1. Conservation and Habitat Loss
Unit 3: Resource Sustainability

2. What is Biodiversity?
Short for “biological diversity,” is the number of different species in a given area
Biodiversity hotspots
Why is it important? Why should we care?
Humans destroy and fragment habitats of species, ultimately causing extinctions
But what about all the humans that live in or rely on that habitat?
People live in and use the rainforest so…
Define fragementation

4. Saving Species
Captive breeding programs – restoring populations by breeding in captivity (Condors)
Preserving genetic material – germ-plasm banks keep seeds, sperm, eggs, or pure DNA intact
Zoos, aquariums, parks, and gardens – shift from putting exotic animals on display to preservation
Drawbacks?
On the verge of extinction
1986 – nine remaining California condors were captured to begin a breeding program. By 2005 there were 121!!
Raised in captivity can it survive in the wild? Small population is susceptible to disease

5. Preservation v. Conservation
What’s the difference?
Conservation is the maintaining of genes, species, communities, and ecosystems that make up earth's biological diversity
Step 1: protect habitats!
Priority to ecosystems (esp. biodiversity hotspots) over individual species
Sustainable practices
Field of conservation biology

6. Legal Protection for Species
Endangered Species Act – 1973, several amendments since, designed to protect animal and plant species in danger of extinction
US Fish and Wildlife Service compiles a list of endangered species
Individuals can be fined
Government is blocked from carrying out projects
Must prepare a species recovery plan (can come in the form of a habitat conservation plan)

7. International Cooperation
Global level – International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN)
Collaboration of 200 governments and 700 private organizations – Red Lists
International CITES treaty
Biodiversity Treaty – 1992 at the first Earth Summit, many groups in the US rejected due to trade concerns
Private efforts exist as well – less restrictions on $$$

8. Fun Park USA – presentations
A corporation called Fun Park USA plans to build a huge amusement park in a natural habitat close to your town
5 roles (aka groups of 5):
Fun Park marketing executive
Pro-Fun Park lawyer (right to use the land)
Scientist who says park will impact biodiversity (how?)
City rep who has tried to get a local species classified as endangered
Citizen who likes amusement parks and wildlife
Your group must: mention specific attractions about the park, reference law or precedent, and reference specific species that will be affected.
Demonstrate the conflict and how you would resolve it!