Good afternoon to all readers of the Bioblogosphere! To your attention tasks of topic 18 « Activities for conservation of species biodiversity».
Task formulation 18-1. In the Earth's geological history, species emergence and extinction constantly took place in the biosphere; all species have a finite lifetime. Species extinction is a natural process of the evolution. Why are scientists and the public so excited about this process?
Answer: currently, under the influence of anthropogenic factors, biological diversity is being reduced due to the elimination (extinction, destruction) of species. In the last century, under the influence of human activity, the extinction rate of species has exceeded the natural rate many times (by some estimates, 40,000 times). Irreversible and uncompensated destruction of the unique gene pool of the planet.
Task formulation 18-2. In order to protect most species, large populations are needed, and species with small populations face a real extinction risk. Name the main causes that make small populations exposed to rapid population decrease and local extinction.
Answer: the main reasons that make small populations susceptible to rapid population decline and local extinction: 1) genetic problems arising from the loss of genetic diversity, related crosses and gene drift; 2) demographic fluctuations due to an accidental change in the ratio of birth and death rates; 3) fluctuations in numbers associated with predators, competition, diseases, natural disasters in the form of fires, floods, droughts.
Task formulation 18- 3. Why are there no useless and harmful species in terms of biodiversity? Prove it with examples.
Answer: the principle of the need to preserve biodiversity is consistent with the basic principles of bioethics: "every form of life is unique and inimitable", "every form of life has a right to exist", "what is not created by us should not be destroyed by us."
Task formulation 18- 4. It is known that the ecosystems richest in species diversity are rainforests, which occupy about 7% of the planet’s surface and contain more than 90% of all species. Why did this happen and what are the reasons?
Answer: They have many millions of species unknown to science. Tropical rainforests are called the "pearl of the Earth" and the "great world pharmacy", because more than a quarter of natural medicines are found there. They are common in the equatorial belt, north of the equator to 25 N and south to 30 S. This is due to the fact that in this area the most favorable conditions for the existence of living organisms.
Task formulation 18- 5. What is the ecological rule of biodiversity and extinction cascade related to it?
Answer: the ecological rule of biodiversity is that the more heterogeneous and complex the biogeocenosis is, the higher its stability and ability to withstand various external adverse effects. Species in the process of evolution have adapted to each other so much that they seem to “care” for the integrity, stability, and optimal structure of their biogeocenosis. The disappearance of a key species, even making up an insignificant part of the biomass of the community, can trigger a series of interconnected extinctions of other species - the cascade of extinction.
Task formulation 18- 6. Why did the first edition of the Red List of Threatened Species in 1966 include 310 species of «Mammals» and 320 species of «Birds», but only 162 species of «Amphibians and reptiles» and 40 species of «Fishes»?
Answer: perhaps because mammals and birds are the most common in modern nature and it is technically easier to establish their numbers.
Task formulation 18- 7. Why is the Red List of Threatened Species not stitch-bound?
Answer: the international List of endangered species is not stitched and any page (sheet) can be replaced by another as new data is received.
Task formulation 18- 8. Why are natural reserves first of all necessary for creating unique natural conditions, «standards»?
Answer: the creation in nature reserves, as a kind of "standards" of natural conditions necessary for the conservation and development of all types of animals and plants.
Task formulation 18- 9. The Steller’s sea cow from the sirens was exterminated by 1768. The last wild tour died in 1627. How can you explain the disappearance of these animals?
Steller's cow
Answer: Steller's cow was discovered in 1741 by Vitus Bering. Named after George Steller, the expedition doctor who described this animal. By the time the Steller’s cow was discovered, it lived only off the coast of the Commander Islands. The Steller’s cow led a sedentary lifestyle, ate seaweed, keeping close to the shore; not able to dive. Exterminated by 1768, paid due to tasty meat, slowness and lack of fear of man.
Task formulation 18- 10. What does the status of «restored species» mean? What does it indicate? Give examples of restored species.
Answer: Restored species. Previously, they belonged to the categories E, V or R, now thanks to measures for protection and exploitation, for example, the bison, saiga, Amur tiger, polar bear, kulan, northern sea otter, white crane or Siberian Crane, bustard. They need constant monitoring.
Task formulation 18- 11. What are the main goals of creating natural national parks? Explain how national parks differ from nature reserves?
Answer: natural parks are territories that are distinguished by special environmental and aesthetic value, with a relatively soft security regime and are used mainly to organize recreation for the population. Zakazniks are territories created for a certain period of time (in some cases permanently) to preserve or restore natural complexes or their components and maintain the ecological balance. There are landscape, forest, ichthyological, ornithological and other types of nature reserves.
Task formulation 18- 12. How do Russia's environmental legislation relate to state environmental standards?
Answer: Law is a unified system of generally binding rules (norms) that are established or authorized by the state. Compliance with the rule of law is enforced by the state. Environmental law is a branch of law that regulates social relations in the field of interaction between society and nature. The general provisions of the environmental legislation of Russia are specified in state standards, which, like decisions, instructions and decisions, relate to by-laws. A standard is a normative and technical document establishing a set of norms, rules, requirements that are binding.
Task formulation 18- 13. Genetic banks of global scientific center store plant seeds, frozen tissue and germ cells (usually frozen sperm). Explain why is it necessary? Where and why is the largest gene bank located?
Answer: banks of frozen cells of endangered animal species have been created in a number of scientific centers of the world. Tissue culture is used to preserve those plant species in which the seeds do not have a dormant period and therefore quickly lose their germination. As a rule, seeds of cultivated plants are stored in banks. There are more than 50 such storages in the world. The largest genebank is located in Norway in the permafrost zone.
Task formulation 18- 14. What are the main methods and practical recommendations for conservation of biological diversity?
Answer: 1. Creation and expansion of a system of specially protected natural territories are reserves, national parks, nature reserves, natural monuments. 2. Recreation of lost and deformed landscapes, natural communities, restoration of original species diversity. 3. Environmental optimization of various forms of environmental management. 4. The use of a system of measures to maintain and increase biodiversity and biological productivity of natural and semi-natural ecosystems:
Task formulation 18- 15. The smallest and largest animals are the first to be hit when populations are at extinction risk. In the Earth’s history there were five mass animal extinctions, and experts predict the sixth mass extinction onset. Medium-sized species are almost always out of danger in the «life zone». What are the causes for this?
Answer: the largest animals are threatened by anthropogenic activities - hunting, fishing, poaching. About 90% of animal species weighing more than one kilogram are at risk. The smallest animals are threatened by changes in climate and environmental conditions. Their habitats are limited.
Task formulation 18- 16. Animal welfare activists protect the rights of silkworm larvae. Gandhi, for example, was a strong opponent of silk. Convinced green consumers shun expensive clothing sections. Indeed, one dress made of natural silk is worth the life of 50 thousand silkworms. How can silk be produced without killing silkworms?
Answer: biotechnology from AMSilk Munich has created Biosteel, a fiber made from spider DNA. It undergoes fermentation in steel tanks where genetically modified bacteria produce a white powder that can be twisted into a silky thread. A Biosteel thread no thicker than a pencil could tear a Boeing 747. The natural properties of Biosteel are more acceptable to the human body than other synthetic materials; possible medical applications are being studied. A fabric made of such fiber feels as warm and soft as ordinary silk, but it is easier to wash and wear.
Task formulation 18-17. In the USA, a movement for abandoning ideal lawns is growing. There are programs that pay for replacing the lawn with natural plants. For starters, homeowners are less likely to use lawn mowers. What negative properties lawns is it connected with?
Answer: The United States spends between $ 47 billion and $ 82 billion annually on lawn pruning and gardening. Outwardly, the lawn is ideal , but nothing grows on it except grass, which contradicts the basic principles of ecology. The biodiversity of such a lawn is no different from the biodiversity of a concrete slab. Very few living things use lawns such as the habitat. Such sterile lawns reduce by 4-8 times the population of butterflies and birds in urban areas. Americans pour 10 times more fertilizer on lawns than farmers on fields. Add a huge amount of water for irrigation. About 35 thousand people are injured each year while using a lawn mower, and amputation is not a rare occurrence. Mowers kill about 70 Americans a year. In the USA, the movement for abandoning ideal lawns is growing.
Thank you for attention! That's all for today! Bye Bye! Have a good day! Take eco-knowledge from me, but give me a like :-)))