Transcript What is CONSERVATION BIOLOGY?

Reptile Conservation
I. Threatened Species
II. Conservation Concerns
III. What can I do?
I. Threatened species
• Biodiversity Crisis – reptiles affected too!
• http://www.iucnredlist.org/info/tables/table3
a.html
• http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/searchbasic.php
• http://www.dfg.ca.gov/whdab/pdfs/TEAnim
als.pdf
Reasons for species decline
Habitat
destruction:
#1 cause for
the decline in
species
diversity
1) Habitat destruction
a) Deforestation of
tropical forests
b) Destruction of coral
reef ecosystems
c) Wetland alteration for
development
d) Temperate regions
altered for agriculture
e) Habitat fragmentation
Anthropogenic eutrophication
Directly Impacts aquatic turtle, alligator, snake populations
• Nutrients released, triggering
chain of events
• Increase in primary producers
• Reduction of light
• Reduction of oxygen
• Fish kill of some species
Habitat Fragmentation
2) Traffic Mortality – Roadkill!
Matthew Aresco, a 4th year PhD student in
the Department of Biological Science at
Florida State University built a temporary
fence to divert turtles (and other wildlife, >
41 species) away from the road and into a
culvert that joined the two lakes. Over the
past 2.5 years he has monitored the
temporary fence at least twice per day and
maintained it at his personal expense (at
least $2000 out-of-pocket).
On November 15, 2004, the CRTPA
(includes County and City
Commissioners) voted unanimously to
approve the Lake Jackson Ecopassage
Feasibility Study: Existing Conditions
Technical Memorandum
http://www.lakejacksonturtles.org/#specieslist
3) Over-harvesting
The by-catch problem:
•
4) Exotic species
• Argentine ants –
linked to decline in
coastal Horned
lizards
5) Pollution
• Biomagnification
• There is abundant evidence
that some carnivores at the
ends of longer food chains
(crocodiles, alligators,
snakes) suffered serious
declines in fecundity and
hence in population size
because of this phenomenon
6) Pet trade
7) Persecution
http://www.rattlesnakeroundup.com/index.html
III. What can I do?
1)
2)
3)
4)
Adopt a conservation ethic
Work
Educate
Educate yourself, family & friends about
the importance of having better “green”
life choices