Maintaining Biodiversity
Biology: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 7.3.9
Maintaining Biodiversity
Programmes have been established by scientists and governments that attempt to mitigate (soften) the negative impact of humans on ecosystems and biodiversity:
Breeding programmes
- Breeding programmes for endangered species can be important for preventing extinction events.
Rare and threatened habitats
- Efforts are being made into the protection and regeneration of these habitats.
Incentivising farmers
- Farmers are being incentivised to maintain field margins and hedgerows, as these habitats can support biodiversity.
Government-imposed targets
- These can be related to things like deforestation and emission reductions.
Recycling waste
- Recycling slows down the expansion of landfill sites and reduces the need to extract new natural resources.
Test yourself on Maintaining Biodiversity
Why are breeding programmes for endangered species considered important for conservation?
Why are farmers being incentivised to maintain field margins and hedgerows on their land?
What would most likely happen to the biodiversity supported by farmland if field margins and hedgerows were removed?
What would most likely happen to landfill site expansion if recycling rates decreased?
What would most likely happen to an endangered species' risk of extinction if no breeding programme existed for it?