Principles of Conservation Biology

BIOL 4160

What is Conservation Biology?

Guiding principles

Preservation of BiodiversityPrevent untimely extinctionsMaintain ecological complexityEvolution should continueBiodiversity has intrinsic value

GoalsDocument the range of biodiversity on Earth

Investigate human impacts on species, genetic variation, and ecosystems

Develop practical approaches to prevent extinctions, maintain genetic diversity, and protect and restore biological communities and ecosystem functions

Conservation Biology, Conservation Biology, Environmentalism, Environmentalism,

Social JusticeSocial Justice

What is the biggest issue in conservation biology today?

Population Growth

The power of Conservation

Once limited to less than 30,000 individuals (fewer than the number of remaining orangutans today!), wild turkeys have rebounded to an estimated 7 million individuals.

http://blog.nature.org/science/2013/11/26/wild-turkey-restoration-the-greatest-conservation-success-story/

Wild Turkey Turnaround

History of Conservation Biology

The European Approach

Which led to...extinction

Passenger Pigeon

Carolina Parakeet

The seeds of early European conservationism

18th-19th centuries – colonial powers began implementing protections

1769 Mauritius – 25% landholdings preserved

1852 India – forest protections

Early North American Conservation

Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

“Every creature is better alive than dead, men and moose and pine trees, and he who understands it aright will rather preserve its life than destroy it. “Wrote Walden in 1854; believed in the necessity of experiencing Nature

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

“Nature always wears the colors of the spirit.”Influential Philosopher; nature was a temple in which people could interact with the spiritual realm, wrote Nature

Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

“Every creature is better alive than dead, men and moose and pine trees, and he who understands it aright will rather preserve its life than destroy it. “Wrote Walden in 1854; believed in the necessity of experiencing Nature

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

“Nature hates calculators.”

Influential Philosopher; nature was a temple in which people could interact with the spiritual realm

John Muir (1838-1914)

“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.“Preservationist ethic; believed in the intrinsic value of nature. Founded the Sierra Club. “Father of the National Parks”

http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/watch-video/#645

Preservationist Ethic

The Resource Conservation Ethic

“the greatest good of the greatest number for the longest time”

Gifford Pinchot (1865-1946)

The Resource Conservation Ethic

The land ethic

Aldo Leopold (1887-1984)

Humankind is a part of nature – we require both preservation and management

Most important: maintain the health of natural ecosystems and processes

Other early pioneers

Ellen Swallow Richards (1842-1911)

Connections between water quality and sewage/industrial wastes. Led to first water quality standards and eventually modern sewage treatment

Written in 1962; raised awareness of the role of pesticides, chemicals and bird declines

The birth of Conservation Biology

Founded in 1985 by eminent scientists

Mission: To advance the science and practice of conserving the Earth's biological diversity.

Some successesNational and International Government action

o Endangered Species Acto Red Lists in the EUo National Parks, protected areaso Treatieso Regulations (CITES)

$$$ - lots of funding for conservation biology

Science central to decision making for many conservation organizations (e.g., Nature Conservancy)

Some successesCB’s goals part of scientific activities and policiesIncreased media coverage

More courses like this!

The SCB is huge – over 10,000 members in 120 countries