10.3.4 conservation & Endangered Species

• What is an endangered species?

  A species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future
• What are the main reasons species might become endangered or extinct?

  • Climate change
  • Pollution
  • Habitat destruction (e.g., deforestation or over-harvesting)
  • Hunting
  • Introduction of a different species
  • Introduction of a disease into the habitat
• Why might we want to protect certain species or conserve environments?

  1. Prevent species from becoming extinct
  2. Ensure biodiversity and genetic variation
  3. Maintain ecosystems for food and medicine production
  4. Ensure ecosystems can recycle nutrients naturally
  5. Protect vulnerable environments
  6. Maintain food chains and food webs
• What are some methods to conserve species and environments?

  1. Captive breeding programmes in zoos
  2. Making areas nature reserves or national parks
  3. Employing rangers and wardens
  4. Banning hunting of key species
  5. Protecting habitats (e.g., planting more trees)
  6. Removing predators/competitors
  7. Educating the public about endangered species
  8. Encouraging ecotourism
• What happens in a captive breeding programme?

  • Endangered animals and plants are kept in controlled conditions.
  • They are kept outside their natural habitat in zoos, aquariums, etc.
  • It helps introduce a healthy generation of the species.
  • Often uses artificial insemination (AI) or in-vitro fertilisation (IVF).
• What is a sustainable resource?

  A sustainable resource is produced as rapidly as it is removed from the environment so that it does not run out.
• What are some methods to maintain fish stocks?

  1. Fish net size regulations
  2. Size of fishing boat regulated
  3. Quotas for fishing
  4. Regulating fishing times (e.g., no fishing during reproduction season)
  5. Ban on fishing of some species
  6. Nature reserves (no fishing in some areas)
  7. Fines for illegal fishing
  8. Captive breeding of wild fish and re-stocking
  9. Education and raising awareness

  10. International agreements