Download Conservation Biology - Tropical Conservation

What is it and why?
What is your opinion?
 What is the value of biodiversity

Conservation Biology

“In the end we will conserve only
what we love, we will love only what
we understand, and we only
understand what we are taught”
 Baba Dioum
Why???

•
Today’s extinctions have a human face
Human beings: With the unique and
defining characteristics of claim reason
and moral sense is the species that is
creating more devastation
Conservation Biology
the big problem…
But… is just
overpopulation?
Conservation Biology
the big problem…

Hectares needed to support current lifestyle
Why????
Disruption by deforestation and land clearing,
affect hydrological cycles.
 The climate has been change by atmospheric
pollution and deforestation.
 Main threat: Habitat destruction:
- Cutting old-growth forest

- Overuse of grasslands for pasture
- Draining wetlands
- Pollution of waters
Why???
Other threats:
- Climate change
- Invasive species
- Use of modern technology to overharvest
animals and plants for local and international
markets.
- Unregulated dumping of chemicals and sewage
in aquatic habitats.
- Air pollution that turns rain water in an acid
solution.

Conservation Biology
Common Aspects of Conservation Biology
 A discipline responding to an immense crisis

◦ By definition, information is frequently incomplete
and sometimes missing
◦ Typically is politically and economically charged
◦ Asked to provide quick, clear, unambiguous and
scientifically defensible
Why???
We are dependent on the natural
environment for raw material, food,
medicines and water.
 Poorest people are the ones who will
experience the hardship from damaged
environments.

•From the deadly poisonous bark of various curare lianas,
used by generations of indigenous peoples in Latin America,
has been isolated the alkaloid d-turbocuarine, which is used
to treat such diseases as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease
and other muscular disorders. It also permits tonsillectomies,
eye, abdominal and other kinds of surgery due to its
anesthetic qualities.

• Quinine, an aid in the cure of
malaria, is an alkaloid extracted
from the bark of the cinchona tree
found in Latin America and Africa

• Without wild yams from
Mexico and Guatemala,
society would be without
diosgenin and cortisone, the
active ingredients in birth
control pills. Until recently
this plant provided the world
with its entire supply of
diosgenin.
Conservation Biology
There is hope???
 Some people feel discouraged
 But is necessary to find the way to stop
destruction
 Conservation biology is a new, integraded
science that has developed in response to
the challenge.

Goals of Conservation Biology
1.
2.
3.
Document the full range of biological
diversity on Earth
Investigate human impact on species,
communities and ecosystems
Develop practical approaches to prevent
the extinction of species, maintain
genetic variation and protect and
restore biological communities,
There is hope….
The rate of human population growth has
slowed (education)
 The number of protected areas around
the globe continues to increase.
 Some endangered species are now
recovering as a result of conservation
measures.
 The consumption patterns are changing…

REALLY???
Conservation biology
Complement other disciplines:
- Agriculture
WHAT ELSE?
- forestry
-Wildlife management
- Fisheries biology
 Provides a more general theoretical approach
to the protection of diversity.
 Primary goal: Long term preservation of entire
biological communities.
 Economic factor is secondary.

Gene
tics
Biology
Taxono
my
Law n
policy
Educa
tion
Ecolo
gy
Econo
my
Ethics
Conservation
Biology
Social
Sciense
Conservation biology
Address specific issues with solutions that
can be applied in actual field situations
 Examples
- Protecting rare species
- Designing natural reserves
- Reconciling conservation concerns with
the needs of local people.

Ethical principles
1.
The diversity of species and biological
communities should be preserved: Most
people agree with this. Humans like
biological diversity (biophilia). Extintion
of populations and species should be
prevented.
Ethical principles
2.
Ecological
complexity should
be maintained
Ethical principles
3.
Evolution should continue: Evolutionary
adaptation is the process that eventually
leads to new species and increased
biological diversity.
Humans limit evolution: Eliminations of
unique high level populations.
Ethical principles
4.
Biological diversity has intrinsic value:
Despite the economic, scientific and
aesthetic value to human society, species
posses a value of their own.
This value is conferred by evolutionary
history, unique ecological role, their
existence.
Growing field
Conservation biology has resulted in
government action (nationally and
internationally).
 Programs and activities are being funded
as never before
 Conservation biology goals have been
adopted by traditional conservation
organizations.

Growing field
Conservation biology goals are being
incorporated into international scientific
activity and policy.
 Conservation biology’s aims and goals are
reaching a broader audience (media
coverage)
 Conservation biology courses and
curricula are expanding in academia.
Graduate programs are generating new
projects.

Growing field

The society for conservation biology with
10 000 professional members.

http://www.conbio.org/
Class Assignment
1.
2.
3.
1. Find a paper or news from your area
that you consider as a conservation effort
You have to argue why it is important for
the area or the country or the planet.
What are the major environmental
problems facing your local community ?
What do you do as an effort for
conservation? What you can improve.