3. Biodiversity and Conservation

What is biodiversity and why is it important?

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in all its forms, including species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity. It is important because it ensures ecosystem stability, resilience, and the provision of essential ecosystem services.

What are the three levels of biodiversity?

The three levels of biodiversity are:

1. Genetic diversity – the variation of genes within species.

2. Species diversity – the variety of species within a habitat or ecosystem.

3. Ecosystem diversity – the variety of ecosystems in a given area.

What is species richness and how is it measured?

Species richness refers to the number of different species in an ecosystem or area. It is measured by counting the total number of species present, without considering their relative abundance.

What is the concept of endemic species?

Endemic species are species that are found only in a specific geographical area and are not naturally found anywhere else in the world.

What is species evenness in the context of biodiversity?

Species evenness refers to how evenly individuals are distributed among the species in an ecosystem. A higher evenness indicates that species populations are more equally distributed.

What is habitat fragmentation, and how does it affect biodiversity?

Habitat fragmentation occurs when large habitats are broken into smaller, isolated patches. It reduces biodiversity by limiting species' ability to move, find resources, and reproduce, increasing the risk of extinction.

What are the main causes of biodiversity loss?

The main causes of biodiversity loss are:

1. Habitat destruction and fragmentation.

2. Pollution (air, water, soil).

3. Overexploitation of resources (overfishing, hunting).

4. Climate change.

5. Invasive species.

What is the IUCN Red List, and how is it used in conservation?

The IUCN Red List is a global inventory of the conservation status of species. It categorizes species based on their risk of extinction, ranging from "Least Concern" to "Critically Endangered" and helps guide conservation efforts.

What is natural selection, and what is an example of it in action?

Natural selection is the process by which organisms with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.
Example: The peppered moth in England changed color from light to dark during the Industrial Revolution due to pollution darkening tree bark. Darker moths were better camouflaged from predators, increasing their survival and reproduction.

What is speciation, and how does it occur?

Speciation is the formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution. It typically occurs when populations become geographically isolated and undergo genetic divergence over time due to mutation, natural selection, and genetic drift, eventually becoming reproductively isolated.

What are protected areas, and why are they important?

Protected areas are geographic regions that are legally designated to conserve biodiversity. They are crucial for preserving ecosystems, preventing habitat destruction, and protecting endangered species.

What is ecotourism, and how can it contribute to conservation?

Ecotourism is responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and sustains the well-being of local people. It can generate revenue for conservation, raise awareness about biodiversity, and promote sustainable practices.

What is the convention on biological diversity (CBD)?

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international treaty aimed at conserving biodiversity, promoting sustainable use of natural resources, and ensuring the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources.

What is the difference between biological conservation and cultural conservation?

Biological conservation focuses on preserving species and ecosystems, while cultural conservation aims to protect human traditions, practices, and heritage that are often interlinked with biodiversity, such as indigenous knowledge about ecosystems.

Name three species that have gone extinct due to human activity and explain why.

• Dodo (Raphus cucullatus) – Extinct due to overhunting by humans and predation by introduced species on Mauritius.

• Passenger pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) – Extinct due to massive-scale hunting and habitat loss in North America.

• Tasmanian tiger (Thylacine) – Extinct from hunting, habitat destruction, and competition with introduced dogs in Australia.

What is the precautionary principle in conservation?

The precautionary principle states that if an action or policy has the potential to cause harm to biodiversity or the environment, in the absence of scientific consensus, the burden of proof falls on those advocating for the action, and the action should not be taken.

What is the difference between natural and anthropogenic causes of species extinction?

Natural causes of extinction include environmental changes, natural disasters, and evolutionary processes. Anthropogenic causes are human-induced factors such as habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, and overexploitation of resources.

What are conservation strategies used to protect biodiversity?

• Habitat restoration to restore damaged ecosystems.

• Establishing protected areas to safeguard species.

• Captive breeding programs to increase populations of endangered species.

• Sustainable resource management to reduce human impact on ecosystems.