L3 - conserving biodiversity
Cards (13)
- Keystone species: a species which has a disproportionately large effect on its natural environment
- Reasons to maintain biodiversity:-ecological-economic-ethical-social and aesthetic
- Ecological:-the species that can be supported in the region
- Economic:-how the region can provide trade and income
- Social and aesthetic:-how the region affects lifestyle-how the region appears
- Ethical:-whether an action is morally right or wrong
- Ecological reasons to maintain biodiversity:-minimises disruption to food chains and nutrient cycles (worms are very important)-protect keystone species (usually a small population)-genetic resource as plants and animals are the source of virtually all food, clothing, drugs and fuels
- Economic reasons to maintain biodiversity:-natural systems provide services such as soil fertilisation, recycling of nutrients, and growth of timber, food and fuel-ecotourism leads to local economy stimulated
- Ethical reasons to maintain biodiversity:-species become extinct as a result of human action-humans have a responsibility to maintain species, ecosystems and habitats for future generations-species need to be saved for future generations-all organisms have a right to survive and live in the way to which they have become adapted
- Social and aesthetic reasons to maintain biodiversity:-people enjoy beautiful landscapes, visiting wild places, and observing wildlife-the large animals are sustained by an interdependent web which includes a huge number of species-wellbeing (physical, intellectual and emotional health)
- Conservation: maintaining biodiversity through human action or management
- Preservation: restricting or banning human interference (must remain pristine)
- Preservation vs conservation - what’s the difference:-conservation is an active process that involves active/sustainable management of habitats and species in them-preservation leaves ecosystems/habitats undisturbed