1. 4.3 Conservation and Biodiversity
ESS 2015

2. 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

3. 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. 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)

5. 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

6. 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))

7. Comparing organizations that strive to conserve biodiversity
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.

8. 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.

9. Maintain ecological processes or life support systems
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 with the objectives of:
Maintain ecological processes or life support systems
Preserve genetic diversity
Ensure sustainable utilization of species and ecosystems

10. NGOs (WWF, Greenpeace):
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

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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.

15. 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.