Conservation
Introduced| English | Meaning |
|---|---|
| extinct/ekˈstɪŋkt/ | Having no living individuals remaining, when referring to a species. |
| biodiversity/ˌbaɪəʊdaɪˈvɜːsɪti/ | The variety of life, including genetic diversity, species diversity and ecosystem diversity. |
| climate change/ˈklaɪmət tʃeɪndʒ/ | A long-term change in the statistical patterns of temperature, rainfall or other aspects of climate. |
| habitat loss/ˈhæbɪtæt lɒs/ | habitat loss |
| endangered species/enˈdeɪndʒəd ˈspiːsiːz/ | A species facing a high risk of extinction. |
| seed bank/siːd bæŋk/ | A stored collection of seeds for conservation or a reserve of viable seeds naturally present in soil. |
| invasive species/ɪnˈveɪsɪv ˈspiːsiːz/ | A species introduced outside its native range that spreads and causes harm. |
Protecting what's left
- A species can become extinct 灭绝 — die out completely.
- We try to protect biodiversity 生物多样性 for many reasons.
- There are several ways to conserve threatened species.
Conservation action lab
Follow how conservation moves from threat to protected population.
Why species die out — and why to protect them
- Extinction causes: climate change 气候变化, competition (often from new species), hunting by humans, and habitat loss 栖息地丧失.
- We conserve because other species give us food, medicines and materials, help keep ecosystems stable, and have value in themselves.
Which is a cause of extinction?
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Habitat loss (plus climate change, competition and hunting) can drive a species extinct.
Why do we conserve biodiversity?
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Biodiversity provides resources, keeps ecosystems stable, and has intrinsic value.
Ways to conserve
- zoos and botanic gardens keep and breed endangered species 濒危物种.
- protected conservation areas (national parks, marine parks) keep habitats safe.
- seed banks 种子库 and 'frozen zoos' store seeds, cells, eggs and sperm for the future.
- assisted reproduction for rare mammals: IVF, embryo transfer, surrogacy.
- controlling invasive species 入侵物种 that out-compete native ones.
In-situ conservation protects species in their habitat; ex-situ keeps them in zoos, seed banks and gene banks
Conserving a species in its natural habitat (e.g. a nature reserve) is called ______ conservation.
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In situ = in place (the habitat); ex situ = off-site (zoos, seed banks).
Ex situ conservation means protecting a species away from its habitat — for example in a zoo or seed bank.
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Ex situ (zoos, botanic gardens, seed banks, frozen zoos) is a backup when the habitat itself is threatened.
Seed banks and "frozen zoos" conserve species by:
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They preserve genetic material (seeds, cells, gametes) so species can be restored later.
Worldwide help
- the IUCN lists how threatened each species is.
- CITES controls the international trade in endangered animals and plants.
What does CITES do?
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CITES controls trade in endangered species; the IUCN lists how threatened each species is.
Match each conservation term to its meaning.
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In situ protects the habitat; ex situ is a backup; CITES and the IUCN are the international tools.
You've got it
- extinction causes: climate change, competition, hunting, habitat loss
- conserve for food/medicine/materials, ecosystem stability, and intrinsic value
- methods: zoos/botanic gardens, protected areas, seed banks/frozen zoos, assisted reproduction, control invasive species
- IUCN lists threat level; CITES controls trade in endangered species