3.3: Conservation And Regeneration Flashcards
(32 cards)
What are some aesthetic and economic reasons to preserve biodiversity?
AESTHETIC:
Joy and pleasure from beauty of nature
- inspiration for photography, poetry, music, art, etc.
ECONOMIC:
Ecotourism:
Major source of income for many countries
-> natural areas attract tourist -> revenue for local economies + provides jobs
Natural capital:
Natural ecosystem provides resources like timber, fish, food, clean water -> maintain -> support long term economic prosperity
Genetic resources:
Wild species -> soruces of gene for crop improvement, medicine, biotechnology
Preserve genetic diversity -> essential for future innovations + food security
Medicine:
Originated from plants, fungi, bacteria
Eg: cancer fighting drug paclitawel sourced from pacific/himalayan yew trees -> but decreased in number due to over-harvesting for fuel/medicine
Large number of drugs sourced from nature -> safe to assume many more to be found
What are some ecological reasons to preserve biodiversity?
Species + habitats contribute to vital ecological processes/services:
-> pollination, water purification, climate regulation, maintains soil fertility
Biodiversity affect stability + resilience of ecosystem:
More diverse ecosystem -> more likely to recover from disturbance
Eg: temp of species rich lake rises (global warming) -> some fish species unable to cope or maybe adapt
Fish that do adapt -> survive -> reproduce -> keep contributing to ecosystem -> continue function
Keystone species:
Have larger impact than others
Eg: bush elephants in African Savannah
-> grazes by knocking over trees and eating them
-> destruction of vegetation help maintain ecosystem by preventing one plant from dominating -> increased biodiversity
-> elephant dung -> habitat for fungi and insects
-> where elephants illegally poached -> major negative impacts on Savannah ecosystem
What are some ethical and social reasons to preserve biodiversity?
ETHICAL:
Many people believe species/habitat have intrinsic value
Many believe human have moral obligation to prevent loss of biodiversity from human activities:
-> no right to cause extinction
-> humans most intelligent, dominant, powerful species -> our responsibility to protect + value organisms on earth
-> ethical obligation to preserve nature for future generations
SOCIAL:
Many people enjoy spending time in nature
-> birdwatching, walking, climbing
-> access to natural spaces improve mental + physical health
-> some environments lost if their biodiversity not conserved -> loss of social benefits
Native people living in ecosystem
What are some reasons to why biodiversity shouldn’t be conserved?
Poachers make 10,000 euros from one elephant
-> average annual salary in Kenya -> 612 euros
Easy for people in developing countries to judge people in developing countries
What is species based conservation?
Conservation focused on protecting an individual species (usually endangered)
-> by focusing on one particular species habitats are saved for many species
Involves ex-situ strategies (conservation action outside of the natural habitat)
What is a flagship species?
Also known as umbrella species
A charismatic, recognizable and popular species used as a symbol for conservation efforts and can help raise awareness and support for conservation efforts
-> not necessarily as ecologically important as other species
Protect these organisms -> other species in ecosystem also benefit under same conservation ‘umbrella’
Usually chosen to make ecosystem management strats easier in area where large number of species are concerned , or biodiversity of ecosystem isn’t known
What are the disadvantages of flagship species?
Takes priority over other -> even if not most in need
-> ugly species aren’t researched -> their role in habitat not known, cannot predict impact of their extinction
If they become extinct -> message is we have failed
May be in conflict with local people
Ex-situ strategies: botanic gardens
Specially designed areas where wide variety of platns are grown for scientific, educational or ornamental purposes
Cultivate and maintain plant species outside natural habitats
Provide safe environment for endangered plants -> facilitate research and education
Eg: kew gardens in London -> over 30,000 different plant species
Ex-situ strategies: Zoos
Zoos keep + breed animals in captivity
-> focus on endangered species
Important for education, research, breeding programs to reintroduce species into the wild
-> captive breeding: process of breeding animals in controlled environments
-> programs used to restore populations or maintain populations unlikely to survive in the wild
Large role in conservation by raising public awareness + funding for conservation efforts
Eg: San Diego zoo in the United States -> breeding program for species like California condor
What is CITES?
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora
-> an international agreement that aims to ensure international trade of wild animals and plants doesn’t threaten their survival
-> set up between countries to protect species at risk of extinction
Government sign up voluntarily and write national laws in accordance with agreement
-> dramatically reduced trade in endangered wild species
-> but penalties don’t always match the crime
APPENDICES:
Each species put in an appendix
Appendix 1: species cannot be traded internationally (primates, cetacea)
Appendix 2: species can be traded internationally but with strict regulations ensuring sustainability
Appendix 3: species included at the request of countries
Ex-situ strategies: seed banks
Places where seeds of different plant species are stored to preserve genetic diversity
Act as backup against loss of plants in natural habitats
Eg: Svalbard global seed vault in Norway holds seeds from all around the world
What is the issue with ex-situ conservation?
In a small population -> some of the alleles may not get passed down due to change
-> Reduced genetic diversity
-> to prevent -> stud-books to keep inbreeding to minimum
Reintroduction programs
-> if successful -> very valuable
-> difficult to be successful
-> eg: California condor, black footed ferret
Eg: Marius the giraffe
feb 2014 -> Copenhagen zoo euthanize giraffe called Marius
-> perfectly healthy 2 year old
-> once euthanized -> autopsy that public could watch -> fed to lions
What is habitat based conservation?
habitat-based conservation focuses on protecting and restoring habitats to support the species that live there
Usually in-situ strategies
-> conservation action within the natural habitat
In-situ strategies: national parks
National park protect large area of natural habitat, preserve ecosystems + species within
Provide opportunity for research n tourism, education
Eg: Yellowstone national park in USA
Protects variety of ecosystems/species (grizzly bears, wolves)
In-situ strategies: reserves and sanctuaries
Areas set aside for the proteciton of a particular species and their habitats
-> aquatic or terrestrial -> to conserve biodiversity, heritage, unique species
-> can be privately owned, but most are national/protected by law
Benefits for:
Control of invasive species
Control of human exploitation
Legal protection of endangered species
Opportunities from research
Restoration of degraded areas
Often involved community participation + sustainable use of resources
Eg: Massai Mara National reserve in Kenya protects a range of species like lions, elephants, wildebeests
What is a protected area?
An area of land of sea especially dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biological diversity, and of natural and associated cultural reserves and managed through legal or other effective means
What are some different habitat conservation strategies?
Habitat management/habtiat conservation strategies:
Aims to protect species by preserving and managing their natural habitats
Strategies crucial for maintaining biodiversity and ensuring the survival of various species
Protection of wild areas:
Setting aside land -> NATURAL STATE
Ensuring land remains free from significant human interference
Helps maintain the habitat necessary for the survival of many species -> ecosystem function naturally
Eg: large areas of amazon rainforest -> protected -> preserve biodiversity
Active management:
Human intervention to maintain or restore habitats to desired conditions
-> controlled burning: used to manage grasslands, forests, promote growth of desired species
-> reforestation: planting trees to restore deforested
-> invasive species control: removing non-native species that threaten local biodiversity
What are factors that need to be considered when designing a protected area?
SURROUNDING LAND USE:
Agricultural areas: risk of pollution and habitat fragmentation
Urban areas: higher risk of human disturbance + invasive species -> education and recreation opportunities
DISTANCE FROM URBAN CENTERS:
Close proximity: easier for public access + education -> higher pressure from human activities
Remote location: reduced human disturbance but harder to manage + access
Effectiveness of conservation depends on:
-> Understanding of the target species
-> The size + shape of the conservation area
Factors help ensure ecosystem meets needs and maintains ecological processes
What things about the target species should be taken into consideration when creating effective conservation actions?
Habitat requirements:
Understand specific conditions needed to thrive
-> food, water, shelter and breeding sites
Home range:
Knowing the area size that individual animals or groups need to roam/find resources
Life cycle:
Understanding different life stages of the species + their habitat requirements
Threats:
Identifying natural + human threats to the species
-> predation, disease, habitat destruction and climate change
Factors for effective conservation: size of area
Large debate: SLOSS (single large or several small)
Generally bigger is better:
-> larger habitat and greater range
-> more resources and breeding sites
-> more niches
-> more migration
-> more biodiversity/species
-> established ecosystems
-> marge species can hide
Research show that larger the size -> greater the biodiversity
-> size should be big enough to maintain viable populations
Factors for effective conservation: edge effects and shape
EDGE EFFECTS:
Occurs at ecotones:
Where two habitats meet and there is a gradual change near the boundary
Edge of protected area -> change in abiotic factors
-> attract other species/exotic species
-> long thin reserves have a large edge effect
boundary is not a wall -> extends in
More fragmented area -> more proportionally affected
More edge:area ratio -> human disturbances, invasive species, variable microclimates
Minimizing edge effect by creating protected areas with simple shape or buffer zone
SHAPE: circle least edge effects
-> more complex = greater edge effect
Irregular shape follow natural features -> better connectivity and help ecological processes
Factors for effective conservation: corridors
CORRIDORS:
Used to connect isolated areas
Benefits:
Gene flow - emigration and immigration
Seasonal movement
Reduces collisions (cars + animals)
Reduces roads (act as barriers)
Additional habitat
Increase size of protected area
Disadvantages:
Allow invasive of exotic pest/diseases
Poachers -> easily move from one reserve to another
-> become barrier to species
Increased edge effects
Effectiveness of corridors depend on width/length/surrounding land use
Factors for effective conservation: buffer zone, pest prevention and proximity to potential human influences
BUFFER ZONE:
Areas around conservation areas
Contain habitats that may be managed or undisturbed
Minimize disturbance to core area
PEST PREVENTION:
Entire protected area -> may be fenced to prevent pst or invasive species from entering the area + impacting biodiversity
Not norm but can be effective
PROXIMITY TO POTENTIAL HUMAN INFLUENCES:
Human activities -> negative impact on biodiversity
Protected areas that are close to human settlements/infrastructure -> habitat destruction, pollution, hunting
Important to balance need for accessibility + potential human impact
What is rewilding?
An approach to conservation that involves letting nature take care of itself
-> step up from designated protected areas
-> repair and restore wild spaces (reduce invasive species, reintroduce native series, rehabilitation)
Human activities -> disrupt, damage and destabilize ecosystems
Conservation of ecosystem -> restore stability by restoring processes
Eg: bringing in native deer to aid in natural grazing -> limit wildlife’s, rewetting drained peatland, aid drought mitigation
