Unit IV: Evolution and BiodiversityChapter 18: Conservation of Biodiversity

I. Global Declines in Genetic Diversity of Crops and Livestock

▪ Three Levels of Extinction

Local Extinction-not found in parts of range/area it once inhabited but is found other places

Ecological Extinction-numbers so low it can no longer fulfill niche in communities where it is found

Biological Extinction-gone!

▪ Paths to Extinction

1. Endangered-so few individuals that the specie could soon become extinct over all or most of its natural range; they may soon disappear

2. Threatened-still abundant in natural range but many populations showing a decline

Loss of Agricultural Biodiversity

Loss of Crop Diversity:

▪ Gene /Seed Banks: preserve genetic info and seeds in cool, low-humidity environs

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=3960837n&tag=related;photovideo

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/1

1/colbert-mocks-glenn-becks_n_494651.html

Loss of Livestock Diversity

Estimating Extinction Rates

▪ Difficult because so slow hard to document, we have not id-ed most species and little known about the ecological roles of those species or we have no reliable data to assess their status

▪ Of the estimated 10 million

Use mathematical models to estimate risk

Background Extinction: species disappear at low levels

Mass Extinctions: many species in a short period of time.

Global Declines in Species Diversity

Invasive / Alien/Non-Native Species

▪ Native Species: live in their historic range-where they have lived for thousands-millions of years

▪ Alien: Live outside historic range

▪ Trade, transport and agriculture are three of the more common routes, or “pathways,” through which invasive species arrive.o Some species moved accidentally , some intentionally

▪ Asian Carp

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5869154n

Kudzu

Zebra Mussels▪ feed by drawing water and filtering out most of the

suspended microscopic plants and animals

▪ can lead to increased water clarity and a depleted food supply for other aquatic organisms, including fish.

▪ higher light penetration fosters growth of rooted aquatic plants which, although creating more habitat for small fish, may inhibit the larger, predatory fish from finding their food.

▪ Zebra mussel infestations may also promote the growth of blue-green algae, since they avoid consuming this type of algae but not others.

▪ Zebra mussels attach to the shells of native mussels in great masses, effectively smothering them

▪ http://www.nwf.org/What-We-Do/Protect-Wildlife/Invasive-Species/Ballast-Water.aspx

Population, Pollution and Climate Change

▪ Pollution: DDT

▪ Population: Bald Eagle: saved eagle but shortage of fish mean they eat baby cormorant chicks

▪ Climate Change: Cannot adapt fast enough; Polar Bear

Overexploitation: Hunting, Fishing, Illegally killing, capturing and selling wild species

III. Why Preserve Species?

▪ Ecosystem Services/ Instrumental Value: Pollination, pest control, nutrient cycling, filter water, food crops, lumber, fuel wood, paper, medicine (bioprospecting), ecotourism

▪ BEES: Colony Collapse Disorder

▪ Intrinsic Value: religious and philosophical beliefs that we have a moral obligation to preserve species

▪ It could take 5-10 million years to re-gain biodiversity.

Fig. 11-13, p. 236

IV. Solutions: Protecting Wild Species-Individual Species Approach

Lacey Act: 1900/ prohibited transport of illegally harvested game animals across state lines

CITES: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. 1973; 175 countries. Red List (threatened species)that cannot be commercially traded as live specimens or for their parts or products and restricts trade on thousands of plants and animal. Hard to enforce; much corruption.

Endangered Species Act (ESA): 1973 US law; one of the world’s most far-reaching and controversial environmental laws.

▪ Many amendments

▪ Designed to id and protect ES

▪ USFWS and NMFS id and list plant and animal species

▪ Any decision to add or remove a species must be based on biological factors alone, not economic or political.

▪ Forbids federal agencies to carry out or fund a project that would jeopardize the a species or their habitat

▪ Can not buy or sell product made from species; can not hunt , kill, collect or injure

▪ USFWS and NMFS are suppose to prepare a plan / designate habitat to help each species recover

IV. Solutions: Protecting Wild Species-Ecosystem Approach

▪ Encouraging Private Land Owners

Habitat Conservation Plans: allow landowners/developers to destroy habitat if they do something in exchange, i.e. relocate species or buying habitat elsewhere

Safe Harbor Agreement: Landowners get financial and technical assistance to restore, improve or maintain habitat

Habitat Corridors: : A is a strip of land that aids in the movement of species between disconnected areas of their natural habitat.

Sanctuary Approach:

544 Wildlife refugees: many of which are wetland sanctuaries for migratory waterfowl or habitat for specific endangered species. Have been threatened by invasives and human activities like hunting and atv.

Zoos and Aquariums: captive breeding, egg pulling, DNA analysis for mating

Reconciliation Ecology: is the science of inventing, establishing and maintaining new habitats to conserve species diversity in places where people live, work or play; protecting wilderness, though necessary, is not enough to preserve biodiversity

Biosphere Reserves: UNESCO

Reintroduction of Wolves in Yellowstone