Red List
conservation status.
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• IUCN (International Union for Conservation of
Nature), the world’s largest global environmental
network. that maintains the IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species, an attempt to chronicle the plight
of endangered species around the world.
• The organization publishes the IUCN Red List,
compiling information from a network of
conservation organizations to rate which species are
most endangered.
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• The IUCN aims to have the category
of every species re-evaluated every
five years if possible, or at least
every ten years.
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What is Red Data Book?
• The Red Data Book is the state document
established for documenting rare and endangered
species of animals, plants and fungi as well as
some local sub-species that exist within the
territory of the state or country.
•
• This book provides central information for studies
and monitoring programmes on rare and
endangered species and their habits.
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A range of factors are used to determine the
conservation status of a species on the Red list
Factor 1-The Population size of the species
• Smaller populations are more likely to go
extinct.
The 2010 National Tiger Assessment estimated the total population of
tigers in India as 1,706 354Guru IB
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Factor 2-Redution in population size
• A reduction in population size may indicate
that a species is under threat
• Example The European eel
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Factors 3-The number of mature individuals
• Species with few mature individuals have
lower reproductive rates
• Ex :Orang-utan
• Orangutan have one of the slowest
reproductive rates of all mammal species.
They give birth to a single offspring only
once every 6 to 8 years.
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Factor 4–Geographic range
• Species with a limited geographic range
may be under greater threat from extinction
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Factor 5 – Degree of Fragmentation
• Species in fragmented habitats may not be
able to maintain large enough population
sizes
• Ex :Sumatran Rhino
• Fragmentation of tropical rainforest in
south-east Asia has led to a reduction in
habitat area for this species
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Factor 6: Quality of Habitat
• Species that live in habitats that are poorer
in quality are less likely to survive than
species in habitats that are better in quality
FISHING CAT
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Factor 7- Area of Occupancy
• Species that live in a smaller area are under
greater threat from extinction than more
widespread species. Loss of the area they
live in will lead to loss of the species
• Ex: Golden lion Tamarin
• This monkey are found only in one small are
of Brazil.
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• According to the World Wildlife Federation (WWF)
the top 10 most endangered species(2014) are:
• 1.Black Rhino
• 2.Giant Panda
• 3.Royal Bengal Tiger
• 4.Beluga Sturgeon
• 5.Goldenseal
• 6.Alligator Snapping Turtle
• 7.Hawksbill Turtle
• 8.Big Leaf Mahogany
• 9.Green-Cheeked Parrot
• 10.Mako Shark
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3.Royal Bengal Tiger
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4.Beluga Sturgeon
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6.Alligator Snapping Turtle
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7.Hawksbill Turtle
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Example of Endangered Species
• Mountain Gorilla, Arakan Forest Turtle,
Darwin's Fox, Javan Rhino, Brazilian
Merganser, Gharial, Vaquita
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Mountain Gorilla
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Arakan Forest Turtle
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Brazilian Merganser
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Refer Notes
• 4.2.6 Describe the case histories of three different
species: one that has become extinct, another that
is critically endangered, and a third species whose
conservation status has been improved by
intervention
• 4.2.7 Describe the case history of a natural area of
biological significance that is threatened by human
activities
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• 4.3 Conservation of biodiversity
4.3.1-State the arguments for preserving
species and habitats.
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• There are many arguments for preserving
species and habitats. These arguments can
be divided into 4 groups
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Argument 1 –Ethical Reasons
• Everyone has a responsibility to protect
resources for future generations.
• Ethical reasons also include the idea that
every species has right to survive
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Argument 2 –Aesthetic reasons
• Species and habitats are pleasant to look at
and provide beauty and inspiration
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Argument 3 –Economic reasons
• Species and habitats provide financial
income.
• Species should be preserved to maintain
genetic diversity so that resources will e
available in the future
• Other reasons are commercial resources
such as medicines.
• Ecotourism is successful when habitats are
preserved
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Argument 4 –Ecological reasons
• Rare habitats should be conserved as they may
contain endemic species.
• Ecosystem with high levels of biodiversity are
more stable
• Healthy ecosystem are also more likely to
provide ecosystem services such as pollination
and flood prevention
• Species should be preserved because if they
disappear they could have effects on the rest of
the food chain and ecosystem
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• 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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What are inter governmental and non
governmental organization?
• An inter governmental organization is an
organization that is established through
international agreements in order to protect
the Earth’s natural resources.
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Examples of Inter governmental organization
• United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP)
• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC)
• The International Union for Conservation of
Nature (IUCN)
• United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP)
• World Nature Organization (WNO)
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What is non-governmental organization ?
• A non-governmental organization (NGO)
is an organization that is not run by the
governments of any country.
• NGOs are not funded or influenced by
governments in any way.
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• World Nature Organization (WNO)
• World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)
• Greenpeace
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Similarities between IGOs and NGOs are:
• They look to resolve concerns that affect the
world.
• They use the media to get their message
across and to influence decision making.
• They operate both locally and globally to
preserve and restore ecosystems and
biodiversity.
• They publish reports and articles about their
activities.
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• Contrast of IGO & NGO
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FUNCTION OF UNEP
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MAIN FUNCTIONS
1. International Legal instrument for conserving
the biodiversity
2. Provide vision and support for all the
countries
3. Authority to draw up legally binding
international conventions and documents but
cannot force countries to sign nor compliance
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FUNCTION OF WWF
•The WWF performs many functions
in the preservation and protection of
the environment and animal species.
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STRENGTH WEAKNESS
Simpler to focus on1 species at a time than
on many species
Not ecologically sound:
Media high profile species
Eg:elephant,tiger
Media dosen’t work with obcure
Research easier to focus on a single
species
Research needs context of the whole
environment
Focus on genetic and speices diversity Ignores community and ecosystem
biodiversity
Easier to control trade(CITES) Controversy with CITES-ban vs controlled
trade eg elephants and ivory
Only need key speices How do you decide on key species
Strength & Weakness-CITES
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Function of CITES
1. CITES works by subjecting international trade
in specimens of listed species to certain
controls.
2. These require that all import, export, re-export
and introduction from the sea of species
covered by the Convention has to be
authorized through a permitting system.
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1. Greenpeace is a non
governmental environmental organization with
offices in over forty countries and with an
international coordinating body in Amsterdam.
2. Greenpeace is known for its direct actions and has
been described as the most visible environmental
organization in the world.
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FUNCTION
1. Defending our oceans by challenging wasteful
and destructive fishing, and creating a global
network of marine reserves.
2. Protecting the world’s remaining ancient
forest which are depended on by many animals,
plants and people.
3. Creating a toxin free future with safer alternatives
to hazardous chemicals in today's products and
manufacturing.
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Refer notes…..
• 4.2.6 Describe the case histories of three different
species: one that has become extinct, another that
is critically endangered, and a third species whose
conservation status has been improved by
intervention.
• 4.2.7 Describe the case history of a natural area of
biological significance that is threatened by human
activities.
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• 4.3.2 Outline recent International
convention biodiversity
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• International Conventions -1
• United Nations Conference on the Human
Environment
• The United Nations Conference on the Human
Environment, having met at Stockholm from 5 to
16 June 1972,having considered the need for a
common outlook and for common principles to
inspire and guide the peoples of the world in the
preservation and enhancement of the human
environment
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International Conventions -2
• The United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development (UNCED),
also known as the Rio Summit, Rio
Conference, and Earth Summit (was a major
United Nations conference held in Rio de
Janeiro from 3 to 14 June 1992.
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• In 2012, the United Nations Conference on
Sustainable Development was also held in
Rio, and is also commonly called Rio+20 or
Rio Earth Summit 2012.
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• International Convention -3
• International Union for Conservation of
Nature
• The International Union for Conservation of
Nature is an international organization
dedicated to finding "pragmatic solutions to
our most pressing environment and
development challenges".
• The organization publishes the IUCN Red
List of Threatened Species, which assesses
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• The objectives of conservation and requirements for their achievement
• 2. Maintenance of essential ecological processes and life-support
systems
• 3. Preservation of genetic diversity
• 4. Sustainable utilization of species and ecosystems
• 5. Priority requirements: ecological process and life-support systems
• 6. Priority requirements: genetic diversity
• 7. Priority requirements: sustainable utilization
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• There are two types of conversation methods
• In-situ Conversation
• Ex-Situ Conversation
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• In-situ conservation means "on-site
conservation".
• It is the process of protecting an endangered plant
or animal species in its natural habitat or
• Either by protecting or cleaning up the habitat
itself, or by defending the species from predators.
• The natural surroundings or the entire ecosystems
is protected and maintained so that all the
constituent species are conserved and benefited.
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1. National Park & Sanctuaries:
These are usually small reserves meant
for the protection of large number of species.
2. Natural Reserves or Biosphere Reserves:
Large protected area with
boundaries properly identified by legislation.
Strategies of In-Situ Conservation
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How many Tiger reserves in India
They are 28 Tiger Reserves are governed by
Project Tiger, and are of special significance
in the conservation of the tiger
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1. Best strategy for long
term protection of
biodiversity.
2. It is cheaper to protect
populations in their
natural habitat.
3. Reduces the cost of
conservation to a large
extent
1. Protected areas are not
always large enough and
not well maintained.
2. Many protected areas
often used for tourism.
3. Required large areas to
preserve
Advantages & Disadvantages
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4. For herbivores there has
to plenty of vegetation.
5. Large number of animals
protected and
maintained.
6. Natural disaster provides
an opportunity to
organism to adjust the
conditions
4. Involves lot of human
activity
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1. Ex-situ conservation means literally, "off-site
conservation".
2. It is the process of protecting an endangered species of
plant or animal outside of its natural habitat;
3. for example, by removing part of the population from
a threatened habitat and placing it in a new location,
which may be a wild area or within the care of
humans.
4. While ex-situ conservation comprises some of the
oldest and best known conservation methods, it also
involves newer, sometimes controversial laboratory
methods
Ex-situ conservation
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5. Zoos and botanical gardens are the most
conventional methods of ex-situ conservation,
6. Endangered animal species are preserved
using similar techniques
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1. Identification of Species for ex-situ
conservation.
2. Long Term captive breeding.
3. Short –term propagation and release
4. Animal translocation.
5. Advanced technology in service of
endangered species
6. Establishment of botanical gardens and zoos.
Strategies of Ex-Situ Conservation
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1. Habitat conservation is a land management
practice that seeks to conserve, protect and
restore, habitat areas for wild plants and
animals, especially conservation reliant
species, and prevent their extinction,
fragmentation or reduction in range.
2. It is a priority of many groups that cannot be
easily characterized in terms of any one
ideology
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3. Some of the conservation movement's goals
are to protect habitats and promote continued
recreational opportunities for people such as
hiking, bird watching, fishing and hunting.
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Human &Animal Conflict
1. Human wildlife conflict is one of the main
threats to the continued survival of many parts of
the world.
2. As human population expand and natural
habitats shrink, people and animals increasingly
coming into conflict for living spcae and food.
3. There are possibilities that entire population of
endangered species may wipe out because of
war caused by human
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• Human-wildlife conflict refers to the
interaction between wild animals and people
and the resultant negative impact on people or
their resources, or wild animals or their habitat.
• It occurs when wildlife needs overlap with
those of human populations, creating costs to
residents and wild animals
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connect
Vipul Ved Prakash
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• Apple has bought Topsy Labs, a social media
analytics firm co-founded by Indian Americans
Rishab Aiyer Ghosh and Vipul Ved Prakash, for
over $200 million.
The company tracks trending topics on
microblogging site Twitter and other social media
networks. Topsy has analysed all tweets since
2006 and recently announced a free search engine
for tweets.
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• 4.3.3 State and explain the criteria used
to design protected areas.
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What are protected area?
• Protected areas are locations which
receive protection because of their
recognised natural, ecological and/or
cultural values.
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Design of Protected Areas
• The design of protected areas is an important
field of research in conservation biology.
• The essential questions involve criteria for the
size, shape, and positioning of protected areas
to optimize their ability to protect biodiversity.
• Conservation biologists recommend that
protected areas be as large and numerous as
possible.
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What is a biosphere reserve?
• Biosphere reserves are areas of terrestrial and
coastal ecosystems promoting solutions to
reconcile the conservation of biodiversity with
its sustainable use.
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Criteria criteria used to design protected areas
• Area
• Edge effects
• Shape
• Corridor
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AREA
• Larger reserves as one large area can
support more species than several smaller
species.
• Because large reserves have more habitats
and can support more top carnivores.
• Larger reserves have higher population
numbers of each species and greater
stability
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What is Edge Effects?
• At the edge of a protected area there is a
change in abiotic components.
• This change includes more wind, more
warmth, and less humid conditions
compared to the interior of the reserve.
• These are called edge effects.
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• In ecology, edge effects refer to the changes
in population or community structures that
occur at the boundary of two habitats
• Areas with small habitat fragments exhibit
especially pronounced edge effects that may
extend throughout the range.
• As the edge effects increase, the boundary
habitat allows for greater biodiversity.
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• Edge effects will attract species that are not
found deeper in the reserve but that survive
successfully in the edge conditions.
• Edge effects may also attract exotic species
from outside the reserve.
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SHAPE
• The best shape for a reserve is a circle
because this has the high edge effects.
• In practice the shape is determined by what
is available and where the habitats to be
conserved are located
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Corridors
• Corridors join up area of a reserve that are
surrounded by disturbed areas.
• Corridors HAVE MANY BENEFITS
• Corridors allow gene flow through
movement of animals in and out of the area.
• Corridors also allow the movement of large
mammals and top carnivores between
separated parts of the reserve.
• Illegal hunters can also more easily move
from one reserve to another
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Buffer zones
• Buffer zones are areas created to enhance the
protection of a conservation area, often
peripheral to it, inside or outside
• These areas minimize disturbance from
outside influences such as people agriculture.
• For example a nearby town or extensive
disturbance such as logging can directly impact
a protected area if it not surrounded by an area
that buffers
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• 4.3.4 Evaluate the success of a named
protected area
• Danum Valley Conservation Area in
Malaysia as an example of a protected area.
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Problems………………
…..
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Controversy over the design of protected
areas involves the following key elements:
1.Populations in larger protected areas should
have a smaller risk of extinction, compared to
those in smaller reserves.
2.However, if there are populations in several
different reserves, the redundancy might
prevent extinction in the event of a
catastrophic loss in one reserve.
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• Reserves can also be designed to have
less edge habitat.
1.This refers to transitions
between ecosystem types, such as that
between a forest and a field.
2.Edge habitat is often penetrated
by invasive species and predators,
which can become important problems in
some protected areas.
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1) For many ecological functions to
operate well, there must be
connections among habitats. This is
particularly true of the dispersal of
plants and animals.
2) This need can be accommodated if
protected areas are linked by
corridors of suitable habitat, or if
they are clumped close together.
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STRENGTH WEAKNESS
Simpler to focus on1 species at a
time than on many species
Not ecologically sound:
Media high profile species
Eg:elephant,tiger
Media doesn't work with obscure
Research easier to focus on a
single species
Research needs context of the
whole environment
Focus on genetic and species
diversity
Ignores community and ecosystem
biodiversity
Easier to control trade(CITES) Controversy with CITES-ban vs.
controlled trade e.g. elephants and
ivory
Only need key species How do you decide on key species
STRENGTH & WEAKNESS OF
CONSERVING SINGLE SPECIES
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• 1.Creating Biodiversity hotspot
• 2.Habitat creation
• 3.Breed in Captivity
• 4.Habitat Management
• 5.Reintroduction
5 Ways
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1.Creating Biodiversity hotspots
• A biodiversity hotspot is
a biogeographic region with a significant
reservoir of biodiversity that is under
threat from humans.
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2.Habitat creation
1. National Parks, Biosphere Reserves,
zoological parks and botanical gardens and
sanctuaries work as protected areas for
wild life.
2. They help in conserving the wild life in
their wild state. Besides being the
protected habitats of various species, they
are also good places to take a tour of.
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3.Breed in Captivity
1. Breed endangered species in captivity in
places such as zoos and animal parks.
2. Once the young animals reach maturity,
they can be released into the wild where
they can continue to increase the
population.
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4.Habitat Management
1. Habitat Management refers to taking care
of the habitat of the wildlife.
2. Study of different kind of habitats, devising
ways of protecting it, its preservation and
regular checking of these habitats through
census and statistical data help a great
deal in working out a plan of action in
managing a habitat and the species.
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5.Reintroduction
1. Several endangered species were allowed
to reproduce and flourish in places and
habitats that suited them.
2. These places were similar to their original
habitats. Later, they were introduced to
protected areas such as parks and
reserves and also to their original habitats
after they were found fit to fight for
survival.
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• 4.3.5 Discuss and evaluate the strengths and
weaknesses of the species-based approach
to conservation
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What is the species-based approach to conservation?
• The species-based approach to conservation
is an approach that focuses on specific
individual species that are vulnerable.
• The aim is to attract interest in their
conservation.
• The species-based approach attracts
attention, and therefore funding for
conservation, and can successfully preserve
a species in zoos and botanic gardens.
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Identify this Indian animal
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The Indian giant squirrel, or Malabar giant squirrel
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Evaluation of CITES
Some strengths of CITES include:
• It is supported by many countries (178) and
it protects many species (ca. 35 000).
• It is legally binding and so countries that
have signed the convention must accept its
conditions.
• The treaty works across international
borders.
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Limitations of CITES include:
• It does not replace national laws; countries that
have signed the agreement must make their own
laws to ensure that CITES is put into practice at
national level.
• It is difficult to enforce.
• Fines are relatively small and may not stop
poaching and smuggling.
• In some countries it is only weakly supported and
is not very effective. Despite the agreement, illegal
hunting still occurs.
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• Evaluation of captive breeding,
reintroduction programmes, and zoos
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There are many strengths to modern zoos:
• Education of the public about species and
conservation
• Research in zoos increases the knowledge of
individual species
• Zoos allow species to be held while habitats are
being restored.
• Weaknesses of zoos include:
• Possibility that captive animals may be unable to
adapt to being back in the wild Some people object
to animals being kept in captivity for profit
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Which is the biggest national park in the
World?
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Which is the biggest Zoo in the World?
Monarto Zoological Park in Australia
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Weaknesses of captive breeding and
reintroduction programmes include:
• They do not directly conserve natural habitat
diversity of the species
• Not all species breed easily in captivity, for
example giant pandas
• Captive animals released into the wild may
be easy prey for predators.
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Created
By
K.Guru Charan kumar
IB ESS Teacher
550Guru IB ESS Biodiversity & Conservation

IB ESS Topic 4: Conservation and biodiversity

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IB ESS Topic 4: Conservation and biodiversity