Conservation
Section: Biology | Syllabus: Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science (0653)
Why Organisms Become Endangered or Extinct
| Cause | How it threatens species |
|---|---|
| Climate change | Alters habitats and food availability faster than some species can adapt |
| Habitat destruction | Loss of food, shelter and breeding sites causes population decline |
| Hunting | Reduces population size directly |
| Overharvesting | Removing more individuals than can be replaced by reproduction |
| Pollution | Toxic substances can kill organisms or reduce their reproductive success |
| Introduced species | Invasive species can compete with, prey on, or bring disease to native species |
How Endangered Species Can Be Conserved
| Method | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Monitoring and protecting species and habitats | Tracking population trends and designating protected areas helps prevent further habitat loss |
| Education | Raises public awareness, encouraging behaviour that reduces poaching and habitat destruction |
| Captive breeding programmes | Breeding endangered animals in zoos or conservation centres, with offspring later released into the wild |
| Seed banks | Storing seeds of endangered plant species for future use or replanting |
Interactive revision notes, videos and practice questions load below.