How do we preserve biodiversity? Biodiversity provides many goods and services essential to life on earth. Sudan was a captive rhino that lived at a zoo in Czechia for 34 years before being moved to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, where he died in March of this year, apparently from complications related to old age. In turn, biodiversity can contribute to agricultural productivity by contributing to pest control, pollination, soil fertility, and so on. Conservation is a priority for AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums and is a key component of their missions. How can captive-breeding programs and species-survival plans contribute to biodiversity and the health of ecosystems? 500 Cherry St. Sacramento, CA 95661. Human life relies on our ecosystems providing the life-sustaining services of providing oxygen, detoxifying our soil and water, providing materials for clothing and shelter and providing our food and the nutrients we require. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service play an essential role in the conservation of our state’s biodiversity. How are people preserving entire ecosystems and habitats? Ø Biodiversity in polar and mountain region are more vulnerable to climate changes (7). Ø The cause of disease may be natural or anthropological. Biodiversity refers to the variety of living species on Earth, including plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi. The management of natural resources can determine the baseline health status of a community. The report points to decreasing plant diversity in farmers’ fields, rising numbers of livestock breeds at risk of extinction and increases in the proportion of overfished fish stocks. Biodiversity loss can increase infectious diseases in humans, scientists show in a first-of-its-kind global study. But do zoos have enough of the 5,624 species of vertebrate species that are rated as vulnerable or endangered globally in their collections? 1). This week a number of people alerted me to a new international study called "A Global Evaluation of Biodiversity Literacy in Zoo and Aquarium Visitors." Dispose of hazardous material safely. 10 things you can do to help biodiversity by David Hooper Dept. (Species-survival plans coordinate with zoos around the world to bring species together for breeding that ensures genetic diversity.) Ø Introduced species may carries pathogens along with them Or do they focus on charismatic megafauna that dominate the world of conservation in order to attract customers? Also the keeping conditions sometimes do not meet highest standards and in a number of instances the enclosures reach rather soon their carrying capacity, because it is usually very difficult if not impossible to release the animals into the wild (and also difficult to find suitable and appropriate places in zoos), making it impossible to further accept more animals. Effect of Agriculture on Biodiversity & Why Protect it? It is apparent that the major contribution comes through their ex situ actions, including education programs, and captive breeding … Zoo conservation work can be “in-situ”, where money, expertise and sometimes staff are provided to protect animals and their habitats in the wild. Diseases: Ø Diseases can eliminate species from earth. Actions to facilitate the adaptation of ecosystems to climate change , such as the development of ecological corridors or networks, will be necessary to mitigate negative impacts on biodiversity. Environmental stewardship can contribute to secure livelihoods and improve the resilience of communities. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) oversee species survival plans designed to protect threatened/endangered species. Chemicals that enter the sewer system can contaminate freshwater and ocean ecosystems. Parks and reserves offer physical protection to endangered wildlife, while conservation and research programs target particular Australian native plants, animals and ecosystems under threat. As a result of this, more Chilean Flamingos will die, decreasing the population. What do zoos do? This article reviews the role of zoos in wildlife conservation and discusses the effectiveness of their present policies and actions. It has been suggested that zoos devote at least 10 % of their income to in situ conservation (Tribe and Booth 2003). These hotspots are suffering from habitat loss and destruction. As conservation “arks” for endangered species and, increasingly, as leaders in field conservation projects such as the reintroduction of captive-born animals to the wild, they’re preparing to play an even more significant role in the effort to save species in this century. 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