Solutions for

Protecting
Biodiversity
PAGE 179 -180
 CONTENTS OF THIS TEMPLATE
● There are many solutions to maintaining
and protecting biodiversity.
● Which solution or combination of
solutions is used depends on which
ecosystem is affected, how the
ecosystem has been affected, and
which species may need the most help.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Habitat Controlling
Restoration Invasive
01 and
Conservation
02 Species

Cleaning Up
Sustaining
and Reducing
03 Pollution 04 Populations

Reducing Impacts of
05 Climate Change
 01
Habitat
Restoration and
Conservation
Habitat Restoration and Conservation
● Two processes seek to restore
land that was damaged by
human intervention.
● Reforestation involves
planting trees to replace
trees that have been cut or
burned down.
● Reclamation refers to the
process of restoring land
disturbed by mining.
 02
Controlling
Invasive
Species
 Controlling Invasive Species
Three main methods, or technologies, are used to
control invasive species:
● mechanical controls-the use of physical
means, such as fences, barriers, weeding,
and trapping;
● chemical controls-the use of chemicals,
such as herbicides and pesticides; and
● biological controls-the use of other species
to combat an invasive species.
Which method (or methods) is used depends on
the life history of the species, such as how it
reproduces and spreads, the number of
organisms in a defined area, and financial cost.
 03
Cleaning Up and
Reducing
Pollution
 Cleaning up and reducing Pollution
● One action that has reduced
water pollution is the United
States Clean Water Act,
which regulates sources of
water pollution.
● People can help reduce
pollution by reducing the use
of harmful chemicals and
properly disposing of
wastes.
 04
Sustaining
Populations
 Sustaining Populations
● There are many
regulations in place
to help keep
populations of
organisms at
sustainable levels.
 05
Reducing
Impacts of
Climate Change
Reducing Impacts of Climate Change
● Scientists have concluded that the
main cause of current climate
change on Earth is an increase in
the concentration of greenhouse
gases in the atmosphere.
● The increase is the result of
burning fossil fuels (coal,
petroleum, and natural gas) for
electricity and heat in homes,
businesses, and industries, as
well as to run motor vehicles.
Reducing Impacts of Climate Change
● One way to reduce the impacts of
climate change is to make changes
that lessen the amount of
greenhouse gases being released
into the atmosphere.
● Switching from fossil fuels as
sources of energy to renewable
energy sources such as solar
power, wind power, and
geothermal power can help, as
none of these energy sources
release greenhouse gases.
Reducing Impacts of Climate Change
● As an individual, you can reduce
your use of energy by walking or
riding your bike rather than
riding in a vehicle.
● Using public transportation is also
more efficient than riding in a car
with only one other person.
● Recycling metal, paper, plastic,
and glass reduces the amount of
fuel required to manufacture
these materials.
 Saving an
Underwater
Wilderness
 How do Scientists help protect coral reefs
● Pollution and human activities, such as mining
and tourism, have damaged many
ecosystems, including coral reefs.
● Scientists and conservation groups are
working together to help protect coral reefs
and areas that surround them.
● One way is to create marine reserves where
no fishing or collection of organisms is
allowed.
Marine Reserves
 How do Scientists help protect coral reefs
● A team of scientists, including marine ecologists Dr. Dan
Brumbaugh and Kate Holmes from the American
Museum of Natural History, are investigating how well
reserves are working.
● These scientists compare how many fish of one
species live both inside and outside reserves.
● Their results indicate that more species of fishes and
greater numbers of each species live inside reserves
than outside-one sign that reefs in the area are
improving.
 How do Scientists help protect coral reefs
● Reef ecosystems do not have to be part of a reserve in order to
improve, however.
● Scientists can work with local governments to find ways to limit
damage to reef ecosystems.
● One way is to prevent overfishing by limiting the number of fishes
caught.
● Other ways include eliminating the use of destructive fishing
practices that can harm reefs and reducing runoff from farms and
factories.
● By creating marine reserves, regulating fishing practices, and
reducing runoff, humans can help reefs that were once in danger
become healthy again.
ACTIVITY
 ACTIVITY
1. How can you help to clean our
environment?
2. What is the difference between
reforestation and reclamation?
3. Why do we need to care a lot about our
biodiversity?