Syllabus concepts to know

• 3.2.1 Biological diversity is being adversely affected by both direct and indirect influences.
• 3.2.2 Most ecosystems are subject to multiple human impacts.
• 3.2.3 Invasive alien species can reduce local biodiversity by competing for limited resources, predation and introduction of diseases or parasites.
• 3.2.4 The global conservation status of species is assessed by the International Union for
• 3.2.5 Assigning a global conservation status publicizes the vulnerability of species and allows governments, non-governmental agencies and individual citizens to select appropriate conservation priorities and management strategies.
• 3.2.6 Investigate three different named species: a species that has become extinct due to human activity; a species that is critically endangered; and a species whose conservation status has been improved by intervention.
• 3.2.7 The tragedy of the commons describes possible outcomes of the shared unrestricted use of a resource, with implications for sustainability and the impacts on biodiversity.
• 3.2.8 Biodiversity hotspots are under threat from habitat destruction, which could lead to a significant loss of biological diversity, especially in tropical biomes.
• 3.2.9 Key areas that should be prioritized for biodiversity conservation have been identified on the basis of the international importance of their species and habitats.
• 3.2.10 In KBAs, there is conflict between exploitation, sustainable development and conservation.
• 3.2.11 Traditional indigenous approaches to land management can be seen as more sustainable but are facing challenges of population growth, economic development, climate change and a lack of governmental support and protection.
• 3.2.12 Environmental justice must be considered when undertaking conservation efforts to address biodiversity loss.
• 3.2.13 The planetary boundary “loss of biosphere integrity” indicates that species extinctions have already crossed a critical threshold.