Legislation & Protocols for Conserving Biodiversity (Cambridge (CIE) AS Environmental Management)
Revision Note
Written by: Alistair Marjot
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Legislation & Protocols for Conserving Biodiversity
Protection of Species
Many countries have implemented legislation to protect biodiversity and prevent the extinction of species within their own territories
These national laws often establish protected areas, regulate hunting and fishing, and prohibit the trade of endangered species:
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
It prohibits the "taking" of listed species, their import, export, and interstate trade without permits
The ESA also requires the development of recovery plans and the designation of critical habitat areas for listed species
There are also many international laws and agreements aimed at conserving biodiversity and protecting species worldwide
Regulation of Sustainable Harvesting
Sustainable harvesting involves the extraction of biological resources in a manner that maintains their long-term ecological viability:
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
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
Case Study
Black cherry is a species of hardwood tree, found in North America, that is popular for furniture production
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
Sustainable harvesting of black cherry timber involves:
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
Leaving enough individuals behind in the forest to flower and produce seeds, ensuring that new black cherry saplings will germinate
Regular monitoring to ensure that new growth is keeping up with logging rates
Case Study
Pollock are a species of fish found across the North Pacific
The Alaska pollock fishery is the largest sustainably certified fishery in the world:
This certification is awarded by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
The fishery is considered to be sustainable because:
Pollock are a fast-growing species that can reproduce from the age of 3-4 years
Nets have minimal contact with the sea bed, so do not damage this habitat
The proportion of the fish caught that are not pollock, known as bycatch, is very low; less than 1%
According to regulation, any bycatch that is caught cannot be sold commercially, so it is in the interest of fishermen to avoid catching it
Close monitoring is carried out by science research vessels and by trained individuals on board commercial fishing vessels
Any areas where a higher than normal number of salmon bycatch occurs are closed off to fishing vessels
Organisations and Treaties
CITES
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
Its aim is to control the trade of endangered species and their associated products:
For example, elephants and their ivory tusks
CITES categorises endangered and vulnerable species into three appendices:
Appendix I: species that are endangered and face the greatest risk of extinction (for example, the red panda)
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)
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)
There are different trading regulations that apply to each appendix:
For species in Appendix I: all trade in the species and their associated products is banned
For species in Appendix II: trade is only granted if an export permit has been issued by the involved countries
For species in Appendix III: permits are required for regulated trade. Permits are easier to come by for species in this appendix
Scientists are continuously adding new species and reviewing the status of species already in the database
There are several concerns about the efficacy of CITES listings:
When the trade of a certain endangered species becomes illegal, its price increases
The increased economic value of the species can be a major incentive for people to break the law
International Whaling Commission (IWC)
Purpose: The IWC is an intergovernmental organisation established to regulate whaling and conserve whale populations worldwide
Activities: The commission sets catch limits, establishes protected areas, conducts scientific research and promotes conservation efforts to ensure the sustainable use of whale stocks
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)
Purpose: The EU CFP aims to manage and conserve fish stocks in European waters and promote sustainable fishing practices
Activities: It sets quotas, regulates fishing efforts, establishes conservation measures, promotes ecosystem-based management and supports the development of sustainable fisheries
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)
Purpose: The ITTO is an intergovernmental organisation promoting the conservation and sustainable management of tropical forests and the trade of tropical timber
Activities: It supports sustainable forest management practices, provides technical assistance, facilitates international cooperation and promotes certification schemes to ensure responsible timber trade
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
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
One of the duties that the IUCN carries out is assessing the conservation status of animal and plant species around the world:
Scientists use data and modelling to estimate the category each species should be in
Factors used to determine the conservation status of a population include:
Population size (smaller populations are usually at a greater risk of extinction)
Degree of specialisation
Distribution
Reproductive potential and behaviour
Geographic range
Degree of endemicity (i.e. if the species is only found in a single specific area)
Degree of habitat fragmentation
Quality of habitat
Trophic level (animals in higher trophic levels are usually at a greater risk of extinction)
Probability of extinction
The IUCN has their own classification system:
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
Species that have been assessed are categorised by the IUCN as:
LC = least concern
NT = near threatened
VU = vulnerable
EN = endangered
CR = critically endangered
EW = extinct in the wild
E = extinct
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)
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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