(a)(i) What is conservation? (ii) State six factors responsible for the decline of the abundance and variety of wildlife. (b) Outline six ways in which the ...

(a)(i) Conservation

Conservation is the wise use, protection and careful management of natural resources (wildlife, forests, soil, water) so that they are not destroyed or wasted but are preserved and made available for present and future generations.

(a)(ii) Six factors responsible for the decline in abundance and variety of wildlife

1. Indiscriminate hunting and poaching of wild animals.
2. Destruction of habitats through deforestation and clearing of land for farming and settlement.
3. Bush burning, which destroys animals and their habitats.
4. Pollution of air, water and soil.
5. Overgrazing and overexploitation of resources.
6. Introduction of pests, diseases and predators; and use of pesticides.

(b) Six ways the government can improve the situation

1. Establish and protect game reserves, national parks and forest reserves.
2. Enact and enforce laws against poaching, indiscriminate hunting and bush burning.
3. Ban or license the hunting of endangered species and set closed seasons.
4. Practise afforestation and reforestation to restore habitats.
5. Educate the public on the importance of wildlife conservation.
6. Control pollution and the misuse of pesticides; and set up breeding/restocking programmes.

(c)(i) Eutrophication

Eutrophication is the excessive enrichment of a body of water with mineral nutrients (especially nitrates and phosphates), which causes a rapid overgrowth of algae and water plants; when these die and decay, the dissolved oxygen is used up and aquatic animals die.

(c)(ii) Two causes of eutrophication

• Run-off of nitrate and phosphate fertilizers from farmland into water.
• Discharge of sewage and detergents (phosphates) into water bodies.