(i) international and local conservation agreements made to protect…

The idea

Conservation agreements are formal commitments between countries or between organisations and communities that protect species and habitats. International agreements operate across national borders: CITES regulates trade in endangered species so that a species is not depleted by legal trade, and the Convention on Biological Diversity commits signatories to conserve biodiversity and use it sustainably. The Ramsar Convention protects wetlands of international importance as habitats for waterbirds and other species. Local agreements work at a smaller scale, for example a local wildlife trust managing a reserve under a management agreement with a landowner, or a community agreeing to protect a hedgerow or pond. Learn to distinguish the scale of each agreement and the mechanism it uses: trade restriction, habitat designation, or land management.

What earns the marks

• CITES is an international agreement controlling international trade in endangered species and their products.
• The Convention on Biological Diversity is an international agreement committing signatories to conserve biodiversity and use its components sustainably.
• The Ramsar Convention is an international agreement designating and protecting wetlands of international importance, especially as habitat for waterbirds.
• Local agreements involve organisations such as wildlife trusts or local authorities working with landowners or communities to manage and protect a named local habitat or species.
• The scale distinction matters: international agreements coordinate action between countries, while local agreements apply to a specific site or community.
• Agreements protect species and habitats by restricting harmful activity, designating protected areas, or setting management obligations.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Treating every conservation agreement as international.

  Put it right: Some agreements are local, made between a landowner and a wildlife trust or community for a specific site.

• Confusing CITES with a habitat-designation agreement.

  Put it right: CITES restricts trade in species and their products, whereas Ramsar designates wetland habitats.

• Assuming an agreement alone protects a species without any enforcement or management.

  Put it right: Protection depends on the obligations being implemented, such as trade controls or site management.

Exam tips

• Learn each named agreement with its scale (international or local) and its specific mechanism.
• When a question names an agreement, ask what it actually restricts or designates before choosing an option.
• Eliminate options that mix up trade control with habitat designation.