Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Conservation Biology Definition History & Connections Biodiversity & threats Approaches to Solutions DefinitionHistoryFocus on BiodiversitySolutions

Definitions … pursuit of a coherent goal: the protection and perpetuation of the Earth’s biological diversity. A mission-oriented, crisis-driven discipline comprising both pure and applied science –Meine et al …not defined by a discipline but by its goal — to halt or repair the undeniable, massive damage that is being done to ecosystems, species, and the relationships of humans to the environment. –Ehrenfeld 1992 DefinitionHistoryFocus on BiodiversitySolutions

Critique …effort by “an elite group of biologists” who “[aimed] to change science, conservation, cultural habits, human values, our ideas about nature, and ultimately, nature itself.” – Takacs 1996 Not without controversy “I have read many definitions of what is a conservationist & the best one is written not with a pen, but an axe.” -- Aldo Leopold DefinitionHistoryFocus on BiodiversitySolutions

History - 1 Muir (Preservation) vs. Pinchot (Conservation) Wilderness Act (1964) Endangered Species Preservation Act 1966 Environmental Laws: Jan. 1, 1970 (NEPA) Endangered Species Act (1973) –“From the most narrow possible point of view, it is in the best interest of mankind to minimize the losses of genetic variations. The reason is simple: they are potential resources.” Leonor K. Sullivan, Chairman of theHouse Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, July 27, 1973 DefinitionHistoryFocus on BiodiversitySolutions

History - 2 DefinitionHistoryFocus on BiodiversitySolutions

History - 3 Science and the funding agencies –NSF: Ecosystems (1970) –LTER (1980) –Urban LTER (1997) Emergence of Conservation Biology, SCB (‘85) Lectures by Gardner, Bauman, Scullion: –Ethics –Cost-benefit analysis –Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Focus DefinitionHistoryFocus on BiodiversitySolutions

DefinitionHistoryFocus on BiodiversitySolutions

Foundation - 1 Population biology: a study of biological populations of organisms, especially in terms of biodiversity, evolution, and environmental biology. Endangered Species Act (1973) Northern Spotted Owl Salmon DefinitionHistoryFocus on BiodiversitySolutions

Foundations - 2 Island Biogeography: Number of species present = f(rate of immigration & rate of extinction) DefinitionHistoryFocus on BiodiversitySolutions ‘Mainland’ ‘Island’ Size Time Environment Climate Change Core Corridor Fragmentation Connectivity Mountains

Foundation - 3 The worst thing that can happen during the 1980s is not energy depletion, economic collapse, limited nuclear war, or conquest by a totalitarian government. As terrible as these catastrophes would be for us, they can be repaired within a few generations. The one process ongoing in the 1980s that will take millions of years to correct is the loss of genetic and species diversity by the destruction of natural habitats. This is the folly that our descendents are least likely to forgive us. –E.O. Wilson 1985 DefinitionHistoryFocus on BiodiversitySolutions

DefinitionHistoryFocus on BiodiversitySolutions

Conceptual Background Example: Easter Island Resilience Theory DefinitionHistoryFocus on BiodiversitySolutions

Hypothesized examples of collapse Example from Jared Diamond’s (2006) book: “Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed” (e.g., Easter Island) Loss of the forest (over utilization) DefinitionHistoryFocus on BiodiversitySolutions

Agricultural Systems In order to maintain simplified biological systems, one must use extensive quantities of energy –Water –Fuel –Fertilizers –Pesticides –Intensity: Erosion DefinitionHistoryFocus on BiodiversitySolutions

Global Loss of Soil World is losing 1% of its arable land each year DefinitionHistoryFocus on BiodiversitySolutions

Critical are the rates of erosion Need for low tillage farming Montgomery, D.R PNAS 104: Stable geological crust DefinitionHistoryFocus on BiodiversitySolutions

DefinitionHistoryFocus on BiodiversitySolutions

DefinitionHistoryFocus on BiodiversitySolutions

Bottom line Population Consumption View of nature Solutions I = P x A x T DefinitionHistoryFocus on BiodiversitySolutions

Based upon the article you read in the Science Policy section of Science, is the following statement 1.True 2.False Culling whales should lead to recovery of many depleted fisheries.

Solutions Ex-situ (off-site) conservation: Arboreta, zoos, plant collections, seed banks DefinitionHistoryFocus on BiodiversitySolutions In-situ conservation: Preserves, reserves –Choices: Single large or several small. –Working farms and forests Restoration

Ben Webster, Environment Editor Environmentalists across the world are to be enlisted as armchair detectives to monitor satellite images of rainforests and report any illegal logging. The images will be frequently updated and anyone with internet access will be able to make instant comparisons with historical images and spot destruction of rainforest almost as soon as it happens. Google spyware will help vigilantes save rainforests Rainforest destruction accounts for 17% of global greenhouse gas emissions November 20, The TimesOnline

The Henslow's Sparrow Photo by Merilee Janusz Upland Sandpiper Photo by Dave Spleha Eastern Meadowlark Photo by Gene Oleynik Protecting Grassland Birds in Illinois - Sandar Toth DefinitionHistoryFocus on BiodiversitySolutions

Protecting the Forests, and Hoping for Payback Logs cut to thin the Deschutes National Forest in Oregon, an effort to promote sustainability. Leah Nash for The New York Times November 28, NY Times DefinitionHistoryFocus on BiodiversitySolutions

DefinitionHistoryFocus on BiodiversitySolutions Additional Examples similar to the Deschutes National Forest NE Washington Forestry Coalition Conservation NWVaagen Brothers US Forest ServiceThe Lands Council AvistaWA State DNR TAPASH Coalition The Nature Conservancy The Yakama Nation WA State DNR

Small Reserves Focus on ‘hot spots’ DefinitionHistoryFocus on BiodiversitySolutions

Example DefinitionHistoryFocus on BiodiversitySolutions

Large Reserves Uncertainty Anticipate climate change Provides latitudinal and elevational opportunities for migration Three examples –Y to Y –Panda reserves in the eastern Himalayas –Australia DefinitionHistoryFocus on BiodiversitySolutions

Concept Umbrella/ Keystone species Food chain and trophic pyramid DefinitionHistoryFocus on BiodiversitySolutions

Cute Pictures

Pluie, the Wandering Wolf Penelope Pierce, US Regional Director DefinitionHistoryFocus on BiodiversitySolutions

Epic Journey DefinitionHistoryFocus on BiodiversitySolutions

The Y to Y A corridor of connected protected areas Effort: Identification of –Prime habitat –Areas at risk DefinitionHistoryFocus on BiodiversitySolutions

The Y to Y corridor illustrates which of the following recommendations from Gerber et al. (the Whale paper): 1.Consider the indirect social and economic benefits of species 2.Science should be an integral component of managing ecosystems 3.Ecosystem modeling tools should be developed 4.Manage the whole system for long-term sustainability rather than modifying particular trophic levels

Detail: Road Ecology Montana State University University California - Davis DefinitionHistoryFocus on BiodiversitySolutions

More Alternative (s) Restoration Working environments (agriculture, grazing and forestry) (example: Cascade Land Conservancy ). DefinitionHistoryFocus on BiodiversitySolutions

DefinitionHistoryFocus on BiodiversitySolutions