Reasons for Conservation (Cambridge International IGCSE Biology)

Reasons for conservation: Extended

Spec point — 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

Reasons for conservation: Extended

Extended Tier Only

• There are numerous reasons why conservation programmes are important:

  • maintaining or increasing biodiversity - which allows ecosystems to remain stable

  • reducing extinction - helps to retain iconic species and maintain biodiversity

  • protecting vulnerable ecosystems which would have been quickly lost to human activity

  • maintaining ecosystem functions:

    • nutrient cycling e.g. carbon cycling to limit impact on climate change

    • resource provision, such as:

      • food - making sure there is enough for the population
      • drugs - having access to plants for plant-based remedies
      • fuel - for important activities such as cooking
      • genes - so the gene pool remains wide and variety exists in all species

Conservation techniques: Extended

Spec point — Describe the use of artificial insemination (AI) and in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in captive breeding programmes Explain the risks to a species if its population size decreases, reducing genetic variation (knowledge of genetic drift is not required)

Conservation techniques: Extended

Extended Tier Only

• Certain conservation techniques can be used to maintain biodiversity
• Artificial insemination (AI) is a technique used in captive breeding programmes:
• AI involves inserting sperm from a male into the reproductive tract of a female, e.g. using a syringe
• The advantage of this is that sperm can be transported around the world between different zoos, for use in AI, reducing the need to transport animals
• In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is another technique used in captive breeding programmes:
• IVF involves using sperm to fertilise egg cells in a lab; the resulting fertilised egg cell can then be implanted into a female for development
• This allows gametes with known alleles to be used, ensuring that the next generation remains genetically diverse

Risks to a species

• If its population size decreases, a species will experience reduced genetic variation
• This renders the species more susceptible to environmental change
• The species is less resilient and has a greater risk of extinction