Biology, 9th ed, Sylvia Mader Chapter 50 Chapter 50 Conservation Biology Conservation Biology

Biology, 9th ed, Sylvia Mader Outline Chapter 50 Conservation Biology Conservation Biology & Biodiversity Extinction Rates Value of Biodiversity Direct Value Indirect Value Causes of Extinction Habitat Loss Alien Species Pollution Overexploitation Conservation Techniques

Conservation Biology and Biodiversity Biology, 9th ed, Sylvia Mader Conservation Biology and Biodiversity Chapter 50 Conservation Biology Considers all aspects of biodiversity General goal is conserving natural resources for this and future generations Primary goal is the management of biodiversity for sustainable use by humans

Conservation Biology and Biodiversity Biology, 9th ed, Sylvia Mader Conservation Biology and Biodiversity Chapter 50 Conservation Biology Conservation biology supports certain ethical principles Biodiversity is desirable for the biosphere Extinctions due to human actions are undesirable Ecosystem interactions supporting biodiversity are desirable Biodiversity brought about by evolutionary change has value in and of itself

Biology, 9th ed, Sylvia Mader Biodiversity Chapter 50 Conservation Biology At its simplest level, biodiversity is the variety of species on Earth Estimated that between 5 and 15 million species currently exist Genetic diversity refers to variations among the members of a population Community diversity increases biodiversity Landscape diversity involves a group of interacting ecosystems

Biology, 9th ed, Sylvia Mader Genetic Diversity Chapter 50 Conservation Biology If a population is small and isolated, it is more likely to become extinct because of limited genetic diversity. Ex: potato blight (1846), wheat failure (1922), citrus canker (1984). Endangered species – in peril of immediate extinction throughout most or all of its range. Ex: giant panda, hawksbill turtle, California condor. Threatened species – likely to become endangered in the future. Conservation efforts of the past focused on saving a species with human appeal, termed a charismatic species. Ex: black-footed ferret, spotted owl. 1.A.2: Loss of genetic diversity within a crop species 4.C.3: California condor 4.C.3: Black-footed ferrets

Number of Described Species Biology, 9th ed, Sylvia Mader Number of Described Species Chapter 50 Conservation Biology

Biology, 9th ed, Sylvia Mader Biodiversity Chapter 50 Conservation Biology Biodiversity hotspots Contain about 20% of earth’s species Represent only about 1% of earth’s land area

Eagles and Bears Feed on Spawning Salmon Biology, 9th ed, Sylvia Mader Eagles and Bears Feed on Spawning Salmon Chapter 50 Conservation Biology

Biology, 9th ed, Sylvia Mader Value of Biodiversity Chapter 50 Conservation Biology Direct Value Medicinal Value Agricultural Value Crops Biological Pest Controls Pollinators Consumptive Use Value Wood Skins 2.D.1: Species diversity

Direct Value of Wildlife Biology, 9th ed, Sylvia Mader Direct Value of Wildlife Chapter 50 Conservation Biology

Biology, 9th ed, Sylvia Mader Value of Biodiversity Chapter 50 Conservation Biology Indirect Value Biogeochemical Cycles Waste Disposal Provision of Fresh Water Prevention of Soil Erosion Regulation of Climate Ecotourism 2.D.3: Water limitation

Indirect Value of Ecosystems Biology, 9th ed, Sylvia Mader Indirect Value of Ecosystems Chapter 50 Conservation Biology

Biology, 9th ed, Sylvia Mader Causes of Extinction Chapter 50 Conservation Biology Habitat Loss Occurs in all ecosystems Recent concern focused on tropical rain forests and coral reefs Habitat Fragmentation 1.C.1: Human impact on ecosystems and species extinction rates 4.B.4: Logging, slash and burn agriculture, urbanization, mono-cropping, infrastructure development (dams, transmission lines, roads), and global climate change threaten ecosystems and life on Earth.

Biology, 9th ed, Sylvia Mader Chapter 50 Habitat Loss Conservation Biology

Biology, 9th ed, Sylvia Mader Alien Species Chapter 50 Conservation Biology Nonnative species that move, or are moved, into a new ecosystem Often have competitive edge against native species Avenues of Human Introduction Colonization Horticulture and Agriculture Accidental Transport 2.D.3: Invasive and/or eruptive species 2.D.3: Human Impact 4.A.5: Introduction of species 4.B.4: An introduced species can exploit a new niche free of predators or competitors, thus exploiting new resources.

Biology, 9th ed, Sylvia Mader Chapter 50 Alien Species Conservation Biology 4.B.3: Kudzu

Biology, 9th ed, Sylvia Mader Pollution Chapter 50 Conservation Biology Any environmental change that adversely affects living things Acid Deposition Eutrophication Ozone Depletion Organic Chemicals Global Warming

Biology, 9th ed, Sylvia Mader Chapter 50 Global Warming Conservation Biology 4.A.5: Global climate change models

Biology, 9th ed, Sylvia Mader Overexploitation Chapter 50 Conservation Biology When the harvest is so great that the population becomes severely reduced in numbers The market forces driving the harvest: Exotic Pets Hunting / Poaching Over-Harvesting Fisheries

Biology, 9th ed, Sylvia Mader Chapter 50 Trawling Conservation Biology

Conservation Techniques Biology, 9th ed, Sylvia Mader Conservation Techniques Chapter 50 Conservation Biology Habitat Preservation Keystone Species Metapopulations Small populations isolated because of habitat fragmentation Source Populations Sink Populations 4.B.3: Loss of keystone species

Biology, 9th ed, Sylvia Mader Habitat Preservation Chapter 50 Conservation Biology

Conservation Techniques Biology, 9th ed, Sylvia Mader Conservation Techniques Chapter 50 Conservation Biology Landscape Preservation Landscape protection for one species benefits other wildlife in the same space Edge Effect The edge around a patch of habitat has conditions different from the patch interior Edge does not count as effective habitat for species requiring the conditions of the interior

Biology, 9th ed, Sylvia Mader Chapter 50 Edge Effect Conservation Biology

Conservation Techniques Biology, 9th ed, Sylvia Mader Conservation Techniques Chapter 50 Conservation Biology Computer Analyses Gap Analysis Find gaps in preservation efforts Try to identify areas where biodiversity is high outside of currently preserved areas Population Viability Analysis Determine how much habitat a species requires to maintain itself

Conservation Techniques Biology, 9th ed, Sylvia Mader Conservation Techniques Chapter 50 Conservation Biology Habitat Restoration - Three Principles Begin as soon as possible before remaining fragments are lost Once natural history is understood, use biological techniques to mimic natural processes Goal is sustainable usage

Restoration of the Everglades Biology, 9th ed, Sylvia Mader Restoration of the Everglades Chapter 50 Conservation Biology

Biology, 9th ed, Sylvia Mader Chapter 50 Ending Slide Chapter 50 Conservation Biology Conservation Biology