Essential idea: Entire communities need to be conserved in order to preserve biodiversity.
The tremendous biodiversity of the amazon rainforest can only be conserved in situ it is simply too complex to recreate or conserve in part. Many species rely on a complex web of interactions with other species that they share the environment with, if the balance is disturbed then species will be lost and the community will become less diverse.
Understandings, Applications and Skills
| C.4.U1 | An indicator species is an organism used to assess a specific environmental condition. |
| C.4.U2 | Relative numbers of indicator species can be used to calculate the value of a biotic index. |
| C.4.U3 | In situ conservation may require active management of nature reserves or national parks. |
| C.4.U4 | Ex situ conservation is the preservation of species outside their natural habitats. |
| C.4.U5 | Biogeographic factors affect species diversity. |
| C.4.U6 | Richness and evenness are components of biodiversity. |
| C.4.A1 | Case study of the captive breeding and reintroduction of an endangered animal species. |
| C.4.A2 | Analysis of the impact of biogeographic factors on diversity limited to island size and edge effects. |
| C.4.S1 | Analysis of the biodiversity of two local communities using Simpson's reciprocal index of diversity. [The forumla for simpsons index should be known by students.] |
[Text in square brackets indicates guidance notes]
Starter
Amphibians populations globally are suffering because of the deadly Chytrid fungus. This Guardian.com article and video shows the use of captive breeding, i.e. ex situ conservation, and in situ conservation following the release of Mountain chicken frog back into the wild.
Presentation and notes
The presentation is designed to help your understanding. The notes outline is intended to be used as a framework for the development of student notes to aid revision.
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Use the Cornell style template to collate your own notes for Topic C.4 Conservation of biodiversity
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Nature of Science
Scientists collaborate with other agencies—the preservation of species involves international cooperation through intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. (4.3)
