Ecology Chap 57 - Conservation Biology

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conservation biology

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an applied science; devoted to preserving the diversity of life; integrated with other disciplines (i.e. genetics, evolution, economics, wildlife management)

Guided by three principles:
- evolution is the process that unites all of bio
- the ecological world is dynamic
- humans are part of ecosystems

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normative

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embraces certain values and applies cientific methods to achieve goals related to those values; i.e. conservation biology is a normative discipline - motivated by belief that loss of biodiversity is bad, tested by scientific method

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Human-induced extinction of other species

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- For the first time, all major environmental changes on Earth are human induced and we are aware of what we are doing

- all species are judged to have intrinsic value (ethical concern)

- extinctions deprive us of opportunities to learn and understand

- caused mainly by overhunting

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Biodiversity =>

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- We depend on other species for food, fiber, medicine, etc.
- species are necessary for the functioning of ecosystems
- aesthetic pleasure from watching and interacting with other species

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Why can't scientists accurately predict the number of extinctions?

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- The number of species currently on Earth is unknown.
- We don't know exactly where species live.
- It is difficult to determine when a species actually becomes extinct.
- We do not know what will happen in the future, including natural events, and what humans will do

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species-area relationship

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as area decreases, number of species decreases; i.e. 90% loss in habitat => 50% species loss

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endangered

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species in imminent danger of extinction

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threatened

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species likely to become endangered in the near future

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endangerment factors:

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- small populations (easily wiped out by natural disturbances)
- habitat loss, especially in freshwater
- humans intentionally and unintentionally move species to regions outside their natural range
- species that are unable to shift their range to find suitable habitats
- global warming => may create new climates, increasing sea surface temps

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fragmented

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remaining habitat patches get smaller and more isolated as habitat is progressively lost

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"edge"

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Created as patch size decreases; factors originating outside the patch have more influence

i.e. winds are stronger, higher temps, lower humidity; recolonization is unlikely unless there are corridors connecting patches

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invasive

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exotic species can become invasive in new environment; i.e. brown tree snake in Guam has caused extinction of 15 bird species, pathogens

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More reasons why humans suck:

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- global warming with increase average temps by 2-5 degrees C by end of this century => species will have to shift ranges to remain in the same temp areas
- some habitats (i.e. tundra) will be completely eliminated

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How humans can redeem themselves and save the environment:

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- establishing protected areas => preserves biodiversity
- actually preserve the 595 "centers of imminent extinction" scientists have identified (only 1/3 are currently protected)
- look for Forest Stewardship Council, Marine Stewardship Council certifications
- respect Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species treaty = don't kill endangered animals for certain parts (i.e. whale meat, rhino horn)
- prevent introduction of invasive species (i.e. deoxygenate ship ballast water)
- stop harvesting endemic plants
- ecotourism = work with natives, be careful about resources that support tourists (i.e. hotels)
- captive breeding programs

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What are the centers of imminent extinction?

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Tropical forests, islands, and mountainous regions

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restoration ecology

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methods are developd to restore degraded habitats; i.e. grasslands in Montana

requires restoring disturbance patterns (i.e. grazing, fire, windstorms) that humans have tried to reduce

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Traits that make a plant likely to become invasive:

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- high growth rate, short generation time, small seeds, dispersal by vertebrates, large native range, dependent on nonspecific mutualists, not evolutionarily related to plants in the new area

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reconciliation ecology

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using land in ways that sustain biodiversity

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Plimsoll analogy

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the loss of species suggests that the load of human activities has pushed the hull of Noah's ark below the Plimsoll line

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Hypothesis of no difference among 5 latitudes:

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- no difference in basal area, stem and plant density, number of species by sight and strata, spatial area among stratal categories (patterns of growth)
- disturbance and seasonality were greatest factors in forest composition

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Problem with humans trying to control their environment:

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- we're not separate from the environment, we're part of it
- Christians love grass.
- Base landscaping on geometry, not sustainability - work on this, humanity

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Controlled burning

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knee high, cool fire that is effective and natural