Conservation Biology Fall 2007

What is Conservation Biology?  Applied, interdisciplinary science developed in response to rapid modern loss of species & habitats.  3 goals: oDocument diversity of organisms on Earth oStudy human impact on species and habitats oDevelop methods to preserve those species and their habitats

Conservation Biology…. The study of Biological Diversity

Semester Summary The semester was built around these 4 questions about Biodiversity:

Biological Diversity:  What is it, & how do scientists study it?  How did it get here?  What threatens it today?  How can we preserve it, as much as possible?

What is Biological Diversity?

Bacteria Archaebacteria ProtistsPlants Fungi Animals

Levels of Biological Diversity – Diversity at different scales: 1) Genetic Diversity

2) Species Diversity 3) Habitat Diversity

What are the Origins of Biological Diversity?

Biodiversity Origins  Genetic diversity: what it is, how it works  Species diversity: what is a species, how do they arise?  Evolution: how has the diversity of organisms come to be here on Earth? oArtificial selection vs. natural selection  Ecosystem diversity: food webs & how they work

What are the Threats to Biological Diversity?

Biodiversity Threats  History of Life & Mass Extinctions  Dangers of small population sizes  History of human impacts  Modern threats… oHabitat loss, fragmentation & degradation oInvasion of exotic species oGlobal climate change

What are some Solutions to the Biodiversity Crisis?

Solutions to the Biodiversity Crisis Saving Species:  Minimum viable populations  Habitat size  3 levels of intervention to save species (habitat improvement, captive breeding, off-site conservation)… in situ vs. ex situ preservation

Solutions to the Biodiversity Crisis Saving Habitat:  Island Biogeography theory & what it tells us about designing habitat reserves  Ideal design of habitat reserves  What has been done in U.S.?  US Legislation to preserve biodiversity oFocused on species, habitats? (both?) oArticle “Bred for Success” – relate to above question

Solutions to the Biodiversity Crisis Sustainability & Sustainable Development:  Video: The Shaman’s Apprentice  Guest Lecture: Jim Dyer on sustainable farming & ranching (farms as habitat)  Debate: What is our best hope for encouraging preservation of biodiversity?  Closing: EO Wilson & the biodiversity bottleneck…

Saving “The Creation”  What will it take to preserve biological diversity?  Getting through the “Bottleneck” oWilson, pg. 311 quote

What are the best arguments for preservation?  Pragmatism first: oUse biodiversity oEconomics, technology (Wilson ch. 13) oHow many species do we rely upon for food today? (p 287) oIn diversity, often more stability (or resilience)  Most biodiversity housed in most impoverished nations – how can we help? (Frontiers article)

What agenda does Wilson propose to get diversity through the bottleneck?  List his 5 points: oWhat are they? oWhat is a problem associated with or addressed by each point? oWhat is an example of success he mentions for each point?  Report to class

But, of course, the only real hope for preservation must go beyond pragmatism  Biophilia: oThe inherent awe, connection and respect humanity feels for the rest of nature oWhen we have enough food & shelter, we can remember this sense of love & wonder we all have for the natural world – the world we were born of

 Wilson – ch. 15 – quote, oP (4 paragraphs) oRead this!!!!!

So, what can we do? What can YOU do…? My heart is moved by all I cannot save: So much has been destroyed I have cast my lot with those who, age after age, perversely, with no extraordinary power reconstitute the world. ---Adrienne Rich