Pains and Gains Topic 8

Strategies to Conserve Biodiversity 1.Protected Areas a)In-Situ Conservation: maintenance of populations of wild organisms in their functioning ecosystems. Example: Banff National Park allows organisms undisturbed in their natural habitats

What’s the problem with it? Species with large roaming areas like caribou, bears and wolves.

Solution? Protected corridors linking protected areas allows for movement and exchange

Strategies to Conserve Biodiversity 2.Restoration of Ecosystems and Species a)Initiative to restore damaged ecosystems so that endangered species can thrive again. Example: Nature Conservation of Canada Example: Ann and Sandy Cross Conservation Center in Calgary South

Strategies to Conserve Biodiversity 3.Resource Use Policies a)Federal and Provincial laws to protect species that are endangered or threatened. b)Protection from hunting, capture, picking or transplanting c)Goal: “prevent species in Canada from becoming extinct as a consequence of human activity.”

Strategies to Conserve Biodiversity Controlling the Spread of Exotic Species Example: Purple loosestrife invading wetlands, grows faster than other species, no natural enemies. This has decreased the size and diversity of natural species.

Strategies to Conserve Biodiversity 5.Conservation of Genetic Resources Ex-Situ Conservation Conservation of components of biological diversity outside of a natural habitat Examples - Seed banks: gather and store seeds from plants that are threatened with extinction. ed

Zoos: Act as educational institutions. They are also involved in protecting and raising endangered species and then exchanging animals between zoos. Calgary zoo master plan Swift fox

launch-zoo-revolution launch-zoo-revolution Zoo Revolution Thursday, October 3, 2013 at 9 PM on CBC-TV

Review Questions 1.What is in-situ conservation? How does it preserve biological diversity? 2.Why is it important to protect networks of ecosystems and habitats? 3.Why do exotic species have such an impact on local ecosystems? Why are exotic species, such as loosestrife, a threat to biological diversity? 4.What is the value of preserving the seed of wild plant ancestors and other varieties of crop plants grown today?