Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2024
First exams 2026
Biodiversity Management (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS))
Revision Note
Written by: Alistair Marjot
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Biodiversity Management
Importance of biodiversity management
Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth, including ecosystems, habitats, species and genetic diversity
Managing biodiversity is crucial for many reasons, including:
Ecosystem stability—biodiversity maintains ecosystem resilience to environmental changes
Medicine and pharmaceuticals—many medicines are derived from biodiversity, offering potential treatments for various diseases
Cultural and spiritual significance—biodiversity holds cultural and spiritual importance, preserving traditional knowledge
Economic benefits—biodiversity contributes to tourism and livelihoods, supporting local economies
Climate regulation—ecosystems help mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon dioxide
Pollination and food security—biodiversity, especially pollinators, is essential for crop pollination and food production.
Gathering Knowledge of Biodiversity
Effective biodiversity management requires comprehensive knowledge at both global and regional levels
Global biodiversity data collection
International organisations:
Organisations like the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) and WWF (World Wildlife Fund) gather data globally
For example, the IUCN Red List categorises species based on their extinction risk
Regional biodiversity data collection
National and local agencies:
Government-funded agencies, such as Natural England in the UK, collect data on local species and habitats
For example, Natural England conducts surveys on bird populations to monitor their status
Citizen science:
Involves public participation in scientific research
Volunteers collect data on local wildlife, which is then used by scientists
For example, the Big Butterfly Count in the UK engages the public in counting butterfly species
Voluntary organisations:
NGOs like The Wildlife Trusts (UK) work on local biodiversity projects
For example, the Wildlife Trusts have a long-term hedgehog monitoring programme
Training for data collection
Indigenous people:
Indigenous communities often possess detailed traditional knowledge of local ecosystems
Training helps integrate their knowledge with scientific methods
For example, indigenous rangers in Australia are trained to monitor and protect native species
Parabiologists:
These are local people trained to assist in biological research
They bridge the gap between local communities and scientific researchers
They may be used to gather information for use in conservation management
Biodiversity management strategies
There are many different biodiversity management strategies but the main categories are:
The creation of protected areas
The restoration of existing but damaged habitat
The implementation of sustainable management strategies
Protected areas:
Creating parks, reserves and conservation areas
For example, the establishment of marine protected areas to safeguard coral reefs
Habitat restoration:
Restoring degraded ecosystems to their natural state
For example, rewilding projects involve the restoration of ecosystems by reintroducing native species to their original habitats
Sustainable practices:
Encouraging sustainable agriculture, forestry and fishing
For example, certification schemes like Fair Trade promote sustainable farming practices
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