Biodiversity and policy Attitudes and practices have changed dramatically through time 1912 Animal Damage Control Act “... to promulgate the best methods of eradication, suppression and control of mountain lions, wolves, coyotes, bobcats, prairie dogs, gophers, ground squirrels, jack rabbits and other animals [eagles and other raptors] injurious to agriculture." Endangered Species Act of 1973 "Nothing is more priceless ... than the rich array of animal life with which our country is blessed" (Nixon, 1973, commenting on the first Endangered Species Act).

Biodiversity conservation methods Species-based conservation Ex situ approaches - preservation of species in zoos and botanical gardens, but also assurance colonies In-situ approaches - conservation of species in their habitat

Assurance colonies or arks Collections held by public entities, citizens, and professional collectors for some future date when organisms can be released Rationale Zoos don’t have space and are often constrained as to how many animals they have Culling and sterilization done at zoos

Asian turtle crisis

Chances of the World Changing

Criticisms of ex-situ methods Economically impossible to preserve large numbers of species. Reproduction in captivity is difficult to achieve for some organisms. Zoos and breeding facilities have to maintain operating costs and consequently may have multiple goals that conflict Preference is given to charismatic fauna and flora Does not address the larger biodiversity in which the endangered species are embedded. Species by species approaches are expensive and time-consuming

In-situ methods Use Google to write up a short summary of the wolf introduction programs in the Smoky Mountains and in Yellowstone National Park. Be familiar with the kind of wolf involved and the outcomes of the reintroductions, including current numbers of wolves and the political and economic debates that have resulted. Be prepared to discuss in class. Test questions will taken from this content.

Criticisms of in situ methods Requires sizeable public investment and private intent to set aside land and address human-wildlife encounters Labor and costs for monitoring populations of endangered species high but necessary to prevent poaching Climate change and other facets of environmental variability can cause numbers to fluctuate

Black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) In-situ and ex-situ conservation plans Know general timeline of events with black-footed ferret as well as the animal’s relevant ecological and biological characteristics

Biodiversity conservation methods Habitat-based conservation Gap analysis Approach used in conservation to identify gaps in conservation lands, protected areas, nature reserves, or other habitats where significant plant and animal species and their habitat or important ecological features occur Conservation easements Land voluntarily donated or sold by the landowner that carries with it legally binding agreement that limits certain types of uses or prevents development from taking place on the land in perpetuity while the land remains in private hands.

Biodiversity conservation methods Habitat-based conservation Land trusts Organizations that purchase land, like The Nature Conservancy, with the intent of promoting its conservation value. Conduct independent research to identify a current debate or issue regarding a conservation easement. Be prepared to lay out the details of this issue for the class. Make a list of some of the criticisms of conservation easements. You should also be prepared to present your criticisms to the class. Test material will come from this content.

http://www.crownofthecontinent.org/coceec.htm

A wildlife corridor, habitat corridor, or green corridor is an area of habitat connecting wildlife populations separated by human activities or structures (such as roads, development, or logging).

Florida black bear Population is a set of interbreeding species, a metapopulation is a set of potentially interbreeding species