Biodiversity Management (HL IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS))

Biodiversity Management

Importance of biodiversity management

• Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth, including ecosystems, habitats, species and genetic diversity

• Managing biodiversity is crucial for many reasons, including:

  • Ecosystem stability—biodiversity maintains ecosystem resilience to environmental changes

  • Medicine and pharmaceuticals—many medicines are derived from biodiversity, offering potential treatments for various diseases

  • Cultural and spiritual significance—biodiversity holds cultural and spiritual importance, preserving traditional knowledge

  • Economic benefits—biodiversity contributes to tourism and livelihoods, supporting local economies

  • Climate regulation—ecosystems help mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon dioxide

  • Pollination and food security—biodiversity, especially pollinators, is essential for crop pollination and food production.

Gathering Knowledge of Biodiversity

• Effective biodiversity management requires comprehensive knowledge at both global and regional levels

Global biodiversity data collection

• International organisations:

  • Organisations like the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) and WWF (World Wildlife Fund) gather data globally

    • For example, the IUCN Red List categorises species based on their extinction risk

Regional biodiversity data collection

• National and local agencies:

  • Government-funded agencies, such as Natural England in the UK, collect data on local species and habitats

    • For example, Natural England conducts surveys on bird populations to monitor their status

• Citizen science:

  • Involves public participation in scientific research

  • Volunteers collect data on local wildlife, which is then used by scientists

    • For example, the Big Butterfly Count in the UK engages the public in counting butterfly species

• Voluntary organisations:

  • NGOs like The Wildlife Trusts (UK) work on local biodiversity projects

    • For example, the Wildlife Trusts have a long-term hedgehog monitoring programme

Training for data collection

• Indigenous people:

  • Indigenous communities often possess detailed traditional knowledge of local ecosystems

  • Training helps integrate their knowledge with scientific methods

    • For example, indigenous rangers in Australia are trained to monitor and protect native species

• Parabiologists:

  • These are local people trained to assist in biological research

  • They bridge the gap between local communities and scientific researchers

  • They may be used to gather information for use in conservation management

Biodiversity management strategies

• There are many different biodiversity management strategies but the main categories are:

  • The creation of protected areas

  • The restoration of existing but damaged habitat

  • The implementation of sustainable management strategies

• Protected areas:

  • Creating parks, reserves and conservation areas

    • For example, the establishment of marine protected areas to safeguard coral reefs

• Habitat restoration:

  • Restoring degraded ecosystems to their natural state

    • For example, rewilding projects involve the restoration of ecosystems by reintroducing native species to their original habitats

• Sustainable practices:

  • Encouraging sustainable agriculture, forestry and fishing

    • For example, certification schemes like Fair Trade promote sustainable farming practices