Endangered Species & Conservation methods

Define the term “endangered”

A species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future

Why might a species become endangered”

• Climate Change

• Destruction of Habitat

• Over farming and Excessive Hunting (Poaching)

• Introduction of invasive species (species that does not belong to their enviroment and is competing for resources)

• Introduction of new diseases

How can we work to conserve these endangered species?

• Set up national parks/reserves to protect species from hunters

• Place fines on hunting specific species

• Employ guards to prevent illegal poaching

• Educate people on the dangers of species extinction

• Set up seed banks (preserve endangered plant species)

• Reduce Pollution & Burning of fossil fuels

• Remove invasive competitors/predators

• Reduce deforestation + protect habitat (planting more tress)

• Set up captive breeding programs to ensure steady reproduction of endangered species

What is a seed bank?

A seed bank is a location where scientists take samples of endangered plants and freeze them to preserve their DNA

What are captive breeding programs?

Captive breeding programs involve taking animals out of their natural habitat and placing them in controlled conditions like zoos/aquariums to monitor their health and reproduction rate, so that a healthy generation of the species can be introduced into the world

What are some medical ways to encourage reproduction?

• IVF (In-vitro fertilisation) = external lab process

• AI (Artificial Insemnation) = occurs internally

Describe the process of AI (Artificial Insemnation)

• The male gamete (the sperm) is extracted from the male organism and inserted/injected into the uterus of the female organism

• The sperm will travel and fertilise the egg to produce the embryo

Describe the process of an IVF (In-vitro fertilisation)

• The male and female gamete are extracted from both organisms

• They are fused together in a lab using a needle

• The fertilised egg (embryo) is inserted back into the female (implantation)

Define a ‘sustainable resource’

A resource that is produced as quickly as it is being removed from the enviroment so that it is not used up

What are some conservation methods to reduce overfishing and protect fish stocks?

• Have a daily quota for the amount of a certain species that is farmed

• Fish only at certain times of the year (avoid fishing during reproduction season)

• Set fish net sizing regulations (only adult fish are trapped)

• Sizes of fishing boats are regulated

• Fining illegal/unauthried fishing

• Raising educational awareness of overfishing consequnces

• Ban on fishing certain fish

• Captive fishing and breeding of wild fish (re-stock)

How can the wellbeing of forests be preserved?

• Only cut down old trees

• Plant new trees when old trees are cut down

• regularly monitor growing trees

• Prohibit cutting down of young trees