3.4 Conservation of Biodiversity

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What is the CITES treaty?

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The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement aimed at ensuring that international trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

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What is an example of a violation of the CITES treaty?

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Selling tiger skins is a violation of the CITES treaty.

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What does ethical value in conservation refer to?

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Ethical value refers to the importance of protecting areas to promote sustainable development for future generations and the right of individuals or species to exist.

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How can the reintroduction of wolves affect ecosystems?

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The reintroduction of wolves can change the behavior of prey species, such as elk, leading to reduced grazing in certain areas, which allows vegetation to grow and stabilize riverbanks.

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What is the significance of protected area shape in conservation?

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The shape of protected areas can influence their effectiveness; for example, more compact shapes (like B) can reduce edge effects and improve habitat quality.

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What are Captive Breeding Programs?

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Programs that breed animals in captivity with the goal of releasing them back into their natural habitats to help increase population numbers.

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What is biodiversity?

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Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, including the diversity of species, genetic variation, and ecosystem diversity.

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Why is biodiversity important?

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Biodiversity is crucial for ecosystem stability, resilience, and the provision of ecosystem services such as clean air, water, and pollination.

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What is habitat destruction?

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Habitat destruction is the process in which natural habitat becomes incapable of supporting its native species, often due to human activities like deforestation and urbanization.

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What role do keystone species play in an ecosystem?

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Keystone species are species that have a disproportionately large effect on their environment relative to their abundance, helping to maintain the structure of the ecosystem.