Maintaining biodiversity

• conservation

  = preservation and careful management of the environment and of natural resources.

  • conserving natural habitats in an area, organisms' chances of survival are maintained, allowing them to reproduce.
• In situ conservation

  = conservation within an organisms' natural habitat, allows a species to be in the environment it's best adapted for- can continue to evolve, continue interdependent relationships.
• in situ 


  -wildlife reserves= active management

  • controlled grazing= only allowing livestock to graze on areas for a certain period, control number of organisms.
  • restricting human access= eg: not allowing visits to beaches during seal reproductive season, providing pathways.
  • controlling poaching= creating defences to prevent access, fines, removal of rhino horns.
• continued

  • feeding animals= more organisms survive to reproduction age.
  • reintroduction of species= adding species back to an area they were extinct from.
  • removal of invasive species= species that isn't native to an area and has a negative effect.
  • halting succession= is a natural process in which early colonising species are replaced over time until a stable mature population is achieved.
• in situ

  marine conservation zones:

  • vital in preserving species, rich areas like coral reefs, which are being devastated by non- sustainable fishing methods.
  • create areas of refuge within which populations can build up and repopulate adjacent areas.
  • large areas needed for species to move large distances or breed in different areas.
• ex situ conservation

  = conservation out of an organisms natural habitat.
• seed banks


  = seeds are stored so new plants can be grown in the future, they are dried and stored at temperatures of -20 to maintain their viability by slowing down the rate at which seeds germinate.
• captive breeding programmes


  = produce offspring in a human-controlled environment, aims to create stable, healthy populations of species, then gradually reintroduce the species back into it's natural habitat.

  • provides shelter, food, absence of predators, breeding partners.
  • however only a small number of breeding partners leads to interbreeding- so mating is arranged to ensure genetic diversity is maximised- artificial insemination, embryo transfer allow for new genetic lines.
• ex- situ

  some animals in captivity not suitable to be released:

  • disease= loss of resistance to local diseases, new diseases may exist in wild, which captive animals haven't developed a resistance to.
  • behaviour= some behaviour is innate, learned through copying or experience. Food now hidden in cages.
  • genetic races= genetic make up of captive animals can become too different from original population, so they can't interbreed.
  • habitat= natural habitat restored 1st to allow populations to be introduced again.
• conservations agreement

  CITES= aims to control trade of endangered species+ associated products. Appendix 1= species that face greatest risk of extinction. Appendix 2= species not currently endangered but will be.

  • trading regulations. Appendix 1= all trade banned. Appendix 2= export permit needed.

  CBD= conservation of biological diversity. Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources.

  • design+ implement national strategies, organise international cooperation.
• UNFCCC= climate change, stabilise greenhouse gas concentration within atmosphere.

  UNCCD= combat desertification, prevent transformation of fertile land into desert and reduce effects of drought.

  Countryside stewardship schemes= sustaining beauty and diversity, improving and sustaining wildlife habitats, restoring neglected land, improving opportunities for countryside enjoyment.

  • financial incentives given to farmers from the government.