(a)(i) What is conservation?
(ii) State six factors responsible for the decline of the abundance and variety of wildlife.
(b) Outline six ways in which the government can improve the situation in (a)(ii) above.
(c)(i) What is Eutrophication?
(ii) State two causes of eutrophication.
Explanation
(a)(i) Conservation: Planned/wise/judicious use/management of the earth's natural resources; in order to ensure sustenance/availability/continuity; and preservation of the quality of the natural/original nature of the environment.
(ii) Factors responsible for decline of abundance and variety of wildlife:
- Commercial hunting which kills off animals indiscriminately
- industrialization which involves clearing of forests
- for various purposes/construction/farming/urbanization
- destruction of habitats of wildlife by human activities
- bush burning/noise pollution leads to wildlife migration
- environmental pollution which releases dangerous materials that degrades environment making it unbearable for the wildlife
- massive/excessive tree felling to make charcoal/domestic uses
- lack of awareness/inadequate education of populace on the need for conservation
- lack of adequate funding to enforce conservation policy.
(b) Ways by which the Government can improve the situation:
- establishment of forestry departments
- establishment of Environment Protection Agency to improve the situation
- creation of Parks and Games Reserves/any correctly named example; to preserve/maintain plants and animals in their natural environment
- conservation education carried out through tree planting! campaigns against bush burning/ tree felling /poaching
- conservation laws to regulate tree felling; poaching/hunting of wild animals and bush burning
- establishment of zoological gardens preserving endangered species.
(c)(i) Eutrophication: Excessive growth of plant life/algae/algal bloom; in water courses/bodies, caused by an increase in organic nutrients and minerals; leading to the death of aquatic organisms.
(ii) Causes of eutrophication: Overuse of fertilisers/plant nutrients which drain off into water bodies; sewage discharge; was from fish farming.