B6 Increasing Biodiversity

B6 Increasing Biodiversity

First a quick summary of how biodiversity is being lost...

• Deforestation

• Agriculture

  –Removal of hedges

  –Pesticides killing insect species

  –Herbicides killing plant species

• Hunting and fishing

• Pollution, e.g. burning fossil fuels, and eutrophication caused by fertilisers. 

Multiple Choice

Which of the following involves the use of chemicals to kill insects (both pest and beneficial)?

• Deforestation

• Herbicides

• Pesticides

• Fertilisers

Multiple Choice

Which of the following can cause eutrophication if it gets washed into lakes?

• Deforestation

• Herbicides

• Pesticides

• Fertilisers

This shows some of the different conservation methods that can be used to increase the biodiversity of an area

Nature reserves

Just for fun, how many of our Nature Reserves you can recognise :)

Multiple Choice

Which of these is the Stiperstones?

Fill in the Blanks

Multiple Choice

Which of these is Giant's Causeway?

Nature Reserves

Have a think: what sort of things would you do to protect the biodiversity in this area?

Nature reserves

• Nature reserves could be marine, aquatic (freshwater) or terrestrial (land)).

• They are actively managed to conserve wildlife.

• On the next few slides we'll take a look at some of the methods that can be used.

Controlled grazing

• Animals are only allowed to graze for a certain period of time.

• This allows plant species time to recover in-between grazing. 

Restriction of human access

• This is often through the use of paths.

• This limits where people can walk and hopefully limits damage to the environment.

Feeding

• This ensures that more animals survive to reproductive age and helps to maintain populations.

Reintroduction of species

• Individuals of a species are added into an area, either to boost numbers or to reintroduce a species that was previously lost.

• The slide shows a beaver that has been reintroduced into an area where they previously had been lost.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following methods of conservation gives plant species time to recover?

• Restriction of human access using paths

• Controlled grazing

• Feeding animals

• Reintroduction of species

Multiple Choice

Which of the following methods is used to prevent the trampling of plant species?

• Restriction of human access using paths

• Controlled grazing

• Feeding animals

• Reintroduction of species

Multiple Choice

Which of the following methods is used to boost reproductive rates?

• Restriction of human access using paths

• Controlled grazing

• Feeding animals

• Reintroduction of species

Tourism

• Large numbers of human visitors can lead to habitats being lost or destroyed.

• However, tourism brings in money, which can be used to support natural wildlife

Ecotourism

• Ecotourism aims to ensure that tourism does not have a negative impact on the natural environment

• It aims to support conservation, whilst allowing people to observe wildlife.

• Tourists are often restricted to certain areas, and are asked to keep to footpaths.

Ecotourism

• Despite these controls, ecotourism can have a negative impact on the ecosystem.

• Tourist movements such as the repeated use of hiking trails, or vehicles carrying tourists, may contribute to soil erosion and other habitat changes.

Captive breeding

• Animals are bred in human-controlled environments, e.g. zoos or aquariums.

• Animals have shelter, nutritious food, veterinary care and a predator free environment.

• Breeding partners can be shared between zoos. 

Captive breeding

• The aim is to create a healthy population for reintroduction into the wild. 

• ...BUT organisms that have been reared in captivity may not be able to survive in the wild. 

• Genetic diversity can also be a problem when a small number of individuals are being bred together.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following aims to increase the populations of species in the wild?

• Ecotourism

• Captive breeding programmes

Multiple Choice

Which of these is an example of ecotourism?

• Setting up monkey parks in the UK.

• Allowing people to sponsor endangered animals.

• Encouraging people to view animals in their natural environment.

• Educating children about the benefits of conservation.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a problem associated with the reintroduction of captive bred individuals?

• They might not have resistance to diseases

• They might not have the skills needed to find food

• They might not know how to avoid predators

• They will learn how to integrate into wild populations