1. Conservation Biology and Restoration Ecology Chapter 55

2. Three Levels of Biodiversity Three Levels of Biodiversity

3. Genetic Diversity Genetic differences within a population Genetic variations between populations Genetic differences within a population Genetic variations between populations

4. Species Diversity Is the variety of species in an ecosystem or throughout the biosphere

5. Conservation biologists are concerned about species loss –Because of a number of alarming statistics regarding extinction and biodiversity

6. Ecosystem Diversity Variety of ecosystems in the biosphere The local extinction of one species can have a negative impact on the overall species richness of the community Human activity is affecting ecosystem diversity Variety of ecosystems in the biosphere The local extinction of one species can have a negative impact on the overall species richness of the community Human activity is affecting ecosystem diversity

7. Biophilia--our sense of connection to nature and other forms of life

8. Ecosystem services Ecosystem services encompass all the processes –Through which natural ecosystems and the species they contain help sustain human life on Earth Ecosystem services encompass all the processes –Through which natural ecosystems and the species they contain help sustain human life on Earth

9. Includes… –Purification of air and water –Detoxification and decomposition of wastes –Cycling of nutrients –Moderation of weather extremes –And many others –Purification of air and water –Detoxification and decomposition of wastes –Cycling of nutrients –Moderation of weather extremes –And many others

10. Major threats to biodiversity Most species loss can be traced to four major threats –Habitat destruction –Introduced species –Overexploitation –Disruption of “interaction networks” Most species loss can be traced to four major threats –Habitat destruction –Introduced species –Overexploitation –Disruption of “interaction networks”

11. Habitat Destruction Human alteration of habitat –Is the single greatest threat to biodiversity throughout the biosphere Massive destruction of habitat –Has been brought about by many types of human activity Human alteration of habitat –Is the single greatest threat to biodiversity throughout the biosphere Massive destruction of habitat –Has been brought about by many types of human activity

12. Introduced Species Those that humans move, either intentionally or accidentally, from the species’ native locations to new geographic regions

13. Introduced species… That gain foothold usually disrupt their adopted community, often by preying on native organisms or outcompeting them for resources

14. Overexploitation Human harvesting of wild plants or animals at rates exceeding the ability of population of those species rebound Figure 55.7

15. Disruption of Interaction Networks The extinction of one species can doom others, particularly when the extinction involves a keystone species

16. Concept 55.2: Population conservation focuses on population size, genetic diversity, and critical habitat Two approaches: Conservation biologists who adopt the small- population approach – Study the processes that can cause very small populations finally to become extinct

17. Extinction Vortex Small pops. Prone to This positive feedback Loop that draw pop Down an extinction vortex Small pops. Prone to This positive feedback Loop that draw pop Down an extinction vortex Small population Inbreeding Genetic drift Lower reproduction Higher mortality Loss of genetic variability Reduction in individual fitness and population adaptability Smaller population Figure 55.9

18. The key factor driving the extinction vortex –Is the loss of the genetic variation necessary to enable evolutionary responses to environmental change The key factor driving the extinction vortex –Is the loss of the genetic variation necessary to enable evolutionary responses to environmental change

19. The minimum viable population (MVP) –Is the minimum population size at which a species is able to sustain its numbers and survive The minimum viable population (MVP) –Is the minimum population size at which a species is able to sustain its numbers and survive

20. A population viability analysis (PVA) –Predicts a population’s chances for survival over a particular time –Factors in the MVP of a population A population viability analysis (PVA) –Predicts a population’s chances for survival over a particular time –Factors in the MVP of a population

21. Declining Population Approach The declining-population approach –Focuses on threatened and endangered populations that show a downward trend, regardless of population size –Emphasizes the environmental factors that caused a population to decline in the first place The declining-population approach –Focuses on threatened and endangered populations that show a downward trend, regardless of population size –Emphasizes the environmental factors that caused a population to decline in the first place

22. The declining-population approach –Requires that population declines be evaluated on a case-by-case basis –Involves a step-by-step proactive conservation strategy The declining-population approach –Requires that population declines be evaluated on a case-by-case basis –Involves a step-by-step proactive conservation strategy

23. Landscape and regional conservation aim to sustain entire biotas

24. Landscape Structure and Biodiversity The structure of a landscape can strongly influence biodiversity The boundaries, or edges, between ecosystems –Are defining features of landscapes The structure of a landscape can strongly influence biodiversity The boundaries, or edges, between ecosystems –Are defining features of landscapes (a) Natural edges. Grasslands give way to forst ecosystems in Yellowstone National Park. (b) Edges created by human activity. Pronounced edges (roads) surround clear-cuts in this photograph of a heavily logged rain forest in Malaysia. Figure 55.14a, b

25. As habitat fragmentation increases and edges become more extensive, biodiversity tends to decrease

26. A movement corridor –Is a narrow strip of quality habitat connecting otherwise isolated patches –Can promote dispersal and help sustain populations A movement corridor –Is a narrow strip of quality habitat connecting otherwise isolated patches –Can promote dispersal and help sustain populations

27. Biodiversity Hot Spots A biodiversity hot spot is a relatively small area –With an exceptional concentration of endemic species and a large number of endangered and threatened species A biodiversity hot spot is a relatively small area –With an exceptional concentration of endemic species and a large number of endangered and threatened species Terrestrial biodiversity hot spots Equator Figure 55.17

28. Nature reserves are biodiversity islands –In a sea of habitat degraded to varying degrees by human activity The zoned reserve model recognizes that conservation efforts –Often involve working in landscapes that are largely human dominated Nature reserves are biodiversity islands –In a sea of habitat degraded to varying degrees by human activity The zoned reserve model recognizes that conservation efforts –Often involve working in landscapes that are largely human dominated

29. Concept 55.4: Restoration ecology attempts to restore degraded ecosystems to a more natural state

30. Bioremediation –Is the use of living organisms to detoxify ecosystems Bioremediation –Is the use of living organisms to detoxify ecosystems

31. Biological augmentation –Uses organisms to add essential materials to a degraded ecosystem Biological augmentation –Uses organisms to add essential materials to a degraded ecosystem

32. The newness and complexity of restoration ecology –Require scientists to consider alternative solutions and adjust approaches based on experience The newness and complexity of restoration ecology –Require scientists to consider alternative solutions and adjust approaches based on experience

33. Concept 55.5: Sustainable development seeks to improve the human condition while conserving biodiversity

34. Sustainable Biosphere Initiative Acquire the ecological information needed for the development, management, and conservation

35. Biophilia and the Future of the Biosphere Our innate sense of connection to nature may eventually motivate a realignment of our environmental priorities