Transcript 4.3 Conservation of biodiversity

4.3 Conservation of biodiversity
Arguments for preserving species
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Ethical
Aesthetic
Genetic Resources
Commercial
Life Support/ecosystem support functions
Ethical
• Has intrinsic (essential) value
• Right to exist
• Human have stewardship over the Earth
Aesthetic (Visual)
• Recreational
• Spiritual
• Educational
Genetic Resource
• Diversity of gene
pool
• Ensures future
variety of life
• Needed for stable
ecosystems
(disease/natural
selection)
Commercial
• Food, Medicines, Goods, Resoureces
• Medicines ($100 billion/year)
• Ecotourism
Life Support
• Flow of material, energy in the biosphere
– Photosynthesis
– Pollination
– Soil formation and
maintenance
– Nutrient cycling
– Moderation of weather
extremes
– Purification of air and
water
UNEP
• United nations environmental program
• Provide leadership and partnerships worldwide
WWF
• World Wildlife Fund
• Independent conservation organization
• Draw attention to major issues and influence
policy and decision making
• 252 million dollars in 1995
Greenpeace
• Independent campaigning organization
• Non-violent, creative, confrontation
• Draw attention through issues by “bearing
witness”
Ecoterrorists
• Greatest terrorist threat
to our country
• Animal Liberation Front
(ALF)
• Earth Liberation Front
(ELF)
• Arsons, bombings,
vandalism and
harassment
Greenpeace protests
Key Terms
• Corridors- Strips of land that link reserves
together
• Ecotone- where two habitats meet near a
boundary
• Edge effect- occurs at ecotones because more
species are present from the two habitats
(increased resources)
Ecotone (marsh/mangrove)
Edge Effect: More
Species Can Be found
here at the ecotone!
Criteria used to Design protected areas
• Size:
– How large should area be?
– One large or many small areas?
– How many individuals must be protected?
– Reduce Edge Effect
• Shape: What is the best shape?
• Proximity: How close together?
• Corridors: Reserves Joined or separated?
Wildlife Reserves Design
CITES
• Conservation of International trade in
endangered species (CITES)
• Reduced trade in endangered species
– Appendix I: cannot be traded threatened with
extinction
– Appendix II: can be traded but with strict
regulation
– Appendix III: Included at request of country to
help regulate illegal exploitation
Species based approach to conservation
Strengths
Weaknesses
Focus on 1 at a time
Species do not exist in isolation
Media- High profile species
captures attention
Media doesn’t like unglamorous
organisms
More research
Research needs the context of
whole environment
Ignores community and
ecosystem biodiversity
Focus on species diversity
Breeding, reintroduction, zoo
programs
Only need key species
Doesn’t ensure protection of
habitat
How do you decide on key
species?