3.3: Conservation And Regeneration Flashcards
(7 cards)
Flagship species: Mountain gorilla
Found in Virunga mountains
- Rwanda, Uganda, DRC
Population faced threats from habitat destruction, poaching, human conflict
Focus conservation of mountain gorilla + their habitat -> conservation organization can protect other plant/animals in same ecosystem
Mixed conservation approach: Chengdu research base of giant panda breeding
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding:
China
Example of mixed conservation approach
OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGIES:
Captive breeding: breeding program to increase population
Habitat restoration: restoring/expanding bamboo forests
Public education/awareness: tours, programs, exhibitions -> support for conservation
Research and collaboration: conducting research on panda biology + collaborating with international organization
FACILITIES:
Breeding centers: area for breeding + raising cubs
Veterinary hospital: medical care for pandas
Enclosure and habitats: naturalistic spaces for pandas to live/play
Research labs: equipped for scientific research on panda conservation
ACHIEVEMENTS:
Increased panda population: successful breeding program -> raise number of giants pandas
Genetic diversity: genetic diversity maintained via careful breeding
Habitat protection: key role in restoring/protection panda habitats
Wider ecosystem and species conservation: focus on flagship -> base to protect broader ecosystem/other species
Habitat conservation strategies: Active management in the Norfolk Broads, UK
Location: Norfolk, England
Habitat type: wetlands (rivers, broads, fens, marshes)
Biodiversity: Norfolk broads -> home to wide variety of
-> rare/endangered plants, birds, insects
ACTIVE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES:
Water level control: ensure water levels remain suitable for organisms
-> sluices + pumps used to manage water levels -> prevent flood/too dry
Reed cutting: preventing wetlands from becoming overgrown, maintain open water areas (essential for certain species)
Wildlife monitoring: regular surveys to monitor populations
-> also removal of non-native species
SURROUNDING LAND USE:
Mainly agricultural -> careful management to prevent pollution + sustainable water use
Habitat conservation strategies: ecosanctuary with pest-exclusion fencing: Zealandia, New Zealand
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
Habitat type: forest and scrubland
225 hectares area
CONSERVATION STRATEGIES:
Pest-exclusion fencing: predator-proof fence around sanctuary-> keep out invasive species (rats, stoats, possums)
-> major threat to native species
Reintroducing native species: eg little spotted kiwi and tuatara reintroduced
-> help boost populations that have declined (due to predation, invasive species)
SURROUNDING LAND USE:
Sanctuary near urban area but isolated by fence
-> safe habitat for native wildlife
Protected area case study: Kruger National Park
Description
Protection and conservation
DESCRIPTION:
Border between South Africa and Mozambique
Grassland-savanna -> many sub-ecosystems
-> range allows for different animals to thrive
-> many grass and plants -> range and adaptability
-> adapted to drought and climate (winter) and high rainfall (summer)
-> shelter from wind + predators
Established May 31, 1926
-> European farmers decreased amount game (hunting and trading)
-> combat rapid destruction of wildlife
Aims of the park:
To protect wide variety of ecosystem, flora, fauna, endangered
Promote eco-tourism -> revenue without harming environment (conservation, local economies)
Cultural heritage protection
Local communities -> education + job
Living laboratory -> scientific research
PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION:
SAN parks - legally protected but South African government
Animals -> prohibit hunting, poaching and exploitation, enables enforcement by rangers
Humans -> restrict development
Strategies:
Knowledge of species
Buffer zone (3 km)
Corridors (Kruger and Zinave)
Size (large space of animals/plants)
Alien biota (keep invasive/alien species in check, prevent further invasion)
Social projects (jobs)
Protected area case study: Kruger National Park
Threats from human activities
TOURISM:
Economic:
KNP large + lots of things to do -> popular
Improve funding -> increase commercialization, allow private operation
-> concerns: tourism distraction from other goals, funding misused
Ecological:
Over-tourism -> habitat destruction, altered migration patterns
INSUFFICIENT FUNDS:
Economic:
Tourism -> crucial from funding research
COVID 19 -> tourism dropped -> not enough funding
- 2020: gov. Cut funding by 66%
CORRUPTION AND MISMANAGEMENT:
Socio-political:
Global initiative report: two ranger arrested in 2016 (rhino poaching)
2023: 40% of KNP law enforment corruption, 60% of other employees assisted poachers
Weak government oversight
POACHING:
Economic:
Many organized crime circles -> illegal animal poaching
Profit enter criminal networks -> more illegal activites committed
Decreased reputation of South Africa -> decline in funds
Ecological:
Lead to decline in keystone species
Decrease in biodiversity, genetic diversity, degradation/fragmentation of habitat
BORDER SECURITY ISSUES:
Socio-political:
Issues with cross border poaching
Massingir district in Mozambique -> notorious hub for poachers
90% of rhinos poached in KNP -> Mozambican insurgents via border
THREATS WITH BIOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE:
Poaching -> keystones species -> cascading effect
Urbanization -> increase habitat fragmentation, conflicts with environment
Climate change -> change rainfall, water availability -> migration or extinction
Tourism -> habitat degradation, pollution -> decrease resilience
Habitat fragmentaiton -> prevent migration, decrease gene pool -> increase vulnerability
Invasive species -> outcompete native species -> destroy structure
Protected area case study: Kruger National Park
Evaluation and future
LEVEL OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
1898-1950s:
Little involvement -> intentional exclusion of indigenous communities
1990s (post Apartheid):
Government begin to rethink local community invovlement -> land returned -> grow trust between the two groups
2000s-present:
Partnerships to encourage sustainable livelihoods + conservation
Some local communities -> poverty -> park hinder their economic success
=> needs have to align with conservation
RESEARCH TO HELP WITH PROTECTION:
Extent of organized crime/illegal poaching
Endangered/most poached species
Skukuza research station - research Savanna ecology + adaptive management
-> emerging tech in biodiversity monitoring
-> consequences of urbanization on species interaction
Savanna research unit - mange research and conservation programs in many national parks
TYPES OF FUNDING:
Government funding: 2020 ZAR 1 billion
Public-private partnerships: SANParks -> 60 PPP
-> accommodations, restaurants, activites
-> pre-Covid relied on gov for <20% -> effective
International organization: UNDP, IFC
Charities and NGOs: preach parks foundation, WWF-SA, international rhino foundation
Tourism revenue: visitors fees (higher than average)
Ecotourism
SUCCESS IN MEETING AIMS:
1. Protect variety of ecosystem, flora, fauna, endangered:
-> anti-poaching measures: 2023 37% decrease
-> support African wild dog population
2. Promote eco-tourism:
-> 2023: wildlife tourist spend ZAR 31,200/ person - x3 national average tourist expenditure
3. Cultural and heritage protection:
-> protected over 250 San rock art sites
4. Local communities support:
-> Education and training (good work foundation)
-> 10,150 jobs
5. Improving scientific research:
-> Water conservation efforts
-> Monitor biodiversity (wildlife surveys)
FUTURE OUTLOOK:
Strengthen anti-poaching efforts:
-> Q1 of 2025 -> 65+ rhinos killed in national parks
-> Surveillance tech
-> Ranger patrols
-> Dehorning
Addressing climate change:
-> Climate change causes -> prolonged droughts, habitat degradation
-> Aim to restore ecosystems (remove insavie species, rehabilitated overgrazed land)
-> Manage water sources
Empower local communities:
-> Collaboration with African wildlife foundation -> more education and jobs
-> educate on sustainable resource management
