1. Chapter 55: Conservation Biology & Restoration Ecology Conservation biology Integrates ecology, physiology, molecular biology, genetics, & evolution to conserve biodiversity Integrates ecology, physiology, molecular biology, genetics, & evolution to conserve biodiversity Restoration ecology Sustain ecosystems & stop loss of biodiversity Sustain ecosystems & stop loss of biodiversity return conditions to original state through efforts from social sciences, economics, & humanities return conditions to original state through efforts from social sciences, economics, & humanities **The biodiversity crisis  extinction is a natural phenomenon but the current rate of extinction is alarming and caused by one species…humans

2. Three levels of biodiversity Genetic diversity Genetic diversity Microevolution occurs as a result of genetic variation Microevolution occurs as a result of genetic variation Organisms adapt to environments as a result of microevolution Organisms adapt to environments as a result of microevolution Species diversity Species diversity Endangered species Endangered species Species in danger of extinction in all/significant portion of its range Species in danger of extinction in all/significant portion of its range Threatened species Threatened species Species likely to become endangered throughout all/most of its range Species likely to become endangered throughout all/most of its range Extinction rates: Extinction rates: Can be as high as 50% in areas where 90% of habitat is lost Can be as high as 50% in areas where 90% of habitat is lost 12% of known birds are endangered 12% of known birds are endangered 24% of known mammals are endangered or threatened 24% of known mammals are endangered or threatened 200 of 20,000 known plants are extinct 200 of 20,000 known plants are extinct 20% of freshwater fish are/close to extinction 20% of freshwater fish are/close to extinction 32% of known amphibians are endangered 32% of known amphibians are endangered ** to know if a certain species is extinct we must know its exact habitat & distribution

3. Ecosystem diversity Ecosystem diversity Habitat destruction leads to decrease in biodiversity Habitat destruction leads to decrease in biodiversity Major threats to biodiversity Habitat destruction Habitat destruction Human alteration of habitat through: Human alteration of habitat through: Logging Logging War War Oil spills Oil spills 93% of coral reefs damaged which support 1/3 of all known fish 93% of coral reefs damaged which support 1/3 of all known fish Over-exploitation Over-exploitation Commercial fishing Commercial fishing Hunting Hunting Collecting & trading exotic animals/products Collecting & trading exotic animals/products

4. Introduced species Introduced species Disrupt community by preying on native species & out- competing them for resources Disrupt community by preying on native species & out- competing them for resources Examples: zebra mussels, purple loose strife, Nile perch Examples: zebra mussels, purple loose strife, Nile perch According to IUCN 68% of endangered/extinction may be due to exotic species introduction According to IUCN 68% of endangered/extinction may be due to exotic species introduction Why conserve biodiversity? Biophilia Biophilia Belief that all species are entitled to life Belief that all species are entitled to life Crucial natural resource Crucial natural resource Threatened species could provide crops, fibers, medicines Threatened species could provide crops, fibers, medicines Humans are dependant on the ecosystem Humans are dependant on the ecosystem We are part of the web of life We are part of the web of life Estimates of replacing ecosystem service= $33 trillion/year Estimates of replacing ecosystem service= $33 trillion/year

5. Population conservation focuses on population size, genetic diversity, & critical habitat focuses on population size, genetic diversity, & critical habitat Population viability analysis (PVA) Population viability analysis (PVA) Examines chances a species has of surviving in its available habitats Examines chances a species has of surviving in its available habitats Minimum viable population (MVP) Minimum viable population (MVP) Minimum number of individuals required for a population to survive Minimum number of individuals required for a population to survive Effective population size (N e ) Effective population size (N e ) Based on the breeding potential of the population Based on the breeding potential of the population N e = (4N m x N f )/ (N m + N f ) N e = (4N m x N f )/ (N m + N f ) N m = number of males N m = number of males N f = number of females N f = number of females Effects of genetic diversity on survivability Effects of genetic diversity on survivability Low N e  prone to inbreeding, reduced heterozygosity & effects of genetic drift Low N e  prone to inbreeding, reduced heterozygosity & effects of genetic drift Low N e is normal for slow reproducing species (cheetah, grizzly bear) Low N e is normal for slow reproducing species (cheetah, grizzly bear) Low genetic variability does not always lead to permanently small populations Low genetic variability does not always lead to permanently small populations Analyzing viability of selected species may help sustain other species Analyzing viability of selected species may help sustain other species **Conserving species involves weighing conflicting demands

6. Conservation at community, ecosystem, & landscape levels Edges & corridors can strongly influence landscape diversity Edges & corridors can strongly influence landscape diversity Edges have their own communities of organisms that can have positive or negative effects on species in ecosystems bordering the corridor Edges have their own communities of organisms that can have positive or negative effects on species in ecosystems bordering the corridor Movement corridors connect isolated patches of habitat to discourage inbreeding & death of species Movement corridors connect isolated patches of habitat to discourage inbreeding & death of species Nature preserves must be functional parts of the landscape Nature preserves must be functional parts of the landscape Must be well planned to be self regulating Must be well planned to be self regulating 7% of world land is now reserve 7% of world land is now reserve Debate  large reserves or several small reserves? Debate  large reserves or several small reserves? Costa Rica- leader in zoned reserves Costa Rica- leader in zoned reserves

7. Restoration ecology Works to manipulate processes to reduce the time it takes for a community to bounce back after disturbances Works to manipulate processes to reduce the time it takes for a community to bounce back after disturbances Most environmental damage is reversible however communities are not infinitely resilient Most environmental damage is reversible however communities are not infinitely resilient Bioremediation Bioremediation Make use of living organisms (prokaryotes, fungi, & plants) to detoxify a polluted ecosystem Make use of living organisms (prokaryotes, fungi, & plants) to detoxify a polluted ecosystem Examples: bacterium cleaning up oil spills, plants collecting mining waste Examples: bacterium cleaning up oil spills, plants collecting mining waste Biological augmentation Biological augmentation Uses organisms to add essential materials to a degraded ecosystem Uses organisms to add essential materials to a degraded ecosystem

8. Sustainable development Plan that provides for the long term prosperity of human society & the ecosystems that support them Plan that provides for the long term prosperity of human society & the ecosystems that support them Goals  reorienting ecological research & changing some human values Goals  reorienting ecological research & changing some human values