Transcript File
Warm-up 13APR2015 • Make a list of all the animal species you observed today. Chapter 18 Conservation of Biodiversity Biodiversity • A measure of diversity a specific ecosystem or the Global community – genetic variation, – ecosystem variation, or – species variation (number of species) – within a specific area or biome. The 6th Mass Extinction Extinction- when there are no longer any of the species in the world. We are currently losing approximately 50,000 species per year. Extinct in the last 100 years Genetic Diversity Scientists want to conserve genetic diversity so that the species can survive environmental change and inbreeding will not occur. Inbreeding occurs when individuals with similar genotypes, generally relatives, breed with each other. Inbreeding depresion Florida Panther Globally Species are declining Not just amphibians, or marine animals… ALL phyla of animals are declining. Categories of Endangerment Extinct- no known species exist today Threatened- species with a high risk of extinction in the future Near-threatened- species that are likely to become threatened in the future Least concern- species are widespread and abundant Challenges to studying the animals: • • • • • Time Money Access Politics Lack of background data • Why should we be concerned about inbreeding? • What are the reasons for the declining genetic diversity of domesticated plants and animals? • What are some of the challenges associated with understanding which species are threatened with extinction? HIPCO H- Habitat Loss I- Invasive Species P- Pollution C- Climate Change O- Overharvested Habitat Loss For most species the greatest cause of decline and extinction is habitat loss. Most habitat loss is due to human development Invasive Species Alien species (exotic species)- species that live outside their historical range. Invasive species- when alien species spread rapidly across large areas. Ex- Kudzu Vine, Zebra Mussel, Silver Carp Pollution Threats to biodiversity can come from toxic contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, acids, and oil spills. Climate Change The concern is how climate change will affect temperature and precipitation around the world, and how this will impact biodiversity. Overharvesting When individuals of a species are removed at a rate faster than the population can replace them. Ex- dodo, American bison, passenger pigeon. • How does habitat loss influence species extinction? • Compare and contrast the primary causes of biodiversity loss; which one do you think is most important? • Why are alien species a threat to biodiversity? Warm-Up 14APR2015 • What does H.I.P.C.O. stand for and how does each contribute to loss of biodiversity? Warm-Up 14APR2015 • What does H.I.P.C.O. stand for and how does each contribute to loss of biodiversity? H- Habitat Loss I- Invasive Species P- Pollution C- Climate Change O- Overharvested Conserving Biodiversity Two major approaches • Single Species Management • Ecosystem Management Both take into consideration the complex interactions that influence biodiversity Single Species Management • Focuses efforts on one species at a time • Great for that species • REactive management that is put in place once the organism is endangered/threatened Ecosystem Management • Focuses on conserving a variety of ecosystems and representative ecosystems • PROactive management • Conservation or preservation • Aldo Leopold Size, Shape and Connectedness When designing and managing protected areas we must consider how close to another area they should be, how large the area is, and the amount of edge habitat the area contains. Edge habitat- the area where two different communities come together, typically forming an abrupt transition. Ex. A grassy field meeting a forest. Biosphere Reserves Protected areas consisting of zones that vary in the amount of permissible human impact. • Size, shape, and connectivity is KEY in conservation • How does island biogeography help us decide how to protect species? • What are the different ways that reserves can be designed? • What is a biosphere reserve and how does it help preserve biodiversity? Lacey Act One of the earliest laws in the U.S. to control the trade of wildlife. First passed in 1900, the act prohibited the transport of illegally harvested game animals, primarily birds and mammals, across state lines. Also manages species (re)-introductions • Create a BRIEF (5-10 minute) presentation about one of the following policies for species management: What is it? What are the goals? Are they successful? What specifically are they regulating? And What would you add to the policy if it is not working? – Marine Mammal Protection Act – Red List – CITES – Convention on Biological Diversity – Endangered Species Act Warm-Up 15APR2015 • Compare and contrast single-species management and ecosystem management • What is “key” in considering conserving land for biodiversity? • Create a BRIEF (5-10 minute) presentation about one of the following policies for species management: What is it? What are the goals? Are they successful? What specifically are they regulating? And What would you add to the policy if it is not working? – Marine Mammal Protection Act – Red List – CITES – Convention on Biological Diversity – Endangered Species Act CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Developed in 1973 to control the international trade of threatened plants and animals. Today, CITIES is an international agreement between 175 countries of the world. Red List The IUCN keeps a list of threatened species, known as the red list. Each country has its own way to monitor and regulate the import and export of animals on the list. Conservation Legislation Marine Mammal Protection Act- prohibits the killing of all marine mammals in the U.S. and prohibits the import or export of any marine mammal body parts. Endangered Species Act Endangered Species Act- first passed in 1973, it authorizes the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to determine which species can be listed as threatened or endangered and prohibits the harming of these species. Trading these species is also illegal. The act also authorizes the government to purchase habitat that is critical to the species. Convention on Biological Diversity In 1992, nations came together and made a treaty to protect biodiversity. The treaty had three objectives: conserve biodiversity, sustainably use biodiversity, and equitably share the benefits that emerge from the commercial use of genetic resources such as pharmaceutical drugs. • What is the single-species approach to conserving biodiversity? • What makes the ESA controversial? Why is it important to legislate species protection? • In what way is biodiversity protection an international issue? Bees! • Global decline of bees all over the world • Diversity loss of bees Opportunity for conservation! Things to ponder while watching: • What are the social implications of the bee decline? What do we risk to loose? • What are the environmental implications? What complexities are there (parasites, pollination, etc.)? • What are the economic risks involved in bee decline? Warm-Up 17APR2015 • What have you learned about bees so far? Logistics: You will have 2 full days in class to complete the Exotic Species Poster