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Conservation
Learning Objectives
Distinguish between the terms conservation and
preservation
Explain that conservation is a dynamic process
involving management and reclamation
Discuss the economic, social and ethical reasons for
conservation of biological resources
Biodiversity
Conservation efforts concentrate on
maintaining both species and genetic
biodiversity
The increasing human population threatens
wild populations through exploitation
for………………
Food e.g. the north sea cod
Sport e.g. sharks
Released species e.g. the coypu
may lead to other populations
becoming threatened
Agriculture, pollution and
building may cause habitat
disruption and fragmentation
Conservation or Preservation?
• Conservation is the maintenance of
biodiversity (between species and
genetic diversity within species) and of
a variety of habitats and ecosystems.
It carries a social and economic cost for
the local community.
• Preservation is the protection of areas
that as yet are unused/untouched by
humans
Conservation Management
Strategies
• Increase carrying capacity by providing
more food
• Control predators (including humans)
• Control movement of organisms by fencing
• Disease control and prevention
• Prevent pollution or other disruptive
forces
• Remove unwanted species and recolonise
areas with native species
The Galapagos Islands
An example of conservation in
action
Objectives
Outline, with examples, the effects
of human activities on the animal and
plant populations in the Galapagos
Islands
• Charles Darwin’s visit to
the Galapagos in 1835
provided the stimulus
for his theory of Natural
selection.
The Galapagos Islands form part of one
of the best conserved archipelagos. In
1978 they were allocated World Heritage
Site status by the U.N.
The fauna and flora of these
islands is now world famous
The dramatic
increase in
population size
on these island
has produced
huge demands
on the island’s
resources
Tortoises have been used as a food
source by sailors and introduced species
such as goats have had a devastating
effect on the island’s wildlife
A rapidly developing tourism
trade has had a major impact on
the islands
Task
Carry out detailed research on the
Galapagos Islands and then write an in
depth advert for a conservationist to
move there and dedicate their life to
preserving the ecosystem. You need to
include the reasons specifically that
conservation is essential on these
islands because of the problems of
human intervention.