The History of Conservation Biology

After the revolutions of the 1700’s, the general public had greatly increased access to natural resources. Soon afterwards, the Industrial Revolution made those resources more easily exploited.

Five major eras of conservation activity have occurred in the last 150 years: 1.The disappearance of the eastern wildnerness – The closing of the western frontier – The Dust Bowl era – Population explosion and environmental pollution – The biodiversity crisis – 1990-?.

The Disappearance of the Eastern Wilderness

In the middle of the 19 th Century, much of the eastern portion of the United States had been “tamed”. The forests that had covered that portion of the continent had been greatly diminished, replaced by farms and towns.

At the same time, biology was undergoing a revolution, best typified by the publication of Darwin’s The Origin of Species in Placed humans as a part of nature rather than separate from it.

A key point of Darwin’s theory, still not completely recognized, is that organisms are adapted to a particular environment. If that environment changes, organisms face the threat of extinction. Passenger pigeon

As the eastern wilderness disappeared, there was a recognition by writers and essayists of its aesthetic value.

Henry Thoreau suggested that every township should have a park, or a wilderness area, that they maintained for instructional purposes.

The idea of parks was carried forward by several individuals. One of the most influential was Frederick Law Olmsted ( ).

Among many other projects, Olmsted designed New York City’s Central Park. This was an effort to preserve “a specimen of God’s handiwork.”

The Closing of the Western Frontier

By the close of the 19 th Century: 1.Western settlement had reached the Pacific. 2.Ecology was emerging as a science.

John Muir became America’s most influential naturalist and conservationist. John Muir

Muir was particularly interested in the mountains of California and Alaska. He became the first president of the Sierra Club. John Muir with Teddy Roosevelt

During this period, several federal agencies were established for the management of natural resources: 1.National Forest System – Division of Forestry of USDA – United States Bureau of Reclamation United States National Wildlife Refuge system – United States Forest Service – 1905

Pelican Island Refuge, in the Indian River lagoon on Florida’s east coast, was the first national wildlife refuge. It provided protection for egrets and other wading birds.

Also during this period, the nation’s national park system expanded greatly. Sequoia, Mt. Rainier and Yosemite National Parks were created during the 1890’s. Mt. Rainier Yosemite

As of 2006, there were 58 officially designated parks within the National Park Service. In addition, there are many national monuments, national preserves, national historic sites, and other designations. National Park Service Shenandoah National Park, VA Virgin Islands National Park, USVI Congaree National Park, SC

The Dust Bowl Era

After the turn of the century, continuing population growth and the Great Depression led to the spread of agriculture into marginal lands. In the 1930’s, the South was plagued by floods and erosion, while droughts and wind hit the central plains.

Conditions reached the extreme on Black Sunday April 14, 1935,

This led to a recognition of the fragility of the land, and a greater understanding of the way in which human activity was linked to the environment.

Another influential figure was Paul Sears ( ). He wrote Deserts on the March in 1935, dramatizing the crises of land water management that were plaguing many areas of the nation. Later, he chaired the Yale Conservation Program, the first graduate program in conservation science in the U.S.

During the 1930’s, under the presidency of Franklin Roosevelt, federal agencies were established that were aimed at crises related to land and water management. The most notable: Tennessee Valley Authority – 1933 Soil Conservation Service

The Population Explosion and Environmental Pollution ( )

Rachel Carson expressed her concerns about pesticides in Silent Spring.

In 1968, Paul Ehrlich’s The Population Bomb expressed his concerns that the rapid growth of human population would lead to increasing problems.

There are those who disagree. Julian Simon was a primary proponent of the “concucopian” belief in endless benefits from resources and unlimited population growth empowered by technological progress. His works are often cited by libertarians.

On June 22, 1969, the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio “caught fire”, leading to a Time Magazine article and an increased concern about water pollution.

Wilderness Act – 1964 Established an effective system of wilderness areas in national forests, parks, and wildlife refuges. Establishment of Environmental Protection Agency – 1970 Charged with maintaining an environment safe for humans and wildlife. National Environmental Policy Act – 1970 Established a requirement for an environmental impact assessment for projects involving federal support or approval. Endangered Species Conservation Act – 1973 Designates, protects and encourages the recovery of endangered species. The Sixties and Seventies saw a great deal of conservation legislation.

The Biodiversity Crisis

Paleontologists recognize five major mass extinctions in the history of the earth: 1.One extinction shortly after the evolution of the first land- based plants, about 450 million years ago. 2.One about 350 million years ago which led to the formation of the coal forests. 3.Two major extinctions during the Triassic period, between 250 and 200 million years ago. 4.The great extinction at the end of the Cretaceous Period, about 65 million years ago. This was probably caused by an asteroid impact and led to the extinction of the dinosaurs.

Many biologists believe that we are currently in the midst of a sixth major extinction. The cause? Us.

Alabama native Edward O. Wilson has become one of the leading advocates of biodiversity, and has published extensively on the subject.

Concerns over biodiversity have led to a number of developments: Computerized databases and species inventories. Modelling National Heritage Programs (State Level) Gap Analysis Programs (State Level) National Biological Service (Federal Level) Society for Conservation Biology

Alabama Natural Heritage Program GAP Analysis Program Mississippi Natural Heritage Program

What does the future hold? The degradative effects of many activities will likely continue, at least for a while. Among these: Use of fossil fuel Release of industrial chemicals Tropical deforestation Mismanagement of arid lands