Habitat Management & Designing Protected Areas (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS))
Revision Note
Habitat Management
Habitat conservation strategies aim to protect species by preserving and managing their natural environments
This may involve the protection of wild areas or active management
These strategies are crucial for maintaining biodiversity and ensuring the survival of various species
Protection of wild areas
Protecting wild areas involves:
Setting aside land that is left in its natural state
Ensuring this land remains free from significant human interference
This helps to maintain the habitat necessary for the survival of many species, allowing ecosystems to function naturally
For example, large areas of the Amazon Rainforest are protected to preserve the rich biodiversity found there
Active management
Active management refers to human intervention to maintain or restore habitats to a desired condition
Methods include:
Controlled burning: this can be used to manage grasslands and forests, promoting the growth of desired plant species
Reforestation: planting trees to restore deforested areas
Invasive species control: removing non-native species that threaten local biodiversity
Case Study
Active management in the Norfolk Broads, UK
Location: Norfolk, England
Habitat type: wetlands, including rivers, broads (shallow lakes), fens and marshes
Biodiversity: the Norfolk Broads are home to a wide variety of wildlife, including some rare and endangered species of plants, birds and insects
E.g. bitterns, marsh harriers and swallowtail butterflies
Active management practices:
Water level control: ensuring the water levels remain suitable for the wetland plants and animals
Sluices and pumps are used to manage water levels, preventing areas from becoming too dry or too flooded
Reed cutting: preventing the wetlands from becoming overgrown and maintaining open water areas
These open water areas are essential for certain species
Wildlife monitoring: regular surveys to monitor species populations
Removal of non-native species that could dominate and alter the ecosystem
Surrounding land use: mainly agricultural land, which requires careful management to prevent pollution (e.g. via nutrient runoff) and ensure sustainable water use
Case Study
Ecosanctuary with pest-exclusion fencing: Zealandia, New Zealand
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
Habitat type: forest and scrubland
Conservation strategies:
Pest-exclusion fencing: a predator-proof fence encircles the sanctuary to keep out invasive species like rats, stoats and possums
These are major threats to New Zealand's native species
Reintroduction of native species: species such as the little spotted kiwi and tuatara have been reintroduced to the area
These reintroduction efforts have helped boost populations of species that had declined drastically due to predation by invasive species
Surrounding land use: the sanctuary is located near urban areas but is isolated by the fence, creating a safe habitat for native wildlife
Factors in Conservation Area Design
Surrounding Land Use
Agricultural Areas: Risk of pollution and habitat fragmentation.
Urban Areas: Higher risk of human disturbance and invasive species but can provide education and recreation opportunities.
Distance from Urban Centres
Close Proximity: Easier for public access and educational purposes but higher pressure from human activities.
Remote Locations: Reduced human disturbance but harder to manage and access.
Factors in Conservation Area Design
Effective conservation of biodiversity in conservation areas depends on:
A detailed understanding of the biology of the target species
The size and shape of the conservation area
These factors help ensure that the ecosystem or habitat:
Meets the needs of the species
Maintains ecological processes
Biology of target species
Habitat requirements: understanding what specific conditions the species needs to thrive, such as food, water, shelter and breeding sites
Home range: knowing the area size that individual animals or groups need to roam and find resources
Life cycle: understanding the different life stages of the species and their varying habitat requirements
Threats: identifying natural and human threats to the species, such as predation, disease, habitat destruction and climate change
Size and shape of conservation areas
Factors that need to be considered when designing protected areas include:
Size
Shape
Edge effects
Corridors
Proximity to potential human influence
Protected Area Design Factors
Criteria for designing protected area | Explanation |
|---|---|
Size | Larger areas can support more species, have larger populations and provide a greater range of habitats The size should be large enough to maintain viable populations of target species |
Shape | The shape of a protected area can affect its biodiversity by influencing the distribution of habitats and the movement of organisms A complex shape can increase edge effects, while a simple shape may not provide enough habitat variety Irregular shapes that follow natural features like rivers and ridges can provide better connectivity and help ecological processes |
Edge effects | Edge effects refer to the changes that occur at the boundary between two different habitats or land-use types, e.g. at the boundary of a protected area Protected areas with high edge-to-area ratios can have negative effects on biodiversity due to increased exposure to human disturbances, invasive species and variable microclimates Minimising edge effects can be achieved by creating protected areas with simple shapes or using buffer zones around the edges |
Corridors | Corridors are narrow strips of land that connect otherwise isolated areas of habitat They can facilitate the movement of organisms and allow for gene flow between populations Corridors can also provide additional habitat and increase the effective size of a protected area The effectiveness of corridors depends on their width, length and the surrounding land use |
Proximity to potential human influence | Human activities can have negative impacts on biodiversity Protected areas that are close to human settlements or infrastructure may be subject to habitat destruction, pollution and hunting It is important to balance the need for accessibility and the potential for human impact when designing protected areas |
Surrounding land use
Agricultural land: risk of pollution (e.g. via nutrient runoff), habitat fragmentation and human-wildlife conflicts
Urban areas: higher risk of human disturbance and spread of invasive species, but can provide education and recreational opportunities
Industrial areas: potential pollution and habitat destruction
Distance from urban centres
Close proximity: easier access for management and public education, but higher human pressure and disturbance
Remote locations: less human disturbance, better preservation of natural states, but harder for conservation workers to access and manage
Case Study
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve: The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Location: northeast coast of Australia
Biodiversity: over 1 500 species of fish, 411 types of hard coral and various marine mammals, birds and reptiles
International conservation importance: internationally recognised for its biodiversity and as a critical habitat for many endangered species
Conservation zoning
Core area:
Pristine coral reefs with minimal to no human activity allowed
Critical for the protection of the most vulnerable species
Buffer zones:
Areas surrounding the core where limited and regulated activities are allowed
E.g. sustainable fishing and sustainable tourism
Transition zones:
Outer areas where sustainable resource use and human activities are encouraged
Conservation occurs alongside economic activities
Human impacts and management strategies
Climate change:
Coral bleaching is due to rising sea temperatures
Strategies include monitoring and researching resilient coral species
Pollution:
Runoff from agriculture causes nutrient loading
Management includes reducing agricultural runoff through better farming practices
Overfishing:
Regulations on fishing practices
Quotas to ensure sustainable fish populations
Tourism:
Managing tourist numbers and activities to reduce impact on the reef
Exam Tip
Make sure you have a clear understanding of edge effects and how they can be affected by the size and shape of a protected area, or by the presence of a buffer zone.
Some protected areas use a core/buffer/transition zone model to ensure edge effects are minimised and the most important or vulnerable species are protected.
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