conservation bri bowerman and emma johnson. intro to conservation what is conservation? ...
TRANSCRIPT
INTRO TO CONSERVATION What is conservation?
preservation, protection, or restoration of the natural environment, natural ecosystems, vegetation, and wildlife.
Who is involved in conservation? Why are species declining?
Climate change Pollution Urbanization Human exploitation Disease Invasive species
CLIMATE CHANGEGlobal Impacts Effects on Species Increase in global
average temperatures Melting of ice caps /
rising sea levels Shifting habitat ranges Increased frequency and
strength of natural disasters
Increase or decrease of species ranges Migration patterns Adaptability Predator / prey relationships
Loss of habitat completely
Shifting breeding patterns
POLLUTION Water pollution
Pesticides Dump sites - nuclear Household chemicals Indicator species
Air pollution Fossil fuels Acid rain
Trash Physical debris impacts
URBANIZATION
Changes Effect on Species Development (roads,
buildings) Fewer trees Pollution Erosion Less habitat diversity Humans
Less suitable habitat and breeding grounds
Increased flashiness Habitat fragmentation
and isolation
DISEASE
Propagated by pet trade and invasive species Chytrid Mammal disease Communicable between animals and humans
INVASIVE SPECIES
Brought from place to place by humans Characteristics of a successful invasive species
Adaptable to many environment Competitive Few natural predators
Kudzu in the US Burmese pythons in Florida Cane toads in Australia
AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES
Amphibians and reptiles are declining because of all of these factors, including enigmatic declines
43% of amphibian species are endangered 1 in 5 reptile species are endangered Hard to tell severity of impact-animals are secretive,
don’t notice declines until the animals are almost gone
WHY IS CONSERVATION IMPORTANT? Protecting biodiversity Preserving balance of nature Sustainable use Every species has the right to live We have a duty to protect other species
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Don’t keep the animals you find in the wild as pets Don’t release exotic animals into a non-native habitat Try to recycle, use less electricity, and other practices to
decrease amount of pollution