Conservation of Biodiversity Essay Example for Free

Conservation of Biodiversity Essay4.3.1 State the arguments for preserving species and habitats.Why conserve biodiversity? The honors of biodiversity can be classified as either direct values or indirect values (see pp.119-120 in the IB ESS line of achievement Companion) Direct values can be (relatively) easily figure outd goods harvested destroyed for consumption (eating) or trade in a market divisorrally physical commodities of some sort private goods value accrues to the proprietor of the resource Examples food sources (heirloom varieties of m whatsoever crops, i.e. corn/maize) natural products (medicines, textiles, fertilizers, pesticides, etc) Indirect values more difficult to calculate stabilize ecosystems (negative feedback cycles) provide benefits but are not generally harvested/destroyed/sold usually function or processes which benefit everyone public goods value accrues to society instead of individuals Examples ecosystem productivity (a. k.a. ecosystem se rvices) i.e. soil aeration, pollination, fertilization, carbon sequestration, group O production ,climate regulation, etc scientific or educational value biological control (an new(prenominal) example of negative feedback) gene sources environmental monitors recreation and ecotourism human health possible future medical applications rights of indigenous peoples intrinsic (ethical) value biorights4.3.2 Compare and contrast the role and activities of intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations in preserving and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity.There are 2 main approaches to conserving biodiversity approximately the world conservation biology and deliverance biology. conservation biology sustainable use and management of resources worldly concern are a part of the picture and their needs are also taken into consideration preservation biology excludes humans and human needs from conservation efforts conservation based on biorightsHow conservation organizations pl ow For a comparison of the work of GOs and NGOs, see Table 6.1 at the riddle of page 122 in your IB ESS Course Companion. It is important to understand how these agencies use media, enforce laws, respond to the issues, and work at heart the political/diplomatic constraints imposed by different governments around the world. government organizations (GOs) part or sort of a national, state, department, or local government ultimately responsible to the voter have the authority to occupy violations of regulations within their jurisdiction examples Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of Agriculture, Eaux et Forets (Water and Forests), and other branches of local and national government agencies intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) generally a part of multi-national organizations, especially the United Nations most agreements are not legally binding under world-wide law, but each signatory country is responsible for legislating and regulating conservation efforts within their a ccept territory the UN and other IGOs Examples UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme), CITES, IPCC (Intergovernment Panel on Climate Change) non-governmental organizations (NGOs) work independently from governments to cling to threatened species and celestial orbits frequently form partnerships with GOs and IGOs to more effectively reach their targeted goals Examples WWF, Greenpeace, and in like manner many others to list here. For a brief summary, visit this Wikipedia page http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_environmental_organizations4.3.3 State and explain the criteria used to spirit defend areas.Be familiar with the idea of island biogeography Two eminent ecologists, the late Robert MacArthur of Princeton University and E. 0. Wilson of Harvardproposed that the number of species on any island reflects a balance between the rate at which new species colonize it and the rate at which populations of accomplished species become extinct. (For a complete explanation, vis it http//www.stanford.edu/group/stanfordbirds/text/essays/Island_Biogeography.html)Essentially, protected areas can be vox populi of as islands within the surrounding landscape. The victor and effectiveness of protected areas depends on several factors 1. size larger space allows for larger populations and gene pools, and a wider variety of species 2. shape round is better than all other shapes because it reduces the edge effect 3. edge effects less edge is better edge creates differences in the bodily structure of an ecosystem, called an ecotone (an area where 2 habitats meet), which influences what may winnerfully live there. 4. corridors provide safe passage between protected areas 5. proximity if protected areas are close to other protected areas, they are more effective than single out islandsThe above points are effectively outlined and explained in Figure 6.6 and on pages 128-129 of the IB ESS Course Companion.4.3.4 Evaluate the success of a named protected area.Eva luate the success of these case studies from the IB ESS Course Companion, as well as at least one local example from India. For each case study, be able to outline and cover responses to the following questionsA. Which species is the area designed to protect?B. Why is/are the species threatened?C. How and why has the protected area been successful?D. What are the weaknesses (and their causes) of the protected area?E. Describe how the criteria used to design protected areas have influenced the success of each case study.Case Studies1. Royal Chitwan content Park, Nepal2. Sichuan Giant Panda sanctuaries, China3. Sepilok Orang Utan Centre, Malaysia4. Yosemite National park, USA5. Serengeti National Park, TZ6. Gir wildlife Sanctuary7. Ranthambore National Park8. Corbet National park9. Kaziranga National Park4.3.5 establish and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the species-based approach to conservation.CITES intergovernmental agreement designed to protect species threatened by international trade involuntary each country is responsible for its own laws, territory, and enforcement