Download Biological Diversity Topic 8

Pains and Gains
Topic 8
Strategies to Conserve Biodiversity
1. Protected Areas
a) In-Situ Conservation: maintenance of
populations of wild organisms in their
functioning ecosystems.
Example: Banff National Park allows organisms
undisturbed in their natural habitats
What’s the problem with it?
• Species with large roaming areas like caribou,
bears and wolves.
Solution? Protected corridors linking
protected areas allows for
movement and exchange
Strategies to Conserve Biodiversity
2. Restoration of Ecosystems and Species
a) Initiative to restore damaged ecosystems so that
endangered species can thrive again.
Example: Nature Conservation of Canada
Example: Ann and Sandy Cross Conservation Center
in Calgary South
Strategies to Conserve Biodiversity
3. Resource Use Policies
a) Federal and Provincial laws to protect species
that are endangered or threatened.
b) Protection from hunting, capture, picking or
transplanting
c) Goal: “prevent species in Canada from becoming
extinct as a consequence of human activity.”
Strategies to Conserve Biodiversity
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjrecaegVBo&feature=related
4. Controlling the Spread of Exotic Species
Example: Purple loosestrife invading wetlands, grows
faster than other species, no natural enemies.
This has decreased the size and diversity of
natural species.
Strategies to Conserve Biodiversity
5. Conservation of Genetic Resources
Ex-Situ Conservation
•
Conservation of components of biological diversity
outside of a natural habitat
Examples - Seed banks: gather and store seeds from
plants that are threatened with extinction.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zps8MnC3FcA&feature=relat
ed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3xE8k9_W1I
• Zoos: Act as educational institutions. They are also
involved in protecting and raising endangered
species and then exchanging animals between zoos.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qoupi2hxGrM
Calgary zoo master plan
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_NKIYegi7c
Swift fox
• http://www.cbc.ca/doczone/episodes/seasonlaunch-zoo-revolution
Zoo Revolution
Thursday, October 3, 2013 at 9 PM on CBC-TV
Review Questions
1. What is in-situ conservation? How does it
preserve biological diversity?
2. Why is it important to protect networks of
ecosystems and habitats?
3. Why do exotic species have such an impact on
local ecosystems? Why are exotic species, such
as loosestrife, a threat to biological diversity?
4. What is the value of preserving the seed of wild
plant ancestors and other varieties of crop
plants grown today?