Week 7/8

Question 1

Umbrella species

Answer 1

• A species that covers a large geographic range and by protecting it you can protect a lot of species

Question 2

indicator species

Answer 2

• A species that reflects the biotic state of the environment

Question 3

Keystone species

Answer 3

• Disproportionately large impact on the ecosystem based on its biomass

Question 4

ecosystem engineer

Answer 4

• Modifies the ecosystem

Question 5

flagship species

Answer 5

A large charismatic species (usually a mammal) that can garner support for conservation

Question 6

Focal species

Answer 6

• Species used for any reason to understand, manage, or conserve ecosystem function

Question 7

surrogate species

Answer 7

species that serve as reliable and cost-effective measures of other variables that are difficult and expensive to measure directly.
for example:
* total species richness, diversity, and various ecosystem functions.

Question 8

What sources can be used to assist with this reconstruction (historical information) (be as complete as possible, including local examples)?

Answer 8

Data sources
* Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS) in the us
* Christmas Bird Count (CBC) – National audobon society – 1900
* B.C. Conservation Data Centre (CDC),

Museum records
* UBC beaty biodiversity
* Royal bc natural history museum

Literature
* Conservation groups

Question 9

What are some of the concerns/uncertainties about using historical data sources sources mentioned in question 2 (for restoration)? What should you consider when evaluating these data?

Answer 9

Concerns/uncertainties:
Not specific to restoration sites
* Even if species did occur, we don’t know: their status (breed, survive, viable offspring)

Things to consider?
* Age of data source
* Distance from data source
* Quantity and quality of data sources
i. One record vs. numerous records
ii. Records from brief time periods versus samples across time
iii. Actual specimens vs visual observations
iv. Completeness of data record
v. Reputation of data source

Question 10

Explain the conceptual model of ecosystem processes and functions, filters, and assemblages of species and how it is used to guide the restoration process. Include the benefits of post-restoration management activities (a good essay question for exams – be as complete as possible).

Answer 10

• How the system works
• Incorporates main processes and functions to maintain conservation

Question 11

What are some of the questions you need to ask before trying to restore a specific species (desired versus ultimate)?

Answer 11

• can you create/provide the critical limiting resources the species need (sinks/ecological traps)?
• immigration / emigration / dispersal - are they impossible?
• predators / competitors / exotic species – are their influences manageable? (QCI/Dawson’s caribou (Rangifer tarandus dawsoni))
• can you create a ‘source’ population or will it be a ‘sink’?
• are the abiotic components manageable/controllable?

Question 12

What factors should be considered to determine if restoration of a species is ‘feasible’? What are some of the concerns with the focal species approach?

Answer 12

• can you create/provide the critical limiting resources the species need (sinks/ecological traps)?
• immigration / emigration / dispersal - are they impossible?
• predators / competitors / exotic species – are their influences manageable? (QCI/Dawson’s caribou (Rangifer tarandus dawsoni))
• can you create a ‘source’ population or will it be a ‘sink’?
• are the abiotic components manageable/controllable?

Question 13

Why would habitat-based restoration plans often result in poor success?

Answer 13

• Habitatmay appear appropriate; however, an animal may be absent because the niche factors are lacking
• Thus, failure to account for niche factors in restoration planning often results in poor success for wildlife diversity and viability

Question 14

Why develop a conceptual model and what are some key aspects that should be considered?

Answer 14

• Ties links along chain leading to degraded system
• Identifies the different factors and the links between these factors
• Critical to this conceptual model is the incorporation of the ecological requirements of key animal species (i.e., filters, critical-limiting resources, stressors, the ‘mechanism’…).

Question 15

What are the key assumptions of using a focal species approach? (How to select species?)

Answer 15

Nested niche requirements
- animals respond in same way

Question 16

Why does the coarse-filter approach usually fail to protect a large number of native species?

Answer 16

• the CF approach does not necessarily meet the niche requirements of many species

Question 17

Explain the assumption of nested-niche requirements.

Answer 17

• lead to a close similarity in responses of different species to perturbations
• if species are not nested (Figure 6.2b), responses to perturbations could be largely dissimilar

Question 18

Why does the ‘focal species’ approach often fail (6 points)?

Answer 18

• focal species do not serve as surrogates for other species,
• we do not know enough about every species to correctly choose focal species,
• species seldom have overlapping niche requirements
• selection of species often shows high social bias (i.e., species of interest to the public such as large predators),
• the assumption that threatening processes are independent is false,
• empirical testing of the response of species to management actions is minimal,