Chapter 18: conservation of biodiversity

Chapter 18: conservation of biodiversitySarah Blythe and Christina Reilly

Introduction: Modern conservation legaciesDecreasing biodiversity Sixth mass extinctionCausesHuman activity: habitat destruction, overharvestingResponseInterest in conserving biodiversityPolitical effortGrant: Yellowstone National ParkObama: Alaskan coastline critical habitatBush: Hawaiian marine habitats2Sixth mass extinction Why should we care?Instrumental and Intrinsic valuesExtinctionOccurs when last member of a species dies50,000 extinction per year (.5% of worlds species)First since humans have existedShort amount of timeGlobal declines in genetic diversity of wild organismsConserving Genetic DiversityLow population diversityNot as well suited to changeProne to inbreeding depressionFlorida Panther, cheetah Mutations more likely to spread

Global declines in the genetic diversity of livestock cropsMajority: Mammals and BirdsDonkeys, Buffalo, Cattle, Goats, Horses, Pigs, Sheep, Chicken, Ducks, Geese, TurkeyTrying to breed same traits for every animal, loss of genetic diversityEndangeredSerious risk of extinction80% of domesticated animals either declining or facing extinctionPlanting fewer varieties of crops leads to crop loss if environment changes1970s- fungus kills half of corn fields in southern USSolutionsSeed Storage Facilities (Svalbard Global Seed Vault)5Global declines in species diversityInternational Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)ClassificationsData deficientExtinctThreatenedNear-threatenedLeast ConcernEstimated 10 million species on earthGlobal declines in ecosystem functionEcosystems provide valuable servicesLumber, food crops, prescription drugs Pollinate crops, filter drinking water Decline in species diversity associated with decline in ecosystems abilities to functionMillennium Ecosystem Assessment2006- 15 of 24 ecosystem functions in declineDeclining biodiversity has many causesCausesHabitat lossIntrusion of alien speciesOverharvestingPollutionClimate Change

Habitat lossCausesHuman developmentDeforestationSpecies with narrow range of toleranceMore prone to population declinesStats70% woodland/shrubland ecosystem bordering Mediterranean Sea has been lost50% grassland habitats lost30% desert habitats lostLess than half of wetlands that existed in 1600sOnly 10% live coral (2002)Smaller habitatLess genetic diversityMore interactions with predators Restrict movement of migratory species

Alien speciesNative specieslive in historical range for thousands to millions of yearsAlien/Exotic Specieslive outside historical range Animals, plants, or pathogensCauses Accidental MovementShipping containers (Madagascar) Not all are threat to biodiversityInvasive speciesWhen alien species rapidly spread across large areasNo natural enemies SolutionsInspection of imported goodsProhibition of untreated wooden packing crates

OverharvestingOverharvestingIndividuals removed faster than can be replacedHunting, fishing, and poachingBison, passenger pigeon, dodoRegulations Restrict hunting and fishing of game animals at certain times of yearLimit number of animals to be harvestedStill illegal poaching of large fur animals

plant and animal tradeTrade is serious threat to ability to persist in nature RegulationLacey Act 1900- prohibited transport of illegally harvested animals across state linesConvention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)IUCN

pollutionToxic ContaminantsPesticides, heavy metals, oil spills, and acidsBPEndocrine DestructionPrevent or inhibit reproduction, but not lethalEutrophicationAlgal bloomsThermal PollutionClimate change Affects temperature and precipitationSome species not able to adapt to new conditionsThe conservation of biodiversity often focuses on single species One species at a timeWhen species is threatened or endangeredTry to improve conditions where it existsAdditional habitatReduce presence of contaminantsCaptive Breeding (zoos)Bred with intention of returning species to wildConservation LegislationMarine Mammal Protection act 1972Prohibits killing of all marine mammals in USProhibits import/export of marine mammal body parts Endangered Species act 1973Prohibits harming of threatened/endangered speciesAllows government to purchase habitat critical to conservation of threatened/endangered speciesDevelop recovery plans to increase population Controversy- restricts human activities in these areas; politicians try to weaken actThe convention on biological diversity1992- International treaty to help protect biodiversityObjectivesConserve biodiversitySustainably use biodiversity Share benefits of commercial use of genetic resourcesIdentified Trends (2002-2010)One quarter of plant species threatened with extinctionNatural habitats are smaller and more fragmented Ecological footprint of humans has increasedGenetic diversity of crops and livestock still declining The conservation of biodiversity sometimes focuses on protecting entire ecosystemsReasons for ConservationAesthetic beautyCommunities of organisms Amount of protected land has dramatically increased since 1960Factors to take into considerationSize ShapeEdge habitat: two different communities come togetherConnectednessBiosphere reservesProtected areas with of zones that vary in amount of human impactPreserves biodiversity without excluding all human activity464 in world

Working towards sustainabilityPreserving biodiversity is expensiveIndirect costs (externalities) Income loss from not using land/resourcesCost of maintaining protected area Thomas Lovejoy (WWF)Protect large areas of land & improve economic conditions of developing countriesDebtor nations can use position to motivate investment in biodiversity conservation Debt transferred to environmental organizations Helps protects countrys biodiversityConservation efforts in 3 main areas of landPurchase of land Prevention of illegal loggingFuture grants to protect biodiversity