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Conserving Biodiversity
Yvonne Rydin
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| Seminar Introduction |
 The increasing loss of biodiversity on this planet is an uncontested fact: Populations and species are being eliminated faster than new ones are being discovered; naturally diverse vegetation is being replaced by artificial monocultures, and we lack sufficient knowledge about the species that are being lost. What is being done about it? Is it possible to combat species loss? Is this the best way of addressing the wider problems? Biodiversity is not just about the number of species and sites within a specific area, nor is it about the list of populations at risk from extinction. The essence of nature is not only diversity but also dynamism, and the interaction between species and habitat is of crucial importance. Biodiversity is threatened not only when species are made extinct, but also when the dynamics are disturbed. Conserving biodiversity is thus a delicate balancing act that many international and national bodies are striving to master. In this seminar Yvonne Rydin, professor of geography and environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science, examines the threat to biodiversity and the measures that are being adopted to combat and manage that threat. In Session 1, she explores how changes in land use impact on existing ecosystems, and she stresses the importance to governments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) of protecting identified areas from significant change in order to preserve the ecological status quo. In Session 2, she visits one such area: the Camley Street Nature Reserve in London. This site is surrounded by urban development and construction work, yet it has been developed by the local authority into a rich habitat, host to a variety of flora and fauna. In Sessions 3 and 4, Rydin describes the measures being taken by the government of the United Kingdom and by international organisations. Special protection areas, nature reserves and wetlands have been established with the aid of various directives, and legislative changes have ensured that biodiversity action remains high on the European agenda. This seminar provides a definitive guide to the threats to biodiversity being experienced in the United Kingdom and to the policies used to contest them.
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| Learning Objectives |
- Comprehend the relationship between the biodiversity of species and habitats.
- Describe the major threats to biodiversity in the world today.
- Explain how urban development and changes in land use affect species and habitat biodiversity.
- List the benefits of the Camley Street Nature Reserve and other such local initiatives.
- Explain the measures taken by the UK government and international organisations to conserve biodiversity.
- Explain the importance of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and describe how they are protected by law.
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| Credits |
Copyright The London School of Economics and Political Science, 2002
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| Technical Requirements |
To appreciate this seminar experience, it is critical that you have the appropriate software, plug-ins, and network connections. Please take the time to download the latest versions of the plug-ins mentioned below if you do not already have them.
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