Pluie, the Wandering Wolf

Epic Journey

Conservation Biology Design, Restoration Ecology, & Pop Dynamics Definition History & Connections Biodiversity & threats Ecosystem Goods & Services Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

Biotic diversity has intrinsic value. 1.Yes 2.No

Is the following statement true or false: Conservation biology does acknowledge the fact that it is a “ value-laden ” field. 1.True 2.False

Definition … 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

PURE VS. APPLIED Pure: pursue knowledge for its own sake Applied: use known principles to solve practical problems

Critique Clearly western, North American Juxtaposition of ‘wild areas’ and trashed areas. … 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

HISTORY Alfred Russel Wallace George Perkins Marsh 1860s

HISTORY 1900s Progressive Era Gifford Pinchot John Muir

History Realization: Wallace, Marsh Progressive Era (utilitarian [Pinchot] vs. preservationist [Muir]) Appreciation of the biota as a whole - biocentric (vs. anthropocentric view) Laws of the early 70s Emergence of Conservation Biology

Focus on Biodiversity Diversity - the number of different items and their relative frequency. Biodiversity - number and variety of species, ecological systems, and the genetic variability they contain.

Foundation - 1 Population biology: a study of biological populations of organisms, especially in terms of biodiversity, evolution, and environmental biology. Island Biogeography: Number of species present = f(rate of immigration & rate of extinction) Concept of Umbrella Species

ISLAND BIOGEOGRAPHY The study of island biogeography is a field within biogeography that attempts to establish and explain the factors that affect the species richness of a particular community. In this context the island can be any area of habitat surrounded by areas unsuitable for the species on the island; not just true islands surrounded by ocean, but also mountains surrounded by deserts, lakes surrounded by dry land, forest fragments surrounded by human-altered landscapes.

Foundation - 2 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

Core Corridor Fragmentation Connectivity Mountains ‘Mainland’ ‘Island’ Size Age Environment

Loss of Biodiversity - Real or imagined problem The conceptual framework A real example Practical example

Conceptual Background

Practical Example Conventional agriculture vs. “sustainable agriculture” In order to maintain simplified biological systems, one must use extensive quantities of energy –Water –Fuel –Fertilizers –Pesticides

Threats to Biodiversity Habitat loss/conversion/degradation/ fragmentation Species introductions (includes invasive species) Over-harvesting (hunting, fishing) Air pollution Climate change

Example with Climate Change Red pine Loblolly pine

Solutions Ex-situ (off-site) conservation: Arboreta, zoos, plant collections, seed banks In-situ conservation: Preserves, reserves –SLOSS: Single large or several small. –Working farms and forests Recognition of attributes of ‘umbrella’ species (link to discussion of food chain/web) Yellowstone to Yukon (remember Pluie) Restoration

Outcome Corridor of connected protected areas Identification of –Prime habitat –Areas at risk

Alternative (s) Restoration Working environments (agriculture, grazing and forestry)

Analysis of Restoration Project Transformation of a relative small piece of land (~ 0.15 acres) Work for 70 $10 per hour –142 students –6 TAs –2 Faculty $11670 per acre

Renewable Resources: Forest Ecosystems Original Today Frontier

Choices Which seems the poorest choice? A B C D

Time Appropriate Questions What do forest ecosystems provide? What is important or valuable? How do we conserve what is valuable? What approaches are available for defining what is important? What approaches are available for conserving? Are we kidding ourselves?

Older definition of Ecosystem goods and services Ecosystem goods: Biophysical elements that are directly, or indirectly, consumed by humans Ecosystem services: processes that produce, or support the production of, ecosystem goods (most involve some biogeochemical cycle).

Newer definition of Ecosystem goods and services Provisional services (e.g., food, fiber, fuelwood, biochemicals, genetic resources, and water) Cultural services (e.g., recreational, ecotourism, educational, sense of place, cultural heritage, spiritual, religious and other nonmaterial benefits). Supporting services (e.g., primary production, soil formation & nutrient cycling) Regulating services (e.g., water regulation [floods, irrigation], water purification, climate regulation, land degradation, and disease regulation)

Example of an Ecosystem Service Soil provides the following ecosystem services –Significant regulator of the hydrological cycle –Shelters seeds, provides medium for plant growth, provides physical support –Retains, delivers & derives nutrients –Significant role in decomposition –Contributes to cycling, retention & regulation of major element cycles (N, P, C, S) –Carbon storage & cycle –Role as a purifier (water, nutrients, etc.)

Forest ecosystems: Goods & Services Fiber - paper and products Fuel - cooking & heating Water - quantity and quality Nutrient cycling Ecosystem energetics (food chain) Air - CO 2 uptake, O 2 release, pollutant removal Climate stability Biodiversity/habitat: plant and animal (wildlife) Medicine and food products Recreation/mental & social health Reference: Richard Louv’s Last Child in the Woods (2006)

Ecosystem: A Human Construct Definition: An ecological system composed of living organisms (plants, animals, & microbes) and their nonliving environment. Ecosystems are characterized by: –Structure & function –Complexity –Interaction of the components –Change over time (e.g., disturbances), “young, mature, old.” Today, these functions must be spatially and temporally coordinated.

Ecosystem threats? Loss of habitat: Land-use change and irreversible conversion (fragmentation) Disruption of biogeochemical cycles (N,C,P) Invasive or introduced exotic organisms Toxins, pollutants, human wastes Climate change

Ensuring Ecosystem Goods & Services: Approaches Examine three different approaches –First, we identify specific species we want in our ecosystem (e.g., wolves, spotted owl, whitebark pine, etc.). –Second, we identify a process we want to maintain (e.g., carbon fixation). –Third: A more comprehensive or systems approach. Two examples that use this third approach –NCSSF - small scale, small perspective –MEA - small to large scale, many perspectives

Whitebark Pine Approach 1. Save a species!

Distribution & Importance of Whitebark Pine Pinus albicaulis High elevation pine Large seed Special relationship with a bird Important for other animals Keystone species in the Rockies

Whitebark Pine: Ecological Importance Hardy subalpine conifer, tolerates poor soils, steep slopes, windy exposures. Often the tree line species Keystone species (Rocky Mountain Region) –Food source - birds, small mammals & bears –Often colonizes a site, facilitates succession & promotes diversity –Regulates runoff, reduces soil erosion Picture: C.J. Earle

Decline of Whitebark Pine White pine blister rust: Cronartium ribicola, is a rust fungus with two hosts. –All North American 5- needled pines –In addition, it infects all species of the genus Ribes spp., its alternate host. –European & Russian species resistant Problems today –Fire suppression –Global climate change –Mountain pine beetle

Situation Whitebark pine is likely to disappear. What are our choices? –Do nothing (its “natural”) –Remove the Ribes –Breed for resistance –Introduce resistant European/Russian species –Selection and genetic engineering of the endophyte. 2. Ensure a function!

Manage for Carbon Dioxide Uptake Two goals: Understand where the hidden sink for carbon dioxide is Use forest systems to take up CO 2. Approach taken by Canada - Kyoto Protocol Difficulties Issues of scale (quality of info vs. extent of info) Monitoring Unknowns (soil carbon)

Lessons from first 2 approaches Managing single components or processes: Hard Determination of what to measure, at what scale, how often, etc. Techniques to measure (e.g., what is there now & how is it changing) are expensive Monitoring - expensive, takes time Understanding of interactions (e.g., cascading effects) Regulatory environment may define Nature changes (e.g., forest fire)

Third Approach Work on maintaining “properly” functioning ecosystems Key: Remember all the functions?

Two examples Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Program (MEA) National Commission on Science for Sustainable Forestry (NCSSF)

Ecosystem Goods and Services Definition of Ecosystem Goods and Services Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Program Example

MILLENNIUM ECOSYSTEM ASSESSMENT 4 years 1300 researchers 4 volumes and 7 synthesis reports “powerful, complex linkages between ecosystem change and human well- being”

MEA Conceptual Framework Global Regional Local Human well- being & poverty reduction Life on Earth: Biodiversity Ecosystem Services Indirect Drivers of Change Demographic Economic Sociopolitical Science & technology Cultural & religious Direct Drivers of Change Changes in land use & land cover Species removal or introductions Technology Climate change Natural physical & biological drivers External inputs

MEA Goals Identify options that can better achieve core human development and sustainability goals. –Recognize & meet growing demands for food, clean water, health, and employment. –Balance economic growth and social development with environmental conservation. Better understand trade-offs involved — across stakeholders — in decisions concerning the environment. Rather than issue by issue, use a multi-sectoral approach Match response options with appropriate level of governance

Well-Being Defined (MEA) Security: Ability to –a. live in an environmentally clean and safe shelter –b. reduce vulnerability to ecological shocks & stress. Basic material for a good life: Ability to access resources to earn income and gain a livelihood Health: Clean water, air, adequate nourishment, adequate energy for temperature regulation, good health Good social relations Freedom & Choice

MEA: Assessments & Publications December 2005

Pressures on Goals of MEA Population Growth Economy, consumption Combined demand on natural resources Land degradation & conversion Invasive organisms Climate change Public Health (e.g., HIV, malaria, nutrition) Template for evaluation Political acceptance & will (and consistency)

Mission: to advance the science and practice of biodiversity conservation and forest sustainability Critical Question: How does an owner or manager of forest land tell whether biodiversity and sustainability are being positively, negatively or neutrally affected by management practices and decisions? Or: Is your land ‘good’, changing, & changing in what direction?

What’s needed? Early warning assessment system that is –Rapid & cost effective And that is based on Stand level sustainability (condition): –Development of functional indicators (of ecosystem services) & –associated benchmarks These indicators/benchmarks should represent best available information/science.

Does it works in practice Functions, variables and benchmark levels can be defined A sampling scheme has been designed & tested Evaluation is then a comparison of values and changes in values. Subsequent decisions are then based on goals and objectives set by land owner.

Does it work? Perhaps (actually data from urban to rural land Weakness: –Assumes that the indicators are correct and respond in a measurable & timely way –Assumes that we can react fast enough. –Does not link objectives over large areas of land. Clearly better than nothing

Conclusion: Difficulties Setting limits and distributing responsibility Scale & variable (s) Measurement Monitoring Assessment Regulation Outcomes and Feedback Choices Political will = Human will