Option G Ecology and Conservation G1- Community Ecology G2- Ecosystems and Biomes G3- Impacts of Humans on Ecosystems Test G4- Conservation and Biodiversity G5- Population Ecology Test

Option G Ecology and Conservation G4- Conservation and Biodiversity

Biotic Indices 1. Explain the use of biotic indices and indicator species in monitoring environmental change. Problems in natural ecosystems can be detected quickly if there is frequent and proper monitoring. Indicator species- organisms that are known to show certain characteristics in the presence or absence of an environmental phenomenon, such as chemical pollution and climate conditions

Biotic Indices Measurements for indicator species can include: Presence/Absence Relative abundance Physical abnormalities

Indicator Species Wood Storks In the Everglades the birds declined from 6000 to 500 since the 1960 ’ s. They feed by touch in shallow muddy water full of plants. This requires the seasonally drying of the wetlands to concentrate enough fish to support the large birds. Human water management is disrupting the natural wetland cycles.

Indicator Species Different species of Lichen have different tolerances to sulphur dioxide Unpolluted Well Oxygenated Water- Stonefly, mayfly and caddis fly larvae Low Oxygenated, excessive levels of suspended organic matter- Chironomid midge larvae, rat tailed maggot larvae and tubifex worms

Biotic Indices Biotic Index- calculation that gives an overall environmental assessment of a river or other ecosystem. –Involves multiplying the number of indicator species by its pollution tolerance rating. –An abundance of tolerant species gives a low overall score and an abundance of intolerant species gives a high score. –The lower the score indicates some type of problem

Extinction of Species 2. Outline the factors that contributed to the extinction of one named animal species.

Extinction of an Animal Species Conuropsis carolinensis- Carolina Parakeet Brightly colored, found in forests to the east of Mississippi, from New York to Florida. Fed on seeds of trees and herbs. Clearance of forest (habitat destruction) reduced their habitat and they began feeding on crop plants. Farmers began killing them, others collected them for their feathers, and also as pets. By 1900 there were none left in the wild and the last one died in the Cincinnati Zoo in 1918

Diversity 3. Outline the biogeographical features of nature reserves that promote the conservation of diversity. The size and shape of nature reserves affects their conservation value. The distribution of ecosystems within a nature reserve is also important.

Diversity Large nature reserves usually promote better conservation of biodiversity more effectively than multiple smaller ones. Edge Effect- An edge effect in biology is the effect of the juxtaposition of contrasting environments on an ecosystem. –This term is commonly used in conjunction with the boundary between natural habitats, especially forests, and disturbed or developed land. –Edge effects are especially pronounced in small habitat fragments where they may extend throughout the patch. Corridors- connect isolated habitats by providing a path for animals to travel –Examples: tunnel under a road, corridors to connect giant panda populations

Conservation 4. Discuss the role of active management techniques in conservation. Active Management Strategies: 1. Restoration- attempt to return land to its natural state, including supplementary feeding or clearing of vegetation 2. Recovery of threatened species- restore that species’ specific ecosystem 3. Removal of introduced species- alien species must be eliminated, especially alien species of predators and invasive plants 4. Legal protection against development or pollution- using laws, posted signs an security to prevent human activity that can damage the ecosystem 5. Funding and prioritizing- increase public awareness to help get funding

Conservation Example The National Key Deer Refuge in Big Pine Key encompasses 8542 acres. The refuge is home to the imperiled tropical hardwood hammock habitat and 22 federally listed endangered and threatened species of plants and animals, 5 of which are endemic. 1.Deer management as an endangered species, including medical and rehabilitation, habitat restoration and enhancement, routine herd health monitoring and population checks, and research on population density, behavior, and migration patterns. 2.Prescribed fires 3.Routine wildlife monitoring 4.Habitat restoration 5.Mechanical and chemical control of invasive exotic plants 6.Education/Interpretation 7.Law enforcement 8.Volunteer assistance with projects and programs

In Situ Conservation 5. Discuss the advantages of in situ conservation of endangered species (terrestrial and aquatic nature reserves). In situ conservation- keeping organisms in their own habitat –The best place to conserve a species is in its own habitat. –Many terrestrial and marine nature reserves have been established for this purpose.

Advantages of in situ conservation Advantages of in situ conservation: 1.Species remain adapted to their habitats 2.Greater genetic diversity can be conserved 3.Animals maintain natural behavior patterns 4.Species interact with each other, helping to conserve the whole ecosystem In situ conservation is not always enough: 1.Some species become so rare that it is not safe to leave them unprotected in the wild 2.Sometimes destruction of a natural habitat makes it essential to remove threatened species from it.

Ex Situ Conservation 6. Outline the use of ex situ conservation measures including captive breeding of animals, botanical gardens, and seed banks. Ex situ conservation- involves conserving biological diversity in human controlled settings.

Ex situ conservation measures Captive breeding- some or all members of a species are caught and moved to a zoo, where they are encouraged to breed. There are special techniques such as artificial insemination and host mothering (a female of a rare species is treated with fertility drugs to produce multiple eggs- these eggs are collected, fertilized with sperm, and surgically implanted into a females of related but less rare species) that are used to increase the number of offspring. Hormone patches have also been developed to stimulate reproduction in endangered bird species. When numbers are high enough, some are returned to the wild to re-establish a natural population. Captive breeding has helped the Hawaiian Kestrel.

Ex situ conservation measures Botanical gardens- sites where many different species of plants are cultivated, either in greenhouses or in the open. One of the largest, Royal Botanical Gardens of Kew has more than 50,000 of the world ’ s 250,000 known species in its collection.

Ex situ conservation measures Seed banks- seeds are kept in cold storage at -10  C to -20  C. Seeds of most species remain viable for more than a hundred years in these conditions. Other species that are not as long lasting can be germinated and grown to produce replacement seed before viability is lost. The Kew Millennium Seed Bank will eventually hold seed of 25,000 endangered species.