Pains and Gains Topic 8 Biological Diversity

The Role of Zoos in Preserving Biodiversity Zoos are not only a place for class trips or a cool place to hang out on the weekend Zoos are also part of a worldwide network that is attempting to protect and preserve endangered animals This will in turn maintain the genetic diversity of these species Zoos and Conservation

Preserving the Biodiversity of Plants Like zoos, there are worldwide attempts to maintain genetic diversity of plants Seed Banks: –A collection of genetically diverse seeds

Preserving the Biodiversity of Plants Some seed banks are created by companies that sell a wide variety of plants to gardeners and farmers Other seed banks are run by governments or universities for research purposes

Preserving the Biodiversity of Plants The largest seed collection is in the Royal Botanic Gardens (ie. Kew Gardens) in London England. The goal is to gather samples of 10% of the world’s seed-bearing plants.

Preserving the Biodiversity of Plants These seed banks hold the genetic diversity of many plants on the planet and may be a useful resource in the future.

A Global Efforts Preservation of biological diversity depends on both local efforts and global co-operation –Ex. The Eastern Slopes Grizzly Bear Project is a Canadian-based study to learn how human activities affect grizzles in and around Banff National Park

A Global Efforts Global Treaties: –International agreements between many nations worldwide

A Global Efforts Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES): –The 1975 Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) is aimed at preventing endangered plants, animals or parts of these organisms from being imported or exported. –Roughly 500 species are identified for protection by CITES. –Over 180 countries have agreed to the treaty

A Global Efforts World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF): –The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is an international non-governmental organization working on issues regarding the conservation, research and restoration of the environment, formerly named the World Wildlife Fund, which remains its official name in Canada and the United States. internationalnon-governmental organizationconservation researchrestorationenvironmentCanada United States

A Global Efforts World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF): –It is the world's largest independent conservation organization with over 5 million supporters worldwide, working in more than 90 countries, supporting around 1300 conservation and environmental projects around the world. –It is a charity, with approximately 60% of its funding coming from voluntary donations by private individuals. –45% of the fund's income comes from the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States. NetherlandsUnited Kingdom