4.4.8Unit 4: Energy, Environment, Microbiology and Immunity
Roles of Seed Banks and Zoos in Conservation — IAL Edexcel Linear Revision Notes & Topical Questions
5 min read 4 parts Lesson 28 of 28 Unit quiz
Curriculum Equation Key قوانين الرقم الهيدروجيني والاتزان الأيوني - pH & Acid-Base Equilibrium FormulasFast Exam Solution
pH = -log[H⁺] | pOH = -log[OH⁻] | pH + pOH = 14 | [H⁺][OH⁻] = 10⁻¹⁴
Word Equation & Conditions: الرقم الهيدروجيني = -لوغاريتم تركيز أيون الهيدروجين | pH + pOH = 14
Location & Specifications: الاتزان الأيوني، كيمياء 3 ثانوي، التحصيلي، و AP Chemistry.
Part 1 of 4Approaches to Conservation
Extinction reduces biodiversity, so endangered species need protecting for future generations.
Approaches to Conservation
In situ
- In situ Ideally species are kept in natural habitat, as in national and marine parks, because all their support systems are already there.
Ex situ
- Ex situ When that is not possible, species are held in captivity in zoos, botanic gardens, frozen zoos and seed banks.
Aim
- Aim To protect and manage species so that they survive to be used and enjoyed by later generations.
Part 2 of 4Seed Banks
A seed bank dries and stores seeds in a temperature-controlled environment.
Method
- Method Seeds of the same species are collected from different sites to maintain genetic diversity, and can be grown again if the species is lost.
Renewal
- Renewal Seeds can be stored only for a limited time, so they are grown periodically and fresh seed is taken.
Svalbard
- Svalbard The Global Seed Vault in Norway, in the Arctic Circle, holds seeds of crop plants from many organisations.
Limits
- Limits Some seeds, such as coffee and cocoa, cannot be frozen, so living plants or tissue cultures must be kept instead.
Benefits
- Benefits They support research, provide a stock of useful plants that relieves pressure on wild populations, and educate people.
Part 3 of 4Zoos and Reintroduction
Zoos run captive breeding programmes and carry out research, but they have limitations.
1
Captive breeding produces offspring that can be released, as with the oryx saved from extinction and reintroduced in Africa.
2
Zoos allow close study of genetics, behaviour and needs, though captive behaviour may not match that in the wild.
3
Problems include loss of genetic diversity in small populations, species that will not breed in captivity, unsuitable habitats and ethical concerns.
4
Success is not guaranteed, because some species breed poorly in captivity and few captive-bred animals may ever be released.
5
Reintroduction can restore degraded habitats and help dependent species, but animals may carry new diseases or lack skills for finding food.
Part 4 of 4Exam Checklist & Tips
4.4.8 – Key Points for the Exam
- Seed bank A facility that stores dried seeds under controlled conditions to conserve plant diversity.
- Captive breeding Breeding endangered animals in zoos so that offspring can be released.
- Reintroduction Releasing captive-bred or stored organisms back into their natural habitat.
- Endangered species A species at risk of becoming extinct.
Common Mistakes
- Saying all seeds can be frozen and stored indefinitely, when some species need other methods and stored seed must be renewed.
- Presenting zoos as having only advantages and ignoring genetic diversity loss and ethical issues.
- Forgetting that conserving species in their natural habitat is the preferred method when possible.
- Assuming that reintroduction always succeeds, when released animals may lack skills or bring in disease.
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