- Conservation aims to sustainably manage natural resources, protect biodiversity, and ensure ecosystem health.
- It involves preservation, management, and reclamation to mitigate environmental degradation.
- Two key actors in this field are the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and the CAMPFIRE program.
Conservation Strategies: #
Preservation #
- Involves protecting pristine ecosystems from human intervention.
- Example: National parks like Yellowstone in the US preserve unique geothermal features, biodiversity, and natural landscapes.
- Focuses on maintaining ecological integrity and supporting scientific research.
Management #
- Involves sustainable utilization and careful management of resources.
- Example: Sustainable forestry practices where only a limited number of trees are harvested, ensuring forest regeneration and ecosystem health.
- Balances resource use with long-term conservation goals.
Reclamation #
- Focuses on restoring degraded ecosystems to their original state.
- Example: Reforestation projects in areas affected by deforestation to restore habitats and mitigate soil erosion.
- Aims to reverse human-induced damage and enhance ecological functionality.
Role of Environmental Management Agency (EMA) #
- EMA is a regulatory body responsible for environmental protection and sustainable resource use.
- EMA enforces laws and regulations, conducts environmental impact assessments (EIAs), and promotes awareness.
Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs)
- EIAs evaluate potential environmental effects of proposed projects.
- Example: Before constructing a dam, an EIA assesses its impact on water quality, aquatic life, and local communities.
Enforcement and Regulation:
- EMA ensures compliance with environmental laws, levying fines for violations.
- Example: Monitoring industrial emissions to prevent air and water pollution.
Public Awareness and Education:
- EMA educates the public about conservation through workshops, campaigns, and educational programs.
- Example: Raising awareness about the dangers of plastic pollution and promoting responsible waste disposal.
Role of CAMPFIRE #
- CAMPFIRE (Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources) empowers local communities to manage and benefit from wildlife resources.
- It promotes conservation through sustainable resource use, community engagement, and income generation.
Community-Based Natural Resource Management
- Local communities gain ownership and responsibility for managing resources.
- CAMPFIRE allows communities to harvest limited quotas of wildlife for tourism and generate revenue.
Benefits of CAMPFIRE
- Revenue from ecotourism provides livelihoods for local communities.
- Communities have incentives to protect wildlife due to economic gains.
- Improves community well-being through infrastructure development and employment.
Outline the reasons why conservationists are concerned about the population of the African elephant,loxodonta Africana. [8] #
[ZIMSEC November 2014/2/9(b)]
- low population of elephants/ref to extinction
- population falling rapidly
- loss of genetic diversity
- conversion of suitable areas of habitat to agricultural use/AW/Human population rising rapidly
- high value of ivory/poverty makes poaching of ivory attractive
- disruption of elephant families/ elephants have a matriachical family system;
- elephants threaten human life
- elephants destroy trees/crops/water installations
Discus the conservation of the African elephant #
Discus the conservation of the African elephant, L Africana and African cyclotis, with regard to population numbers, reasons for concern, measures introduced and international co-operation required [8]
[ZIMSEC November 2003/2/13(b)]
- On population
- no serious predators except man
- poaching main problem
- dropped (from +1.0 million to +500 000)
- Reasons for concern
- elephant complete with man for land used in agriculture/forestry/settlement/ destruction of vegetation by elephants
- elephant killed for ivory
- mostly males for bigger tasks
- Measures introduced
- ban elephant poaching
- sustainable management programme
- culling
- ref to camfire
- ban on illegal trade of elephant products (by CITES)
- International co-operation
- ref CITES difficult for all countries to agree on total ban/ culling measures/ sale and marketing of animal products
- ref to tourism and conservation agreements between countries
Describe the methods used to conserve endangered animal species. [7] #
- place in zoos;
- protected against, disease/predation;
- captive breeding programme;
- ref. assisted reproduction/ cloning/ sperm banks;
- released into wild;
- ref. national parks/ reserves;
- rangers patrol parks ;
- human access parks;
- controlled agriculture;
- controlled industry;
- visitor centres/ education;
- habitat/ breeding sites, protected;
- banning sale of protected animals or their products;
- banning hunting;
Reasons why species have become endangered #
1. Habitat Loss and Degradation:
- Human activities, such as urbanization, agriculture, and infrastructure development, lead to habitat destruction and fragmentation.
- Loss of suitable habitats disrupts species’ ability to find food, reproduce, and thrive.
- Example: Destruction of rainforests for agriculture results in habitat loss for countless species.
2. Pollution:
- Pollution from industrial, agricultural, and domestic sources contaminates ecosystems, harming both wildlife and habitats.
- Chemical pollutants, like pesticides and heavy metals, disrupt food chains and affect reproduction.
- Example: Oil spills in marine environments threaten aquatic species and coastal ecosystems.
3. Overexploitation:
- Excessive hunting, fishing, and harvesting of species for trade or consumption can lead to population declines.
- Lack of regulation and unsustainable practices reduce species numbers and disrupt ecosystems.
- Example: Overfishing has driven several fish species to the brink of extinction.
4. Invasive Species:
- Introduction of non-native species can outcompete native species for resources, disrupting ecosystems.
- Invasive species can prey on or introduce diseases to native species, leading to their decline.
- Example: Brown tree snakes introduced to Guam decimated native bird populations.
5. Climate Change:
- Global warming alters habitats, distribution patterns, and phenology of species.
- Changing temperature and precipitation patterns affect food availability and disrupt migratory patterns.
- Example: Polar bears face habitat loss as melting ice impacts their ability to hunt for seals.
6. Disease and Pathogens:
- Introduction of diseases or pathogens to new areas can devastate populations lacking immunity.
- Habitat degradation can also increase the susceptibility of species to diseases.
- Example: Chytrid fungus has caused declines in amphibian populations worldwide.
7. Genetic Issues:
- Small populations are susceptible to inbreeding and genetic bottlenecks, reducing genetic diversity.
- Low genetic diversity makes species less adaptable to changing environments and more vulnerable to diseases.
- Example: The cheetah’s low genetic diversity increases its vulnerability to diseases.
8. Climate Change:
- Habitat disruption, altered weather patterns, and changing sea levels affect species’ survival and reproduction.
- Species may not be able to migrate or adapt fast enough to cope with changing conditions.
- Example: Coral bleaching due to rising sea temperatures threatens coral reef ecosystems.
9. Loss of Prey or Pollinators:
- Disruption in food chains can lead to cascading effects on species that depend on each other.
- Loss of pollinators impacts plants that rely on them for reproduction.
- Example: Decline in bee populations affects pollination of various crops and wild plants.
