Download Chapter 18 Conservation of Biodiversity

Warm-up
13APR2015
• Make a list of all the animal species you
observed today.
Chapter 18
Conservation of Biodiversity
Biodiversity
• A measure of diversity a specific ecosystem or
the Global community
– genetic variation,
– ecosystem variation, or
– species variation (number of species)
– within a specific area or biome.
The 6th Mass Extinction

Extinction- when there are no longer any of the
species in the world.

We are currently losing approximately 50,000
species per year.
Extinct in the last 100 years
Genetic Diversity

Scientists want to conserve genetic diversity so
that the species can survive environmental
change and inbreeding will not occur.

Inbreeding occurs when individuals with similar
genotypes, generally relatives, breed with each
other.

Inbreeding depresion
Florida Panther
Globally Species are declining
Not just amphibians, or marine animals…
ALL phyla of animals are declining.
Categories of Endangerment




Extinct- no known species exist today
Threatened- species with a high risk of
extinction in the future
Near-threatened- species that are likely to
become threatened in the future
Least concern- species are widespread and
abundant
Challenges to studying the animals:
•
•
•
•
•
Time
Money
Access
Politics
Lack of background data
• Why should we be concerned about
inbreeding?
• What are the reasons for the declining genetic
diversity of domesticated plants and animals?
• What are some of the challenges associated
with understanding which species are
threatened with extinction?
HIPCO
H- Habitat Loss
 I- Invasive Species
 P- Pollution
 C- Climate Change
 O- Overharvested

Habitat Loss


For most species the greatest cause of decline and
extinction is habitat loss.
Most habitat loss is due to human development
Invasive Species



Alien species (exotic species)- species that live
outside their historical range.
Invasive species- when alien species spread
rapidly across large areas.
Ex- Kudzu Vine, Zebra Mussel, Silver Carp
Pollution

Threats to biodiversity can come from toxic
contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals,
acids, and oil spills.
Climate Change

The concern is how climate change will affect
temperature and precipitation around the world,
and how this will impact biodiversity.
Overharvesting


When individuals of a species are removed at a rate
faster than the population can replace them.
Ex- dodo, American bison, passenger pigeon.
• How does habitat loss influence species
extinction?
• Compare and contrast the primary causes of
biodiversity loss; which one do you think is
most important?
• Why are alien species a threat to biodiversity?
Warm-Up
14APR2015
• What does H.I.P.C.O. stand for and how does
each contribute to loss of biodiversity?
Warm-Up
14APR2015
• What does H.I.P.C.O. stand for and how does
each contribute to loss of biodiversity?
H- Habitat Loss
 I- Invasive Species
 P- Pollution
 C- Climate Change
 O- Overharvested

Conserving Biodiversity
Two major approaches
• Single Species Management
• Ecosystem Management
Both take into consideration the complex
interactions that influence biodiversity
Single Species Management
• Focuses efforts on one species at a time
• Great for that species
• REactive management that is put in place
once the organism is endangered/threatened
Ecosystem Management
• Focuses on conserving a variety of ecosystems
and representative ecosystems
• PROactive management
• Conservation or preservation
• Aldo Leopold
Size, Shape and Connectedness


When designing and managing protected areas
we must consider how close to another area they
should be, how large the area is, and the amount
of edge habitat the area contains.
Edge habitat- the area where two different
communities come together, typically forming
an abrupt transition. Ex. A grassy field meeting
a forest.
Biosphere Reserves

Protected
areas
consisting of
zones that
vary in the
amount of
permissible
human
impact.
• Size, shape, and connectivity is KEY in
conservation
• How does island biogeography help us decide
how to protect species?
• What are the different ways that reserves can
be designed?
• What is a biosphere reserve and how does it
help preserve biodiversity?
Lacey Act
One of the earliest laws in the U.S. to control
the trade of wildlife.
 First passed in 1900, the act prohibited the
transport of illegally harvested game animals,
primarily birds and mammals, across state
lines.
 Also manages species (re)-introductions

• Create a BRIEF (5-10 minute) presentation
about one of the following policies for species
management: What is it? What are the goals?
Are they successful? What specifically are
they regulating? And What would you add to
the policy if it is not working?
– Marine Mammal Protection Act
– Red List
– CITES
– Convention on Biological Diversity
– Endangered Species Act
Warm-Up
15APR2015
• Compare and contrast single-species
management and ecosystem management
• What is “key” in considering conserving land
for biodiversity?
• Create a BRIEF (5-10 minute) presentation
about one of the following policies for species
management: What is it? What are the goals?
Are they successful? What specifically are
they regulating? And What would you add to
the policy if it is not working?
– Marine Mammal Protection Act
– Red List
– CITES
– Convention on Biological Diversity
– Endangered Species Act
CITES



Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
Developed in 1973 to control the international
trade of threatened plants and animals.
Today, CITIES is an international agreement
between 175 countries of the world.
Red List


The IUCN keeps a list of threatened species,
known as the red list.
Each country has its own way to monitor and
regulate the import and export of animals on the
list.
Conservation Legislation

Marine Mammal Protection Act- prohibits the
killing of all marine mammals in the U.S. and
prohibits the import or export of any marine
mammal body parts.
Endangered Species Act



Endangered Species Act- first passed in 1973, it
authorizes the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to
determine which species can be listed as
threatened or endangered and prohibits the
harming of these species.
Trading these species is also illegal.
The act also authorizes the government to
purchase habitat that is critical to the species.
Convention on Biological
Diversity


In 1992, nations came together and made a treaty
to protect biodiversity.
The treaty had three objectives: conserve
biodiversity, sustainably use biodiversity, and
equitably share the benefits that emerge from
the commercial use of genetic resources such as
pharmaceutical drugs.
• What is the single-species approach to
conserving biodiversity?
• What makes the ESA controversial? Why is it
important to legislate species protection?
• In what way is biodiversity protection an
international issue?
Bees!
• Global decline of bees all over the world
• Diversity loss of bees
Opportunity for conservation!
Things to ponder while watching:
• What are the social implications of the bee
decline? What do we risk to loose?
• What are the environmental implications?
What complexities are there (parasites,
pollination, etc.)?
• What are the economic risks involved in bee
decline?
Warm-Up
17APR2015
• What have you learned about
bees so far?
Logistics: You will have 2 full
days in class to complete the
Exotic Species Poster