Exam code:8291
Legislation & Protocols for Conserving Biodiversity
Protection of Species
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Many countries have implemented legislation to protect biodiversity and prevent the extinction of species within their own territories
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These national laws often establish protected areas, regulate hunting and fishing, and prohibit the trade of endangered species:
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For example, in the United States, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 is a comprehensive law that provides for the conservation of threatened and endangered species and their habitats
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It prohibits the “taking” of listed species, their import, export, and interstate trade without permits
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The ESA also requires the development of recovery plans and the designation of critical habitat areas for listed species
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There are also many international laws and agreements aimed at conserving biodiversity and protecting species worldwide
Regulation of Sustainable Harvesting
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Sustainable harvesting involves the extraction of biological resources in a manner that maintains their long-term ecological viability:
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It aims to ensure that the rate of resource use does not exceed the rate of natural replenishment, thereby preventing overexploitation and depletion of populations
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Sustainable harvesting practices may include setting quotas, size limits and seasonal closures, as well as implementing restrictions on harvesting equipment and creating protected areas or no-take zones
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Case Study
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Black cherry is a species of hardwood tree, found in North America, that is popular for furniture production
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Hardwood tree species grow slowly, so it is especially important that sustainable harvesting methods are used; methods such as clear felling will leave no timber for many years to come
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Sustainable harvesting of black cherry timber involves:
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Selective felling; choosing specific individual trees to harvest, leaving gaps in the forest canopy that will encourage growth of more plants on the forest floor
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Leaving enough individuals behind in the forest to flower and produce seeds, ensuring that new black cherry saplings will germinate
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Regular monitoring to ensure that new growth is keeping up with logging rates
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Case Study
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Pollock are a species of fish found across the North Pacific
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The Alaska pollock fishery is the largest sustainably certified fishery in the world:
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This certification is awarded by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
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The fishery is considered to be sustainable because:
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Pollock are a fast-growing species that can reproduce from the age of 3-4 years
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Nets have minimal contact with the sea bed, so do not damage this habitat
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The proportion of the fish caught that are not pollock, known as bycatch, is very low; less than 1%
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According to regulation, any bycatch that is caught cannot be sold commercially, so it is in the interest of fishermen to avoid catching it
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Close monitoring is carried out by science research vessels and by trained individuals on board commercial fishing vessels
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Any areas where a higher than normal number of salmon bycatch occurs are closed off to fishing vessels
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Organisations and Treaties
CITES
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The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) is a global agreement that has been signed by over 150 countries
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Its aim is to control the trade of endangered species and their associated products:
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For example, elephants and their ivory tusks
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CITES categorises endangered and vulnerable species into three appendices:
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Appendix I: species that are endangered and face the greatest risk of extinction (for example, the red panda)
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Appendix II: species that are not currently endangered or facing extinction, but will be unless trade is closely controlled (for example, the venus fly trap)
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Appendix III: species included at the request of the country that is regulating the trade of the species and trying to prevent its overexploitation (for example, the two-toed sloth in Costa Rica)
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There are different trading regulations that apply to each appendix:
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For species in Appendix I: all trade in the species and their associated products is banned
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For species in Appendix II: trade is only granted if an export permit has been issued by the involved countries
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For species in Appendix III: permits are required for regulated trade. Permits are easier to come by for species in this appendix
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Scientists are continuously adding new species and reviewing the status of species already in the database
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There are several concerns about the efficacy of CITES listings:
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When the trade of a certain endangered species becomes illegal, its price increases
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The increased economic value of the species can be a major incentive for people to break the law
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International Whaling Commission (IWC)
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Purpose: The IWC is an intergovernmental organisation established to regulate whaling and conserve whale populations worldwide
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Activities: The commission sets catch limits, establishes protected areas, conducts scientific research and promotes conservation efforts to ensure the sustainable use of whale stocks
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Challenges: The IWC faces challenges such as differing opinions on whaling practices, illegal whaling activities and balancing conservation objectives with cultural and economic interests
European Union Common Fisheries Policy (EU CFP)
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Purpose: The EU CFP aims to manage and conserve fish stocks in European waters and promote sustainable fishing practices
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Activities: It sets quotas, regulates fishing efforts, establishes conservation measures, promotes ecosystem-based management and supports the development of sustainable fisheries
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Implementation: The policy is implemented through regulations, directives and measures that govern fishing activities, fleet capacity, discards and conservation of marine habitats
International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO)
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Purpose: The ITTO is an intergovernmental organisation promoting the conservation and sustainable management of tropical forests and the trade of tropical timber
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Activities: It supports sustainable forest management practices, provides technical assistance, facilitates international cooperation and promotes certification schemes to ensure responsible timber trade
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Member Countries: The ITTO consists of producer and consumer member countries, working together to address issues such as deforestation, illegal logging and forest degradation in tropical regions
IUCN
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The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it
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One of the duties that the IUCN carries out is assessing the conservation status of animal and plant species around the world:
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Scientists use data and modelling to estimate the category each species should be in
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Factors used to determine the conservation status of a population include:
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Population size (smaller populations are usually at a greater risk of extinction)
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Degree of specialisation
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Distribution
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Reproductive potential and behaviour
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Geographic range
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Degree of endemicity (i.e. if the species is only found in a single specific area)
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Degree of habitat fragmentation
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Quality of habitat
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Trophic level (animals in higher trophic levels are usually at a greater risk of extinction)
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Probability of extinction
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The IUCN has their own classification system:
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There are several different categories and levels that a species can fall into depending on its population numbers and the threats and risks to those populations
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Species that have been assessed are categorised by the IUCN as:
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LC = least concern
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NT = near threatened
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VU = vulnerable
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EN = endangered
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CR = critically endangered
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EW = extinct in the wild
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E = extinct
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Species can also be classed as DD (data deficient) when there is not enough data on which to base a category choice, or as NE (not evaluated)
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Animals that are on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ can be seen online as this list is made public
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