TOPIC 8 Pains and Gains The idea that Earth’s biological diversity is decreasing troubles many people, but what can we do to stop or even slow down the decline in Zoos began as private biodiversity? Why should we be concerned? What actions are available collections of exotic and how practical are they? Biologists, governments, and ordinary animals kept by the very citizens can all play a role in halting the decline. rich. These collections were similar to collections of stamps, coins, or fine The Role of Zoos in Preserving Biodiversity art. They were primarily for the enjoyment of the owner. The first public zoos were opened in the early 1800s in London, Vienna, and Paris. Today there are thousands of “zoos” around the world, and they range in size and quality from large, well-run and well-funded institutions to roadside attractions. Figure 1.65 The Calgary Zoo is known as one of the finest in the world. It opened in 1929 on St. George’s Island. Since then, the zoo has grown, and now exhibits 1100 animals, including endangered species such as whooping cranes and Siberian tigers. The zoo is a major tourist attraction and has thousands of visitors every year. Zoos are more than just a place to display plants and animals from around the world. The Calgary Zoo is an educational institution that runs school programs for elementary to high school students and is visited by students from across the province. The zoo is also a part of a worldwide network that is attempting to protect and preserve Sometimes it is very endangered animals. By exchanging animals between zoos, the network difficult to recreate an hopes to maintain the genetic diversity of these species. This genetic animal’s habitat in a zoo diversity is essential to species survival. In addition, the zoo initiates environment. In this and supports research on biodiversity around the world. situation, should the To many people, zoos are the only visible evidence of our attempt animal be kept in a zoo? to maintain biological diversity. The plants and animals are a concrete What if its natural environment is dwindling? reminder of the world outside our own experience. Others see zoos as Would that alter your the perfect answer to the problem of declining biodiversity. They argue thinking? Debate both that saving a few samples of the world’s different plants and animals is sides of the issue with a sufficient. Why should we slow progress and spend money to preserve patner or a group. the same species in the wilderness? Record your arguments in your Science Log. Pains and Gains • MHR 73 SKILLCHECK Initiating and Planning Performing and Recording 1-M Analyzing and Interpreting Communication and Teamwork Assessing Breeding Potential Think About It Data for Samples of Sperm Taken From Two Endangered Cats Imagine you are assisting Tiger Cheetah with a breeding program Variable (Tonghua) (Chuma) at the Calgary Zoo. The percent sperm moving actively 95 75 zoo already runs such a percent normal sperm 80 28 program with the Amur sperm concentration (millions/mL) 125 5 tiger, but is considering breeding cheetahs instead. 100 dog Your job is to assess and tiger red 80 wolf recommend which of the two cat human species will be the better candidate for the 60 program by comparing sperm concentrations in gorilla each species. 40 % Normal Sperm cheetah 20 What to Do 0 Compare the percentage of actively moving Species sperm for each animal. Record which has the Percent normal sperm in selected mammals highest percentage. How might this influence successful fertilization? 350 dog Compare the percentage of normal sperm in 300 each cat’s sample to the percentage of normal 250 200 sperm for the cat’s species. Is either animal red 150 cat wolf above or below the normal amounts? human tiger (million / mL) 100 Compare the sperm concentration for each 50 gorilla cat to the normal sperm concentration for its Sperm Concentration cheetah 0 species. Do both animals have enough sperm Species to fertilize an egg? Normal sperm concentration in selected mammals Analyze 1. Write a report recommending which animal is likely to be more successful in the breeding program. Use the results of your analysis to support your conclusion. 2. Based on your investigation, what conclusions can you draw about the The sperm on the left is normal. The abnormal sperm shown relative ability of each cat to reproduce? on the right is smaller and has a crooked flagellum. Animals with normal sperm are more likely to reproduce and to have healthy offspring. 74 MHR • Biological Diversity Preserving the Biodiversity of Plants www.mcgrawhill.ca/links/sciencefocus9 Seed banks are established to gather How would you design a good quality zoo? Evaluate your and store seeds from plants that are sources of information based on whether or not the site is up to threatened with extinction. In some date, is believable, and the extent to which its claims are supported by cases seed banks are run by compa- data. Write a short (one-page) report outlining your findings and nies that sell a wide variety of plants opinion. To begin your search you can visit the web site of the Calgary Zoo. Go to the web site above, and click on to gardeners and farmers. Such com- Web Links to find out where to go next. panies cater to individuals who want to grow something unusual or who live in specialized environments. Other seed banks are run by governments or universities for research purposes. One of the largest seed collections is in the Royal Botanic Gardens in London, England. The goal is to gather samples of 10% of the world’s seed-bearing plants. The seeds are stored at –20°C, and a few seeds of Suppose scientists have each sample are germinated every ten years. It is estimated the samples identified ten species of will last a couple of centuries. falcon. Five of these species are endangered and face By collecting seeds, researchers extinction. Three of the are able to preserve the genetic five endangered falcon diversity of many plant species. species are close genetic This diversity may be a useful cousins of a falcon that is resource in the future. Some tree not endangered. Which of planters have another method of the endangered falcons should we protect? All of maintaining genetic diversity in them? Or only the two the wild. Instead of replanting genetically distinct falcons? areas with trees grown from seed Write your thoughts in stocks, they use seeds that have your Science Log. been collected straight from the forest floor. Figure 1.66 Seed banks are one way of preserving the biological diversity of plants. However, many scientists would also like to preserve plant biodiversity as it exists in natural ecosystems. Pains and Gains • MHR 75 Figure 1.67 It is illegal to hunt leopards and cheetahs and sell their Figure 1.68 This rhinoceros is being protected skins. Even so, some people will pay a high price for these products. from poachers by guards. A Global Effort The preservation of biological diversity depends on both local efforts and global co-operation. The Eastern Slopes Grizzly Bear Project is a Canadian-based study to learn how human activities affect grizzlies in and around Banff National Park. Knowledge gained from the study is being applied locally in conservation efforts. However, because of the Some people believe demand for grizzly bear products outside of Canada, international co- that the gall bladders operation is needed to conserve the grizzly bear. of grizzly bears contain Global treaties have been drawn up to protect endangered plants and special properties. The organs are used in animals. The 1975 Convention on International Trade of Endangered certain folk remedies. Species (CITES) is aimed at preventing endangered plants, animals, There are people who or parts of these organisms from being imported or exported. This law are willing to pay makes it illegal to buy or sell endangered animals such as rare birds, poachers large amounts reptiles, or amphibians. It also makes it illegal to buy or sell animal of money to illegally parts such as rhino horns or elephant tusks, which are used to make hunt grizzlies for their jewellery, sculptures, or folk remedies. Five hundred species are identified gall bladders. for protection by CITES. In addition, one hundred and eighty countries have signed the 1992 Convention on Biodiversity and have agreed to set up protected areas for threatened and endangered species. The job of saving biodiversity is not just up to our governments. Groups such as the Canadian Wildlife Federation and Canadian Nature Federation educate the public www.mcgrawhill.ca/links/ and bring issues about biodiversity to our sciencefocus9 governments’ attention. Some groups What can you as an individual do to preserve Earth’s biodi- support conservation efforts financially or versity? One possibility would be to join a group that supports through active participation. Science can conservation. Research the activities of one such group and write a newspaper article presenting what you find out. You may use a teach us about biodiverstiy, and maybe computer to create graphics for your article and to design even how to preserve it. What we decide the layout. To begin your search, go to the web site to do with this knowledge is up to us. above, and click on Web Links to find out where to go next. 76 MHR • Biological Diversity Find Out Protected Areas of the World Protected areas are preserves, refuges, and Area of country Area protected % Land national parks set up to protect wildlife and Country (km2) (km2) protected habitat.