9700 · 18.3
Conservation flashcards
Revision flashcards for Cambridge 9700 Conservation (syllabus 18.3). Flip, recall, then mark a real past-paper question.
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What is conservation?
The protection, preservation, management, and restoration of natural environments and the ecological communities that inhabit them. It aims to ensure the sustainable use of Earth's resources.
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What is the main difference between 'in situ' and 'ex situ' conservation?
'In situ' conservation protects species within their natural habitat (e.g., in a national park), while 'ex situ' conservation protects species outside of their natural habitat (e.g., in a zoo or seed bank).
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Give an example of an 'in situ' conservation method.
Establishing national parks or marine protected areas, where habitats are protected and human activities are regulated to protect the species living there.
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Give an example of an 'ex situ' conservation method.
Captive breeding programmes in zoos for endangered animals, or storing seeds of rare plants in a seed bank like the Svalbard Global Seed Vault.
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What is biodiversity?
The variety of life on Earth, encompassing genetic diversity (variety of genes within a species), species diversity (variety of species in an ecosystem), and ecosystem diversity (variety of habitats).
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What is widely considered the single greatest threat to global biodiversity?
Habitat destruction and fragmentation, caused by human activities such as deforestation for agriculture, urbanisation, and mining.
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What is the role of CITES?
CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement that regulates and monitors the trade of endangered plants and animals to ensure their survival is not threatened.
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What is sustainable development?
Development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It balances economic, social, and environmental concerns.