- Biodiversity refers to the range of species that are present in a particular ecosystem.
- Conservation is the protection and preservation of natural resources in the environment.
Why is conservation important?
1. To maintain biodiversity by preventing the extinction of species.
2. Maintenance of a large gene pool is important as many wild plants and animals possess favourable genes. By cross-breeding the different varieties of wild plants and animals, agricultural produce can be improved. For example, plants with better resistance to diseases and droughts can be produced by crossing domestic species with wild species.
3. Important source of raw materials for medicinal drugs and insecticides. Eg Quinine, an anti-malarial drug is derived from bar of Cinchona. Morphine, a pain-suppressant is derived from poppy plant. Pyrethrum, chemical found in chrysanthemum, is used in insecticide industry. Vinblastine, is a drug used to treat leukemia (a type of cancer) derived from the Madagascar rosy periwinkle.
4. For scientific research
The study of wildlife provides useful information to humans. For example, we learn evolution from studying wildlife.
5. For economic purposes
6. Marine life needs to be conserved as they are a major source of food.
- Tropical rainforest is also a good source of food, eg rice, pineapple and banana.
7. Tropical plants are important source of raw materials for industries. Fibres from cotton plants used to make cloth, rattan is used to make furniture, rubber from the latex of rubber trees is used to make tyres.
8. To maintain a stable and balanced ecosystem
- A stable and balanced ecosystem prevents disruption of natural cycles such as carbon cycles, and also prevents global warming.
9. To preserve natural scenery and wildlife for people to appreciate
10. Natural resources enable outdoor recreational activities such as fishing, hiking and skiing.
How do we conserve our environment?
(I) By keeping the environment clean.
(ii) By managing the use of the Earth’s natural resources.
(iii) By protecting wildlife.
(iv) By human population control.
Conservation of Forests
Prevent tree felling (the indiscriminate cutting down of forest trees).
Government laws to protect the remaining forests worldwide. These laws ensure that trees felled for timber are cut down selectively and at a regulated rate. Young trees are not felled and new seedlings are planted to replace trees that were cut down for timber. The planting of trees to replace trees that have been removed or destroyed is called reforestation.
Governments in some countries designate land as forest reserves. Laws that prohibit tree felling, hunting and other human activities that may harm the forest ecosystem protect these forest reserves.
The forestry departments in various countries look after forest reserves and enforce forest conservation laws. They check the trees regularly and help to control insects and diseases that harm them. Scientists in forestry departments carry out research to improve the quality of forest trees and make the forest more productive.
Conservation of fishing grounds
To ensure a consistent and long-term supply of fish resources for consumption, there is a need to:
Prevent over-fishing and indiscriminate fishing.
Eliminate pollution of rivers and seas.
Ensure consistent and long-term availability of fish resources. (How is it carried out?)
Methods include
(I) Banning the use of drift nets which indiscriminately trap all forms of marine life.
(ii) Using nets with a certain mesh size (hole size) so that young or immature fish are not caught.
(iii) Regulating the entry of ships into fishing grounds.
(iv) Limiting the period of fishing in fishing grounds.
(v) Banning the harvesting or fishing of endangered species.
(vi) Raising the endangered species of fish in hatcheries and releasing them into fishing grounds where the fish populations are decreasing.