MANAGING AND RESTORING ECOSYSTEMS 38.8 Sustaining ecosystems and landscapes is a conservation priority Conservation efforts- In the past: were concentrated on saving single species Currently: are increasingly aimed at sustaining ecosystems and landscapes

Landscape- is a regional assemblage of interacting ecosystems, such as a forest, adjacent fields, wetlands, streams and streamside habitats Landscape ecology- is the application of ecological principles to study the structure and dynamics of a collection of ecosystems One goal is to study human land-use patterns to make biodiversity conservation a priority

Edges between ecosystems are prominent features of landscapes Have distinct sets of features and species Human activities create and increase the amount of edge habitats

The increased frequency and abruptness of edges Good for some species But creates a more homogenous ecosystem with fragmented patches Leads to decreased biodiversity Edges are dominated by a few particular species Edges throughout an ecosystem lead to high instances of fragmentation

Movement Corridors- a narrow strip or series of high quality habitats that connect otherwise isolated patches and may be helpful to fragmented populations In a patch, biodiversity decreases due to inbreeding and range restriction Movement Corridors Reduce road kill Increase dispersal Increase gene flow Maintain migratory routes

38.9 Protected areas are established to slow the loss of biodiversity Biodiversity hot spots Have large concentrations of Endangered Threatened Endemic species- those found nowhere else Provide an opportunity to protect many species in very limited areas Prediction: half of the terrestrial biodiversity in hotspots will be lost due to habitat destruction in the next years

H OTTEST S POTS : 1.5% OF THE PLANET HOUSES 1/3 OF ALL PLANTS AND VERTEBRATES Equator

Migratory species, both terrestrial and aquatic Loggerhead turtle example May require international protection

High concentrations of species provide opportunity to protect many species in a limited areas But ONLY concentrating on hotspots is not the answer to a GLOBAL PROBLEM 7% of world’s land is protected in some form of reserve Large reserves? Groups of small ones? Population viability analyses are showing most are far too small

38.10 The Yellowstone to Yukon Conversation Initiative Is an international research and conservation effort that seeks to connect reserves and protect species and ecosystems If most reserves are too small how can conservationists draw the land around them into conservation efforts? Lessons from Pluie (38,600 sq. miles) If safe passage for wolves can be achieved other species will benefit

Yellowstone to Yukon Ecoregion ALBERTA NORTHWEST TERRITORIES YUKON TERRITORY BRITISH COLUMBIA WASHINGTON OREGON IDAHO WYOMING MONTANA YELLOWSTONE TO YUKON CONSERVATION INITIATIVE LEGEND Major Highways Protected areas Y2Y Ecoregion km

Grizzly bears, lynx, moose and elk all need larger ranges than current reserves can satisfy

38.11 The study of how to restore degraded habitats is a developing science Some areas become are so degraded and altered, they are abandoned by wildlife Mining, oil spills, chemical dumping Restoration ecology- uses ecological principles to develop ways to return degraded ecosystems to conditions as similar as possible to their natural, pre- degraded state

Bioremediation to detoxify polluted areas Uses prokaryotes, fungi, lichens or plants Ex) Pseudomonas in oil spills Biological augmentation to restore nutrients Increase nutrients in land used for agriculture And along roadsides

38.12 The Kissimmee River project is a case study in restoration ecology Large-scale restoration projects attempt to restore damaged landscapes The Kissimmee River once flowed through diverse wetlands from Lake Kissimmee to Lake Okeechobee Flooding created wetlands and deposited silt Flood control started in 1940 Drained 31,000 acres of flood plain Waterfowl declined by 92% Bald Eagle territories decreased by 70%

The Kissimmee River Restoration Project Is restoring river flow and wetlands, and improving water quality and wildlife habitat Cost $578 million 320 fish and wildlife species will benefit is returning, increased water quality Wildlife tourism increases state's income Former canal

38.13 Zoned reserves are an attempt to reverse ecosystem disruption Zoned reserves- extensive areas of undisturbed wild lands surrounded by buffer zones of compatible economic development Contribute to sustainable development- long tern prosperity of the human societies and the ecosystems that support them Primary Goal- develop a social and economic climate in the buffer zones that is compatible with the long-term viability of the protected area Caribbean Sea Nicaragua Costa Rica National parkland Buffer zone Pacific Ocean

Costa Rica Has established many zoned reserves Reduced national debt Provides stable economic base for people in buffer zones Discourages destructive practices in zones Partners with government, NGOs and private citizens

38.14 Sustainable development is an ultimate goal Seeks to improve the human condition while conserving biodiversity Depends on increasing and applying ecological knowledge as well as valuing our linkages to the biosphere o Brown pelican o Show a solid understanding of how biology can help preserve creatures and protect life o We are most likely to save what we appreciate o Sustainability is the GOAL