Evaluating conservation and mitigation methods
Ecology • Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems
Flashcards
Test your knowledge with interactive flashcards
Key concepts
What you'll likely be quizzed about
Protected areas and legislation
Protected areas are designated zones where exploitation is limited to conserve habitats and species. Cause → effect: legal protection reduces habitat loss and hunting, which increases population stability and local biodiversity. Limiting factors: enforcement costs, political will, and conflicts with local livelihoods. Evidence from policy examples shows that protected areas slow biodiversity loss when combined with monitoring and local engagement .
Habitat restoration and reforestation
Habitat restoration returns damaged ecosystems toward their original state by planting native vegetation, restoring hydrology or reintroducing keystone species. Cause → effect: restored vegetation increases carbon storage and habitat complexity, which supports higher species richness and ecosystem services. Limiting factors: time required for recovery, seed-source availability, altered soil or microclimate conditions, and ongoing threats such as grazing or pollution. Deforestation reduces carbon sinks and accelerates biodiversity loss, so restoration addresses both carbon and species declines .
Captive breeding and reintroduction programmes
Captive breeding maintains small populations in controlled conditions for later reintroduction. Cause → effect: captive breeding prevents immediate extinction and supplies individuals for reintroduction into secure habitats. Limiting factors: reduced genetic diversity, behavioural changes from captivity, high cost, and the need for suitable, protected release sites. Evaluation requires comparison of short-term survival gains against long-term genetic and ecological viability; captive breeding helps some critically endangered species but rarely succeeds without habitat protection and anti-poaching measures .
Habitat corridors and landscape connectivity
Habitat corridors link isolated habitat fragments to allow migration, gene flow and recolonisation. Cause → effect: increased connectivity reduces inbreeding, supports seasonal movements and improves ecosystem resilience to climate change. Limiting factors: corridor width and quality, barriers (roads, urban areas), land-owner cooperation and the potential spread of disease or invasive species along corridors. Evaluation balances improved genetic health against management complexity and land-use trade-offs .
Pollution control and waste management
Pollution control reduces inputs of toxic chemicals, fertilisers and untreated sewage into ecosystems. Cause → effect: reduced pollutants lowers bioaccumulation in food webs and prevents eutrophication events that cause oxygen loss and fish deaths. Limiting factors: infrastructure expense, regulatory compliance, diffuse pollution from agriculture and legacy contaminants already present in soils and sediments. Historical examples of industrial contamination illustrate the need for strict waste treatment and long-term monitoring .
Sustainable land use and individual actions
Sustainable land use includes reduced pesticide and fertiliser use, hedgerow retention, and organic practices. Cause → effect: lowered chemical input and retention of field margins boosts local wildlife and pollinators, increasing landscape biodiversity. Limiting factors: short-term yield reduction, economic incentives for intensive farming and the need for policy or market shifts to support farmers. Practical measures for individuals and communities provide local biodiversity benefits when scaled up .
Key notes
Important points to keep in mind