Unit 3: Conservation biology & Restoration of the natural environment

Topic & Major Objective

Subject Content

Knowledge expected

Conservation Biology

Basic principles:

a) Definition of conservation biology

b) The development of conservation biology in recent years

Candidates should be made aware that ‘Conservation Biology’ is a new branch in science designed to promote practical methods to protect/restore the natural environment.

Reasons for conservation.

a) Aesthetic

b) Ecological

c) Economical

d) Ethical/moral

Candidates should be able to explain that conservation of any resource (biotic/abiotic) is important for a variety of reasons. Each reason should be accompanied by a brief explanation.

Tools used in conservation biology

(This topic should make candidates aware that social, legal, moral and scientific issues all interrelate to produce effective environmental protecting mechanisms)

Protecting the natural environment by establishing protected areas:

a) National Parks

b) Wildlife Reserves

c) Conservation areas

d) Marine protected/marine conservation areas

Candidates are expected to know one example of each and the way how each area protects the natural capital within it.

Restoring damaged natural systems:

a) Research & restoration.

b) Identification of keystone species & other key factors.

c) Reclamation of derelict & polluted land, decontamination.

d) Restoring by direct intervention, restoring by non-intervention.

Candidates should investigate how damaged systems can be repaired and how polluted and abandoned land can be rehabilitated to its original state or to an alternative use.

Candidates should assemble a comprehensive notion of how the state of the natural environment can be improved following specific scientific techniques.

Legislative tools:

a) CITES

b) Agenda 21

Candidates should be aware that conservation biology must go beyond scientific principles and theory and must be assisted by a number of socio-political tools.

The major principles underlining these programs/conventions and their ultimate aims should be briefly discussed to allow candidates to appreciate their worth as environmental protecting tools. Knowledge about the actual content is NOT expected.

Legal aspects should NOT be considered in this section.