Conservation of Biodiversity Chapter 18 Conservation of Biodiversity

Modern Conservation Legacies Biodiversity of world is rapidly declining Result of human activities Protect habitats as… 2006-2009 –215 million acres of marine habitats around the northwestern Hawaiian Islands and other US Pacific islands Area of great biodiversity, but diversity has been declining Protected area solution? Marine reserves – newer idea But worldwide – Russia, UK, Australia, Canada, Belize

The 6th Mass Extinction Extinction- when there are no longer any of the species in the world Earth has had ______ major extinctions Currently experiencing 6th major extinction Losing ~50,000 species per year First since humans have been on planet

Genetic Diversity Conserve genetic diversity important - increases species survival Inbreeding depression – Examples: Cheetahs – natural process Panther (aka mountain lion, cougar) – human induced process Genetic diversity being lost due to artificial selection as well

Categories of Endangerment Extinct Endangered Threatened Near-threatened Least concern Problems with evaluating status of plant and animal species:

Decline of birds, mammals and amphibian

Characteristics of Endangered Species From Environment, 6th Edition Extremely small (localized) range Requiring a large territory Living on an island Having a low reproductive success Small population size Low reproductive rates Requiring specialized breeding areas Having specialized feeding habitats

Endangered and Extinct Species From Environment, 6th Edition

Endangered and Extinct Species From Environment, 6th Edition

Why are species populations declining? HIPCO – Remember this!!!! H- Habitat Loss I- Invasive Species P- Pollution C- Climate Change O- Overharvested/Overexploitation

Habitat Loss The greatest cause of decline and extinction for most species Most habitat loss is due to human development Effects of habitat loss contributing to species decline: Areas of concern:

Changing Forests

Non-Native 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 It’s even happening in Clinton! Pond Mussel Invasion in Clinton, NJ

Researchers prepare to examine the insides of a 17-foot, 7-inch Burmese python found in Florida's Everglades. The python, weighing some 164 pounds, was carrying 87 eggs in its oviducts, they found.

Pollution Threats to biodiversity can come from toxic contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, acids, and oil spills Others:

Climate Change Concern is how climate change will affect temperature and precipitation around the world, and how this will impact biodiversity Will talk more about in Ch 19

Overharvesting/Overexploitation When individuals of a species are removed at a rate faster than the population can replace them Via hunting, fishing, poaching, commercial harvest, efforts to control #s Ex- dodo, American bison, passenger pigeon

Lacey Act One of the earliest laws in the U.S. to control the trade of wildlife First passed in 1900 Prohibited the transport of illegally harvested game animals, primarily birds and mammals, across state lines

CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Developed in 1973 Goal? Today…

Red List List of threatened species Each country has its own way to monitor and regulate the import and export of animals on the list Does not stop illegal trade though!

Black Rhinos in Southern Africa Black Rhino Killings Up

Family of 12 elephants slain by poachers in Kenya

Conservation Legislation 2 approaches to conserving biodiversity: Single-species approach May include reestablishment in wild Ecosystem approach Especially biodiversity hotspots Factors taken into consideration:

Marine Mammal Protection Act Single Species Approach 1972 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 Single Species Approach First passed in 1973, amended several times since 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 Controversy!

Convention on Biological Diversity Single Species Approach 1992 – nations came together and made a treaty to protect biodiversity The treaty had three objectives: 2002 – strategic plan to achieve a substantial reduction in worldwide rate of biodiversity loss by 2010 2010 – convention determined goal not met:

Size, Shape and Connectedness Ecosystem Approach As previously noted: Edge habitat - the area where two different communities come together, typically forming an abrupt transition. Ex. A grassy field meeting a forest Must be taken into account when using an ecosystem approach

Biosphere Reserves An Ecosystem Approach Protected areas consisting of zones that vary in the amount of permissible human impact Image 564 biosphere reserves worldwide 47 in US – most well known is Big Bend National Park in TX

The rest of the slides come from Environment, 6th Edition

Conservation Biology Involves: (overview) Protecting habitats Restoring damaged or destroyed habitats Zoos, aquaria, botanical gardens Seed banks

Protecting Habitats

Restoring Damaged Habitats Restoration ecology Study of the historical condition of a human-damaged ecosystem Goal is to return it to its former state Benefits Creates biological habitats Regeneration of soil damaged by agriculture or mining Disadvantages Expensive Take a long time to restore an area

Restoring Damaged Habitats Left: (1935) Early stages of prairie restoration Right: (current day) restored prairie

Zoos, Aquaria and Botanical Garden Save organisms from extinction Artificial insemination Embryo transfer Surrogate mothers (right) Goal is to reintroduce organisms back to their natural habitat Problems? Bongo Calf and its surrogate mother, a female eland

Seed Banks Stored seeds are safe from habitat destruction, climate warming, etc. Can use seed banks to reintroduce extinct plant species Some seeds cannot be stored