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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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

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

10. 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

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

12. 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

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

14. 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.

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

16. 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.

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

18. 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

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

20. 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

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

22. 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

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

24. 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

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

26. 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

27. 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

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

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