Conservation
Overview
Once a species is gone, it is gone forever, and its genes go with it. Conservation is the active effort to stop that happening: to manage forests and fish so they renew themselves, to protect species in danger, and to keep ecosystems working. It is part science, part global cooperation, and increasingly urgent.
In this lesson you will define a sustainable resource, explain why species become endangered or extinct, and describe how we conserve them, from protected areas and captive breeding to seed banks. You will also meet the [Supplement] tools of modern conservation, including fishing quotas, AI and IVF, and the genetic danger that small populations face.
Objectives
- Describe a sustainable resource as one which is produced as rapidly as it is removed from the environment so that it does not run out
- State that some resources can be conserved and managed sustainably, limited to forests and fish stocks
- Explain why organisms become endangered or extinct, including: climate change, habitat destruction, hunting, overharvesting, pollution and introduced species
- Describe how endangered species can be conserved, limited to: (a) monitoring and protecting species and habitats (b) education (c) captive breeding programmes (d) seed banks
- [Supplement] Explain how forests can be conserved using: education, protected areas, quotas and replanting
- [Supplement] Explain how fish stocks can be conserved using: education, closed seasons, protected areas, controlled net types and mesh size, quotas and monitoring
- [Supplement] Describe the reasons for conservation programmes, limited to: (a) maintaining or increasing biodiversity (b) reducing extinction (c) protecting vulnerable ecosystems (d) maintaining ecosystem functions, limited to nutrient cycling and resource provision, including food, drugs, fuel and genes
- [Supplement] Describe the use of artificial insemination (AI) and in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in captive breeding programmes
- [Supplement] Explain the risks to a species if its population size decreases, reducing genetic variation (knowledge of genetic drift is not required)
Lesson Note
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on Conservation. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- A sustainable resource is one that is: A. very cheap to produce B. produced as rapidly as it is removed, so it does not run out C. never used by humans D. only found in forests Answer: B
- Which is NOT a cause of species becoming endangered? A. habitat destruction B. captive breeding C. hunting D. pollution Answer: B
- Seed banks help conservation by: A. killing pests B. storing seeds as a gene bank against extinction C. increasing pollution D. clearing forests Answer: B
- A closed season conserves fish stocks by: A. allowing fish to spawn and mature before being caught B. using smaller nets C. removing all predators D. adding fertiliser Answer: A
- A small population is at greater risk of extinction because it has: A. too many predators B. reduced genetic variation C. too much food D. more habitats Answer: B
Available on the Green Bridge App
Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.
Available on the Green Bridge App
Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.
Recommended Books
Practice Mock Questions
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