Maintaining biodiversity
Areas like tropical rainforests have millions of different speciesA type of organism that is the basic unit of classification. Individuals of different species are not able to interbreed successfully. and are very biodiverseThe range of animals and plants in a given area.. Other areas like the Polar Regions have far fewer species and are less biodiverse.
The increase in the human populationAll of the members of a single species that live within a geographical area. and the waste it produces causes deforestationThe cutting down of trees and forests to allow a different land use., peat bogPeat bogs are poorly drained areas made up of partially decomposed organic matter due to waterlogging. destruction and global warmingThe rise in the average temperature of the Earth's surface. which are all reducing biodiversity.
conservationWhere no energy is lost. If 10J of potential energy is conserved by a falling object, the object's kinetic energy will be 10J when landing. helps reverse this. Conservation is the preservation of ecosystemThe living organisms in a particular area, together with the non-living components of the environment. and the organisms that live within them.
Scientists and concerned members of the public help maintain biodiversity by:
- breeding programs to help preserve endangered speciesAnimals that are close to extinction because of their low numbers., like the panda
- protection and development of new endangered habitatA place where plants, animals and microorganisms live., often by making National Parks
- replanting hedgerows because there is higher biodiversity in them than the fields they surround
- reducing deforestation and the release of greenhouse gasThe gases responsible for global warming - carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons).
- recyclingReusing materials or reprocessing waste materials to produce new materials. rather than dumping waste in landfill sitesPlaces where refuse is buried underground.
Nicola Hallot from Knowsley Safari Park talks about the endangered animals at Knowsley including P猫re David's deer, Bactrian camel and scimitar-horned oryx. She also explains how zoos and safari parks across Europe work together to maintain biodiversity.