Principles of Conservation Biology
What is Conservation Biology?
Guiding principles Preservation of Biodiversity Prevent untimely extinctions Maintain ecological complexity Evolution should continue Biodiversity has intrinsic value
Goals Document the range of biodiversity on Earth Investigate human impacts on species, genetic variation, and ecosystems Develop practical approaches to prevent extinctions, maintain genetic diversity, and protect and restore biological communities and ecosystem functions
Conservation Biology, Environmentalism, Social Justice
What is the biggest issue in conservation biology today?
Population Growth
The power of Conservation
Wild Turkey Turnaround Once limited to less than 30,000 individuals (fewer than the number of remaining orangutans today!), wild turkeys have rebounded to an estimated 7 million individuals. http://blog.nature.org/science/2013/11/26/wild-turkey-restoration-the-greatest-conservation-success-story/
History of Conservation Biology
The European Approach
Which led to...extinction
Passenger Pigeon
Carolina Parakeet
The seeds of early European conservationism 18th-19th centuries – colonial powers began implementing protections 1769 Mauritius – 25% landholdings preserved 1852 India – forest protections
Early North American Conservation
Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) “Every creature is better alive than dead, men and moose and pine trees, and he who understands it aright will rather preserve its life than destroy it. “ Wrote Walden in 1854; believed in the necessity of experiencing Nature Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) “Nature always wears the colors of the spirit.” Influential Philosopher; nature was a temple in which people could interact with the spiritual realm, wrote Nature
Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) “Every creature is better alive than dead, men and moose and pine trees, and he who understands it aright will rather preserve its life than destroy it. “ Wrote Walden in 1854; believed in the necessity of experiencing Nature Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) “Nature hates calculators.” Influential Philosopher; nature was a temple in which people could interact with the spiritual realm
John Muir (1838-1914) “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.“ Preservationist ethic; believed in the intrinsic value of nature. Founded the Sierra Club. “Father of the National Parks” http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/watch-video/#645
Preservationist Ethic
The Resource Conservation Ethic “the greatest good of the greatest number for the longest time” Head of the national forest service Natural resources: all the commodities and qualities found in nature (timber, fodder, landscapes, water) The seeds of sustainability Resources should be put to the best use and not wasted Multiple use of resources (current land management) Resou Gifford Pinchot (1865-1946)
The Resource Conservation Ethic
The land ethic Humankind is a part of nature – we require both preservation and management Most important: maintain the health of natural ecosystems and processes Aldo Leopold (1887-1984)
Other early pioneers Ellen Swallow Richards (1842-1911) Connections between water quality and sewage/industrial wastes. Led to first water quality standards and eventually modern sewage treatment
Written in 1962; raised awareness of the role of pesticides, chemicals and bird declines
The birth of Conservation Biology Founded in 1985 by eminent scientists Mission: To advance the science and practice of conserving the Earth's biological diversity.
Some successes National and International Government action Endangered Species Act Red Lists in the EU National Parks, protected areas Treaties Regulations (CITES) $$$ - lots of funding for conservation biology Science central to decision making for many conservation organizations (e.g., Nature Conservancy)
Some successes CB’s goals part of scientific activities and policies Increased media coverage More courses like this! The SCB is huge – over 10,000 members in 120 countries