4.

3 Conservation and Biodiversity

ESS 2015
 Assessment Statements

• 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.
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.
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)
 Intrinsic Value
 Human Rights(Indigenous home)
CONSERVATION STRATEGIES

• Legislation to protect endangered

species and conserve habitats
(CITES. UNEP, UNESCO)
• Zoos, captive breeding programs
and possible release
• Botanic gardens and seed banks
• Nature reserves to preserve habitats
and hopefully species
4.3.2 Compare and contrast the role and activities of
intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations in
preserving and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity.

 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))
Comparing organizations that
strive to conserve biodiversity.
(GO’s vs NGO’s)

• Compare and contrast the role and activities of United

Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), WWF and
Greenpeace in preserving and restoring ecosystems and
biodiversity.
– Use the websites to find the mission statements of each organization
as well as how the organizations operate.
– Compare the mission statements. Which are Ecocentric?
Technocentric? Anthropocentric?
– Compare in terms of:
• use of the media
• speed of response
• diplomatic constraints
• political influence.
4.3.2 Compare and contrast the role and activities of
intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations in
preserving and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity.

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.

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.

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.

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.

 If multiple, should be close together

and have corridors to help re-
colonize 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

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

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.
Case History-Natural Area

• A. Identify a natural area of biological significance

that is threatened by human activities
• B. Identify factors that are causing degradation of
the area
• C. Identify the consequences of the destruction of
this natural area.