1. Conservation Biology Chapter 38
We are now living through a biodiversity crisis
A rapid decrease in Earth’s great variety of organisms
6th mass extinction event in Earth’s history
Modified by K. McCoy

2. THE BIODIVERSITY CRISIS: AN OVERVIEW
38.1 Human activities threaten Earth’s biodiversity
Biodiversity includes
Genetic diversity, within and between populations --raw material for adaptation
Species diversity
Ecosystem diversity
Figure 38.1B

3. Known extinct during historical times or threatened with extinction
Human activities
Threaten diversity at all levels
Figure 38.1A
Known extinct during historical times or threatened with extinction
12% if birds
24% mammals
20% of all freshwater fish
200 species of plants in US extinct
730 endangered

4. Biodiversity is valuable for its own sake
MOVIE

5. Biodiversity is valuable for its own sake (movie)
Some people believe that all living organisms have an innate right to life.

6. Rosy periwinkle treats cancer
Biodiversity is valuable for its own sake and…
38.2 Biodiversity is vital to human welfare
Also provides food, clothing, shelter, oxygen, medicines, and ecosystem services
25% of all prescriptions are plant based
Figure 38.2
Rosy periwinkle treats cancer
Rosy periwinkle is native to Madagascar
8000 species of flowering plants many not studied yet
Madagascar has lost 80% of its forests and 50% of its native species!

7. Network of interactions among populations of different species.
Ecosystem diversity
Network of interactions among populations of different species.
Means that extinction of one species can negatively impact the ecosystem and connected ecosystems…(aquatic to terrestrial)
Each ecosystem has a global function… if altered can affect biosphere
“protective pastures” of phytoplankton in ocean uses CO2 for photosynthesis (producers) and for building shells…
Feeding us and protecting us from global warming…

8. Ecosystems have economic value
Ecosystem services
Ecosystems have economic value
Wetland reduce severity of floods
Natural predators reduce crop pests
Pollination
Plants purify air
Decomposition of waste
Nutrient cycling
Value of services 1997 = 33 trillion US $
Global gross national product 1997 = 18 trillion
GNP~ total market value goods and services produced plus the income accruing as a result of investments.

9. So ecosystems are valuable and necessary for maintaining our current comfortable way of life.

10. Humans are a part of the environment and not apart from it
Humans are a part of the environment and not apart from it. Your actions affect other organisms.
The things we eat, wear, drive, and purchase have a direct impact on organisms, populations, and communities around the globe.

11. Figure 38.3A
38.3 Habitat destruction, introduced species, and overexploitation are the major threats to biodiversity
Introduced species
Can disrupt communities by competing with or preying on native species

12. May be concentrated by biological magnification
Herring
gull eggs
124 ppm
Lake trout
4.83 ppm
Smelt
1.04 ppm
Zooplankton
0.123 ppm
Phytoplankton
0.025 ppm
Concentration of PCBs
Figure 38.4
Habitat destruction
Chemical pesticides
May be concentrated by biological magnification
Phytoplankton absorb chemicals
Zooplankton eat a lot of phytoplnkton
Fish eat a lot of zooplankton
Larger fish eat a lot of small fish
Birds and humans eat a lot of large fish

13. 38.4 Pollution compounds our impact on other species
Effects of pollution include
Acid rain, ozone depletion, eutrophication, and dead zones ( and
A Dead Zone is a large region of the ocean that is very low in oxygen, and therefore can't support life. Dead Zones occur along many of the world's coastlines and are caused by fertilizer and sewage and other nutrients.

14. Overexploitation of wildlife by harvesting
Has threatened various animal and plant species
Figure 38.3B

15. Burning of fossil fuels
38.5 Rapid global warming is altering entire biosphere
Burning of fossil fuels
Is increasing the amount of CO2 and other greenhouse gases in the air
CO2 concentration (ppm)
Temperature variation (°C)
390
380
370
360
350
340
330
320
310
300
1960
1965
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
1.05
0.90
0.75
0.60
0.45
0.30
0.15
–0.15
–0.45
–0.30
Temperature
CO2
Year
Figure 38.5A

16. Rapid global warming is altering entire biosphere
The increase of these gases in the atmosphere
leading to global warming
Global warming:
CO2 lets sunlight through
but retains the heat
radiated from Earth.
CO2 in the
atmosphere
Human activities and natural
processes add CO2 to the
atmosphere, increasing the effect.
Photosynthesis removes
CO2 from the atmosphere,
decreasing the effect.
CO2
Figure 38.5B
Destroying rain forest and causing dead zones in the ocean…increase global warming

17. Change climate patterns, melt polar ice caps, flood coastal regions
Global warming may
Change climate patterns, melt polar ice caps, flood coastal regions
Increase the rate of species loss
Affect coastal communities of humans
Figure 38.5C

18. Can we do anything about it?
So we are destroying the Earth…
Can we do anything about it?
YEP, MANY PEOPLE ARE.
Conservation biology: Is a goal-driven science that seeks to counter the biodiversity crisis.

19. CONSERVATION OF POPULATIONS AND SPECIES
Major Threat: Habitat degradation
Often fragments populations, causing their numbers to decline
Figure 38.6A, B

20. CONSERVATION OF POPULATIONS AND SPECIES
38.6 Two ways to study endangered populations
The small-population approach
Identifies the minimum viable population size and focuses on preserving genetic variation
The declining-population approach
Diagnoses and treats the causes of a population’s decline

21. MANAGING AND RESTORING ECOSYSTEMS
38.8 Sustaining ecosystems and landscapes is a conservation priority
Conservation efforts
Are increasingly aimed at sustaining ecosystems and landscapes (habitats)
Figure 38.8C
Figure 38.8A, B

22. 38.7 Identifying critical habitat factors can guide conservation efforts
Preserving and managing critical habitat
May help endangered species recover
Figure 38.7A–C

23. Migratory species, both terrestrial and aquatic
May require international protection
Figure 38.9B

24. 38.9 Protected areas are established to slow biodiversity loss
Biodiversity hot spots
Have large concentrations of endemic species
Provide an opportunity to protect many species in very limited areas
Equator
Figure 38.9A

25. NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
Yellowstone to Yukon
Ecoregion
ALBERTA
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
YUKON
TERRITORY
BRITISH
COLUMBIA
WASHINGTON
OREGON
IDAHO
WYOMING
MONTANA
YELLOWSTONE TO YUKON
CONSERVATION INITIATIVE
LEGEND
Major Highways
Protected areas
Y2Y Ecoregion 70
140
280 km
Preservation
38.10 The Yellowstone to Yukon Conversation Initiative seeks to preserve biodiversity by connecting protected areas
Is an international research and conservation effort that seeks to connect reserves and protect species and ecosystems
Figure 38.10A

26. Grizzly bears and gray wolves
Are two species that may benefit from this initiative
Figure 38.10B, C

27. Restoration Large-scale restoration project
Attempt to restore damaged landscapes

28. 38.12The Kissimmee River Restoration Project
Is restoring river flow and wetlands, and improving water quality and wildlife habitat
Former canal
Figure 38.12A, B

29. Protection Zoned reserves
38.13 Zoned reserves are an attempt to reverse ecosystem disruption
Zoned reserves
Are undisturbed wild-lands surrounded by buffer zones of compatible economic development

30. Has established many zoned reserves
Costa Rica
Has established many zoned reserves
Caribbean Sea
Nicaragua
Costa
Rica
National parkland
Buffer zone
Pacific Ocean
Panama
Buffer zones supply steady lasting supply of forest products, water, hydro electric power etc.
Supports sustainable agriculture
While maintaining 80% native species and nature as a resource for tourism.
Figure 38.13A, B

31. Zoned reserves Work because They involve partnerships
among national and local governments, non-government organizations, and citizens
They are NOT damaging human welfare
Infant mortality is down
Life expectancy is up
Living conditions have improved
Literacy rate is very high

32. We must understand that natural processes sustain us.
38.14 Sustainable development is the ultimate goal
Sustainable development
Seeks to improve the human condition while conserving biodiversity
Depends on increasing and applying ecological knowledge as well as valuing our linkages to the biosphere
Figure 38.14
We must understand that natural processes sustain us.
The goal is for each generation to inherit enough natural and economic resources and a stable environment.

33. Saving the Tiger Tigers once roamed across Asia
But the arrival of humans brought competition for food, and also hunters
Myanmar tiger photographed by a remote “camera trap”

34. Another example of success.. Conservation efforts
Are providing protection for tigers in Myanmar so their populations can increase
The efforts to save tigers
Reflect a worldwide struggle to preserve biodiversity, the diversity of living things.
Hukawng Valley, Myanmar