Conservation
Conservation
- A species can become extinct — die out completely.
- We try to protect biodiversity for many reasons.
- There are several ways to conserve threatened species.
Why species die out — and why to protect them
- Extinction causes: climate change, competition (often from new species), hunting by humans, and habitat loss.
- We conserve because other species give us food, medicines and materials, help keep ecosystems stable, and have value in themselves.
Practice
Which is a cause of extinction?
Habitat loss (plus climate change, competition and hunting) can drive a species extinct.
Practice
Why do we conserve biodiversity?
Biodiversity provides resources, keeps ecosystems stable, and has intrinsic value.
Ways to conserve
- zoos and botanic gardens keep and breed endangered species.
- protected conservation areas (national parks, marine parks) keep habitats safe.
- seed banks and 'frozen zoos' store seeds, cells, eggs and sperm for the future.
- assisted reproduction for rare mammals: IVF, embryo transfer, surrogacy.
- controlling invasive species that out-compete native ones.
Practice
Seed banks and "frozen zoos" conserve species by:
They preserve genetic material (seeds, cells, gametes) so species can be restored later.
Practice
Invasive species are a problem because they:
Invasive species out-compete natives, so conservationists try to control them.
Worldwide help
- the IUCN lists how threatened each species is.
- CITES controls the international trade in endangered animals and plants.
Practice
What does CITES do?
CITES controls trade in endangered species; the IUCN lists how threatened each species is.
You've got it
Key idea
- extinction causes: climate change, competition, hunting, habitat loss
- conserve for food/medicine/materials, ecosystem stability, and intrinsic value
- methods: zoos/botanic gardens, protected areas, seed banks/frozen zoos, assisted reproduction, control invasive species
- IUCN lists threat level; CITES controls trade in endangered species