EXTENDING YOUR KNOWLEDGE

These questions are more general than the Interactive computer corrected questions. In fact, many of the questions may not have one correct answer. The purpose of these questions is to provide the users of the RAK with an opportunity to evaluate and apply their understanding of biodiversity and conservation.

In order to answer these questions you can return to the material in the main text to review information on each topic, you can get some ideas about the answer by discussing the issues they raise with some of your colleagues, or you can utilize the RAK web site and Bulletin Board to get help from other RAK users or from one of the content experts that participated in the development of the RAK.

1 Discuss in your own words your understanding of biodiversity and how it relates to the environment and biology of river systems.

2 Identify the three categories of diversity that are now being used to determine the biodiversity on both a local and international scale and discuss the meaning of each of the three categories.

3. Discuss the reasons why biodiversity is more than a purely biological concept and in particular the relationship between biodiversity and sustainable development.

4. Discuss why habitat loss is one of the most serious threats to the conservation of biodiversity and explain how habitat loss can effect the biodiversity of the Mekong River.

5. Describe some of the international agreements or initiatives such as the International Convention on Biodiversity, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, Agenda 21 and national biodiversity strategies and discuss how these are being implemented within your own country.