Chapter 55: Conservation Biology & Restoration Ecology 1.What is conservation biology? -The integration of all aspects of biology to conserve biological diversity at all levels -Ecology, physiology, molecular biology, genetics & evolutionary biology 2.What is restoration ecology? -Applies ecological principles to return humanly disturbed ecosystems back to their natural state 3.What is biodiversity? -Biological diversity -3 levels -Genetic diversity -Genetic variation within a population & genetic variation between populations -Species diversity -The variety of species in an ecosystem or throughout the biosphere -Threatened species – species likely to be considered endangered in the foreseeable future -Endangered species – species in danger of becoming extinct within their range -Ecosystem diversity -The variety of biosphere’s ecosystems -Extinction of 1 species can impact its community & ecosystem

Figure 55.2 Three levels of biodiversity Genetic diversity in a vole population Species diversity in a coastal redwood ecosystem Community and ecosystem diversity across the landscape of an entire region

EXPRIMENT Researchers observed that the population collapse of the greater prairie chicken was mirrored in a reduction in fertility, as measured by the hatching rate of eggs. Comparison of DNA samples from the Jasper County, Illinois, population with DNA from feathers in museum specimens showed that genetic variation had declined in the study population. In 1992, researchers began experimental translocations of prairie chickens from Minnesota, Kansas, and Nebraska in an attempt to increase genetic variation. RESULTS After translocation (blue arrow), the viability of eggs rapidly improved, and the population rebounded. CONCLUSION The researchers concluded that lack of genetic variation had started the Jasper County population of prairie chickens down the extinction vortex. Number of male birds (a) Population dynamics (b) Hatching rate Year Eggs hatched (%) Years Figure 55.10

Chapter 55: Conservation Biology & Restoration Ecology 1.What is conservation biology? 2.What is restoration ecology? 3.What is biodiversity? 4.What things are threatening biodiversity? -Habitat loss -Introduced species -Overexploitation -Disruption of interaction networks (honeybee / pollination)

Figure 55.1 Tropical deforestation in West Kalimantan, Borneo Habitat loss

(a) A red-cockaded woodpecker perches at the entrance to its nest site in a longleaf pine. (b) Forest that can sustain red-cockaded woodpeckers has low undergrowth. (c) Forest that cannot sustain red-cockaded woodpeckers has high, dense undergrowth that impacts the woodpeckers’ access to feeding grounds. Figure 55.13a–c

Figure 55.6 Two introduced species (a) Brown tree snake, intro- duced to Guam in cargo (b) Introduced kudzu thriving in South Carolina

Figure 55.7 Overexploitation North Atlantic bluefin tuna

Chapter 55: Conservation Biology & Restoration Ecology 1.What is conservation biology? 2.What is restoration ecology? 3.What is biodiversity? 4.What things are threatening biodiversity? 5.What’s the difference between fragmentation, an edge, and a corridor? -Fragmentation – division of natural habitat -Edge – boundary between ecosystems – species rich -Corridor – movement strip that connects habitats

Figure 55.15

Figure An artificial corridor

Terrestrial biodiversity hot spots Equator Figure 55.17

Biotic boundary for short-term survival; MVP is 50 individuals. Biotic boundary for long-term survival; MVP is 500 individuals. Grand Teton National Park Wyoming Idaho 43  42  41  40  Kilometers Snake R. Yellowstone National Park Shoshone R. Montana Wyoming Montana Idaho Madison R. Gallatin R. Yellowstone R. Figure (a) Boundaries of the zoned reserves are indicated by black outlines. (b) Local schoolchildren marvel at the diversity of life in one of Costa Rica’s reserves. Nicaragua Costa Rica Panama National park land Buffer zone PACIFIC OCEAN CARIBBEAN SEA Figure 55.19a, b

Biophilia The evolutionary connection between human beings and other plants/animals within the environment. (a) Detail of animals in a Paleolithic mural, Lascaux, France Figure 55.24a (b) Biologist Carlos Rivera Gonzales examining a tiny tree frog in Peru Figure 55.24b