2. Conservation of Biodiversity

• Importance of Conserving Biodiversity 


  Human survival in dependant on numerous other species on the planet, in terms of ecological services and resources

  e.g. Resources, ecosystem services, interspecies relationships, biomimetics, genetic resources
• Biological Resources - Food

  • 75% of the worlds food is generated from only 12 plants and 5 animal species, though over 2000 species are used as food sources
  • Indigenous species are usually better adapted than introduced species
  • Selective breeding (genetic modification) has enhanced desirable characteristics and eliminate undesirable ones
• Biomimetics

  • Using the knowledge of adaptations of other species to improve the designs of manufactured items
  • Current areas of biomimetic research include transport design, infection control, architecture, adhesion, materials, medicines and physiological research
• Genetic Resources

  • Many populations of wild plants have genetic characteristics that may be used in breeding programmes to improve cultivated crops
  • Domesticated crops often lack genetic diversity
  • There is a search for Crop Wild Relatives (CWR) for interbreeding with commercial crops
• Gene pool Problems

  • A gene-pool is all the genetic variety within a population
  • Domesticated species have small gene pools (bred from a small number of ancestors)
  • This makes them vulnerable to the environmental changes and disease
• Ecosystem Services

  The benefits provided by ecosystems that contribute to making human life both possible and worth living

  • Atmospheric Composition
  • Hydrological Cycle
  • Biogeochemical Cycles
  • Soil Maintenance
• Ecosystem Services - Interspecies Relationships

  No species can live in ecological isolation because their survival relies on other species for a range of resources and ecological services

  • Food - all heterotrophs rely on other organisms as a source of energy and nutrients
  • Pollination
  • Seed Dispersal
  • Habitat Provision
• Direct threats to biodiversity

  • Food
  • Fashion
  • Entertainment
  • Furniture and Ornaments
  • Traditional Medicines
• Indirect threats to biodiversity

  • Eradication of predators and competition
  • Changes to abiotic factors
  • Changes to biotic factors
  • Introduced species
  • Habitat Destruction
• Direct exploitation - Food

  Many species have been overexploited as a food resource e.g. dodos, carrier pigeons, turtles, Atlantic cod
• Direct exploitation - Fashion

  Many species have been overexploited as a fashion resource e.g. crocodiles, snakes, mink
• Direct exploitation - Entertainment

  Sea world - Orcas

  Zoos
• Direct Exploitation - Furniture and ornaments

  Ivory - Pianos, Ornamental design

  Woods - tables
• Direct exploitation - Traditional Medicines

  Tigers

  Rhinos

  Seahorses
• Indirect exploitation - eradication of predators and competitors

  • Wolves in the new forest
  • Badgers by farmers for spreading diseases onto cows
  • Locusts
  • Adders
  • Deer
• Indirect exploitation - Changes in Abiotic Factors 


  Human activities may alter but not destroy a habitat. Organisms may not be adapted to the new conditions, as they are outside their range of tolerances.
• Indirect exploitation - changes in Biotic Factors 


  An organisms survival is interdependent with other species
• Indirect exploitation - introduced species

  Indigenous species are adapted to the abiotic and biotic conditions of their surroundings. Introduced species may have adaptations that give them a greater chance of survival
• Wildlife conservation

  Wildlife conservation involves the interference with the habitats and populations of a species. Too many species are in decline. we cannot save them all.
• Species have to be prioritised. This is done by asking certain questions:

  • What is the species current situation?
  • How would conserving that species effect other species?
  • What actions would be required?
  • Can the outcomes be accurately predicted?
  • Can the impacts be monitored accurately?
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

  • Categorises species according to their vulnerability to extinction (The IUCN Red List)
  • Unknown, Least concern, Near Threatened, Vulnerable, Endangered, Critically endangered, Extinct in the wild, extinct
• Threat to a species' habitat

  The more threatened a species' habitat is, the more at threat the species is. Their status may be used as an indicator for the entire ecosystem.
• Evolutionary uniqueness

  Species with few close evolutionary relatives are categorised as 'EDGE species' (Evolutionary Distinct and Globally Endangered).
• Endemic Species

  • only found in one geographic area
  • Many endemic species are found on oceanic islands
• Keystone species 


  Play an important role in maintaining the ecological structure of a community
• Flagship species

  A flagship species is a species with a high public profile such as pandas. By conserving flagship species, other species benefit too.
• Population dispersal

  Habitats may become more fragmented due to roads and urbanisation. Populations in fragmented habitats may not survive due to insufficient resources or small gene pools. Species may also only be found in one area.
• Legislation and Protocols

  • Legal protection of habitats and species: the Wildlife and Countryside act (1981) is a UK law that protects UK wildlife
  • Trade Controls: Preventing species from being moved out of a country can prevent them from being caught or killed
  • Convention on international trade of endangered species (CITES): international agreement to prevent the trade of wildlife, depending on its conservation status. Species fall into "Appendices"
• Wildlife and Countryside Act

  Designates protected areas (e.g. SSSIs and MCZs). Protects particular species.
• CITIES

  • Appendix 1: Endangered species which cannot be traded at all
  • Appendix 2: Threatened species which can only be traded if the importer/exporter has a permit
  • Appendix 3: Vulnerable species which cannot be traded in certain countries
• Sustainable Exploitation

  • International Whaling Commission (IWC) regulates and manages whaling
  • Common Fisheries Policy of the EU regulates the fishing in EU territories to ensure they are environmentally economically and socially sustainable
  • The International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) aims for the sustainable management of tropical rainforests
• Captive Breeding Programmes

  For some species, in-situ conservation will not ensure their survival.

  Ex-situ conservation can be used. Many factors influence this decision:

  • is the wild population threatened?
  • is there a genetically diverse captive population?
  • is in-situ conservation successful?
  • is keeping a captive population realistic?

  Due to species' habitat requirements, keeping them in captivity can be difficult.
• Conditions for breeding 


  Breeding is often triggered by environmental stimuli (e.g. amount of stored body fat/sunlight)
• Population interactions 


  Breeding pairs may need to be isolated from non-breeding pairs
• Breeding habitat


  Breeding can only take place in a suitable habitat
• Gene pool size 


  Captive populations have small gene pools, this can lead to a build up of harmful genes
• Hybridisation 


  Inter-breeding with closely related species may occur, hybrids usually have lower chances of survival and/or are sterile
• Cryopreservation 


  the freezing of gametes or embryos. Offspring can be produced without the parents meeting. can be stored for many years.
• Artificial Insemination 


  collecting and inserting semen into a female. This avoids transportation of the male, injury from mating and non-acceptance of farming.
• Embryo Transfer 


  Transferring embryos to a surrogate mother, often of a closely related species.