1. Chapter 55
Conservation Biology

2. Threats to Biodiversity
Human Alteration of Habitats
single greatest threat to biodiversity
agriculture, urban development, forestry, mining, and environmental pollution
93% of the oceans coral reefs have been damaged

3. Threats to Biodiversity (con’t)
Overexploitation of Wildlife
excessive commercial harvest, sport fishing, and hunting
whales, American Bison, Galapogas tortoises..
illegal trade of rare and exotic animals
African Elephant...

4. Threats to Biodiversity (con’t)
Competition of exotic (nonnative) and native species
displacement of endemic species to other parts of the world causing causing ecosystem shake-ups
fire ants

5. Conservation at the Population and Species Levels
Endangered species - in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
Threatened species - in danger of becoming endangered in the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.

6. Protected Areas Database

7. What do the GAP codes mean?
Gap 1 An area having permanent protection from conversion of natural land
cover and a mandated management plan in operation to maintain
a natural state within which disturbance events
(of natural type, frequency, intensity, and legacy)
are allowed to proceed without interference or are
mimicked through management. Examples: National Parks, Nature Preserves, Wilderness Areas

8. Gap 2 An area having permanent protection from conversion of natural land
cover and a mandated management plan in operation to maintain a
primarily natural state, but which may receive uses or management
practices that degrade the quality of existing natural communities,
including suppression of natural disturbance. Examples: State Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, and
National Recreation Areas

9. Gap 3 An area having permanent protection from conversion of natural land cover for
the majority of the area, but subject to extractive uses of either a broad,
low-intensity type (e.g., logging) or localized intense type (e.g., mining).
It also confers protection to federally listed endangered and threatened
species throughout the area. Examples: National Forests, most Bureau of Land Management Land, and
Wildlife Management Areas