Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
BACKGROUND
Biological diversity - or biodiversity - is a term used to describe the
variety of life on Earth. It refers to the wide variety of ecosystems and
living organisms: animals, plants, their habitats and their genes.
Biodiversity is the foundation of life on Earth. It is crucial for the
functioning of ecosystems which provide us with products and
services without which we couldn’t live. Oxygen, food, fresh water,
fertile soil, medicines, shelter, protection from storms and floods,
stable climate and recreation - all have their source in nature and
healthy ecosystems. But biodiversity gives us much more than this.
We depend on it for our security and health; it strongly affects our
social relations and gives us freedom and choice.
AZA Criteria
Quality of living environment
- look for appropriate sized cages
- good signage
- structure and walkways are in good repair
- energy and resource conservation
High level of enrichment and care
- Exhibits for the physical, social and psychological well being
- behavioral enrichment
- social interactions
Involvement in conservation
- interpretive programs (info on species conservation)
- breeding programs (rare species)
- participation in field conservation programs
Active education programs
- good environmental education
- information on conservation issues, role of the institution,
contribution to local conservation, promotion of individual
stewardship
- cooperative programs with institutions of higher learning
Aesthetics
- attractive
- well maintained
- does design equal functionality