Ess Topic 4.3 - Conservation of Biodiversity
4.3.1 State the arguments for preserving species and habitats.
Why conserve biodiversity? The values of biodiversity can be classified as either direct values or indirect values (see pp.119-120 in the IB ESS Course Companion): • Direct values - can be (relatively) easily calculated • goods harvested & destroyed for consumption (eating) or sale in a market • generally physical commodities of some sort • private goods - value accrues to the owner of the resource • Examples: • food sources (‘heirloom varieties’ of many crops, i.e. corn/maize) • natural products (medicines, textiles, fertilizers, pesticides, etc) • Indirect values - more difficult to calculate • stabilize ecosystems (negative feedback cycles) • provide benefits but are not generally harvested/destroyed/sold • usually services or processes which benefit everyone • public goods - value accrues to society instead of individuals • Examples: • ecosystem productivity (a.k.a. ecosystem services) i.e. soil aeration, pollination, fertilization, carbon sequestration, oxygen production ,climate regulation, etc • scientific or educational value • biological control (another example of negative feedback) • gene sources • environmental monitors • recreation and ecotourism • human health - possible future medical applications • rights of indigenous peoples • intrinsic (ethical) value - biorights
4.3.2 Compare and contrast the role and activities of intergovernmental and non‑governmental organizations in preserving and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity.
There are 2 main approaches to conserving biodiversity around the world: conservation biology and preservation biology.
• conservation biology - sustainable use and management of resources; humans are a part of the picture and their needs are also taken into consideration
• preservation biology -
Why conserve biodiversity? The values of biodiversity can be classified as either direct values or indirect values (see pp.119-120 in the IB ESS Course Companion): • Direct values - can be (relatively) easily calculated • goods harvested & destroyed for consumption (eating) or sale in a market • generally physical commodities of some sort • private goods - value accrues to the owner of the resource • Examples: • food sources (‘heirloom varieties’ of many crops, i.e. corn/maize) • natural products (medicines, textiles, fertilizers, pesticides, etc) • Indirect values - more difficult to calculate • stabilize ecosystems (negative feedback cycles) • provide benefits but are not generally harvested/destroyed/sold • usually services or processes which benefit everyone • public goods - value accrues to society instead of individuals • Examples: • ecosystem productivity (a.k.a. ecosystem services) i.e. soil aeration, pollination, fertilization, carbon sequestration, oxygen production ,climate regulation, etc • scientific or educational value • biological control (another example of negative feedback) • gene sources • environmental monitors • recreation and ecotourism • human health - possible future medical applications • rights of indigenous peoples • intrinsic (ethical) value - biorights
4.3.2 Compare and contrast the role and activities of intergovernmental and non‑governmental organizations in preserving and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity.
There are 2 main approaches to conserving biodiversity around the world: conservation biology and preservation biology.
• conservation biology - sustainable use and management of resources; humans are a part of the picture and their needs are also taken into consideration
• preservation biology -