Kathy Poon 6S 28

10. What are the importance to maintain biodiversity and the conservation of wildlife and their habitats? Suggest ways to protect the endangered species.

Biodiversity is a collective term encompassing species diversity, genetic diversity and ecosystem diversity.

The importance to maintain biodiversity is that all life forms are parts of the nature and each of them has a specific role in it. The loss of any one life form is irreversible. Every species helps scientists understand how life has evolved and how it will continue to evolve. The organisms in an ecosystem are interdependent. Each species forms important parts of food chains and plays a specific role in the ecosystem. For example, herbivores consume producers and transfer energy and essential nutrients to carnivores, and detritivores speed up the cycling processes of essential materials. This maintains a self-sufficient ecosystem. The diversity of ecosystems is biologically important. It is because organisms usually live in particular types of habitats, where the physical factors are suitable for them to survive. Biodiversity is an important part of our heritage, just like art, language and other cultural achievements. Humans have the role of stewardship of the natural world.

In Hong Kong, the agriculture, fisheries and conservation department is responsible for nature conservation. The works of the department include the development and management of country parks, marine parks marine reserves and other special sites for nature conservation, recreation, tourism and education; Provision of advice on nature conservation by developing proposals and planning strategies; Conduction of environmental impact assessments and identification of special environmental interest; Promotion of public awareness of nature conservation; Enforcement of legislation concerning nature conservation; Licensing control of international trade and curbing illegal trade in endangered species in Hong Kong.

In Hong Kong, the government has adopted policies to protect wildlife, including the

Establishment of nature reserves is an effective means of protecting wild. Legislation for controlling the import, export and possession of endangered species. Establishment of the Endangered Species Resources Centre by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department can help to educate the public about the protection of endangered species.