Session 1: The biodiversity crisis and conservation targets

Topic 1: Importance of biodiversity

1. Define the term biodiversity?

2. Explain why preserving biodiversity is important for the future?

Topic 2: Biodiversity pattern, past and present

3. Describe the current biodiversity global distribution pattern?

4. Extinction is the fate of all species. How have humans affected the global rate of
species extinction?

Topic 3: Pressures on biodiversity

5. List four indicators of the pressure on biodiversity?

6. Are projects centred on preserving ecosystem services detrimental for biodiversity

conservation?

Topic 4: Causes of species decline and extinction

7. Name the top two causes of species decline and extinction? How does each cause
affect a population leading to its decline?

8. What is an ecosystem tipping point and what characteristics are associated with
them?

Topic 5: Taking action Convention on Biological diversity and progress to date.

9. What are the aims of the Convention on Biological diversity?

10. Factors affecting the success of conservation actions depend on the scale of the
project. Discuss.