Ecosystems: conservation and preservation
In a nutshell
Ecosystems provide many resources that support the human population, both socially and economically. Therefore, conservation and preservation efforts are crucial to maintain these ecosystems. This summary details various conservation efforts and the importance of these.
Conservation
Definition
Conservation is maintaining ecosystems so the natural resources they contain can be maintained and the ecosystems themselves can be kept for future generations.
It is crucial that conservation efforts are dynamic. This means they should change with the changing conditions of the ecosystem. These changes may be natural, due to the organisms within the ecosystem, or human. Conservation can also restore ecosystems through a process known as reclamation.
Conservation has socioeconomic and ethical implications. These are described below.
Impact | Description | Example |
| Social
| Ecosystems provide resources that support the human population. | Over-fishing has greatly reduced fish stocks in the world's oceans. Conservation programmes ensure future generations have fish to eat.
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| Economic | Ecosystems provide resources that have great economic value. | Many medicines come from plants, undiscovered plant species may contain new medicinal chemicals. If these plant species become extinct this could mean valuable medicines are not found.
Plants and animal species are involved in the production of some industrial materials and fuels. If these species become extinct, these resources may become more difficult to produce.
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| Ethical | Many people believe that it is our ethical and moral duty, as humans, to protect ecosystems from the impacts of human activity. | Many people believe organisms have a right to exist and therefore shouldn't become extinct as a result of humans. |
Preservation
Definition
Preservation of an ecosystem is simply keeping it the way it is. Nothing new is added to the ecosystem and no damaging activities will take place there.
Example
Antarctica is a preserved ecosystem as human presence is limited and damaging activities, such as mining, are prohibited.
Sustainability
Definition
Sustainability is meeting the needs of the population today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Ecosystems can be managed sustainably to maintain them for future generations.
Example
Cutting down trees and replacing them sustainably.
Sustainable method | Description
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| Coppicing | Cutting down trees in a way that they can regrow from their stumps.
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| Space | New trees are planted far apart so they don't have to compete for space or nutrients. |
| Cutting trees in patches | There will be patches of trees cut down at a time. This will encourage growth as trees will grow back more quickly in smaller areas. Smaller cleared areas will also reduce the chances of soil erosion.
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| Support posts | New trees will often have support posts or plastic tubing to prevent unwanted grazing and to increase their chances of survival. |
Example
Fish stocks are rapidly decreasing because of overfishing. Not only does this impact humans, as there's less fish to eat, it also has a detrimental impact on food chains and the biodiversity of the ocean.
Sustainable method | Description
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| Fishing quotas | Fishing quotas use scientific data to limit the amount of certain fish species that fisherpeople are allowed to catch. These quotas aim to conserve fish species and ensure their population sizes are not reduced too much that they become extinct. |
Net size | There are limits on the mesh size of the fish net depending on what is being fished. This aims to reduce the number of unwanted fish that end up being discarded (as they are caught accidentally). Using a bigger mesh size will let unwanted species escape and smaller, younger fish will slip through the net. This allows them to reach breeding age.
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Balancing human needs
Conservation efforts benefit ecosystems, however, there are still populations within these ecosystems that must be supported and managed in order to reduce potential conflict.
Examples
Ecosystem | Description |
Terai Arc | Almost seven million people live in the Terai Arc. This is a forest area between Nepal and India which supports a wide biodiversity. Given the growing population, there is a growing need for housing and development which threatens to destroy the ecosystem. Endangered species such as the Bengal tiger and Asian elephant are found in the Terai Arc, therefore it is very important that their habitats are not destroyed. The WWF works with local people to balance their growing needs with the needs of the ecosystem. |
Maasai Mara | The Maasai Mara is a savannah in Kenya which supports a large human population as well as large animal and plant populations. The Maasai people make an income from selling livestock. However, the intensity of livestock farming means grassland is often overgrazed. Conservation efforts are required to balance the needs of the Maasai people without compromising the ecosystem. |
UK peat bogs | Peat bogs store carbon dioxide and water and they support a wide range of animal and plant species. However, sheep and deer often graze on peat bods which causes the loss of important moss species and peat bog erosion. Government-funded programmes aim to help farmers manage the peat bogs sustainably. |
Controlling human activities
Human activities threaten to destabilise important ecosystems.
Examples
Place
| Human impact | Control methods
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| Galapagos Islands | Non-native animal and plant species have caused a decrease in the population size of native species. | Eradication programmes have eradicated some non-native species and tourists are prohibited from bringing live animals and plants onto the island. |
| Antarctica | Ships have caused oil spills and oceanic pollution. Human hunting activities have also threatened wildlife in the area. | Ships must take their waste back with them and certain ships are banned from entering Antarctic waters. Hunting and whaling have also been banned. |
| Lake District National Park | Footpath erosion is very common and this causes certain species to be killed. | Conservation charities maintain the paths to increase the biodiversity and reduce the degradation of the landscape.
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