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What is conservation biology?

� Micheal Soulé: Science of scarcity− Endangered species

− Endangered populations

− Genetic diversity

− Endangered habitats (communities)

− Endangered ecosystem services� Pollination

� Flood protection

� Carbon sequestration

− Enhanced global warming/pollution

What is conservation biology

Basic orTheoretical

Ecology

ConservationBiology

Application

New Knowledge

Basic orTheoretical

Ecology

ConservationBiology

Application

New Knowledge

Before

Now

What is conservation biology?

Genetics-Evolution

Sociology/Economics

Ecology-Population Biology

Ethics

Example

Why even give a

� Value of nature− Utilitarian

� Nature only has value if useful

− Intrinsic � Nature has its own value

� Judeo-Christian Perspective− Utilitarian

� Traditional and majority view

− Intrinsic� Stewardship

Conservation Ethics

� Transcendental Ethic− Humans need wild places

− “good for the soul”

� Resource Conservation− Nature can “do it all”

− Provide natural resources, outdoor sports, place to hang

� Evolutionary-Ecological Ethic− Nature is a functioning whole

− Aldo Leopold

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What conservation biology is not

� Total preservation

� Animal rights, tree-hugging

� Game management

Current Hot Issues

� Enhanced Global Warming

� Sustainability

� Urban Sprawl

� Pollution (pharmaceuticals, flame retardants)− Hg, PCB’s

� Ecosystem services

� Fragmentation

Habitat Fragmentation

� Habitat fragmentation versus habitat loss

Habitat Fragmentation

� Theoretical backing− Island Biogeographic Theory

− Robert MacArthur and Edwin O. Wilson

Island Biogeographic Theory Island Biogeography

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Island Biogeographic Theory Island Biogeography

Island Biogeography Island Biography

Island Biogeography Island Biogeography

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Islands vs. Fragments Conservation Policy and Fragmentation

� Bigger is better− Larger populations

� Rounder is better− Corners compound edge effects

� Less fragmented is better− Landscape scale

� More friendly matrix is better− Semiforested landscape > spp. than urban

� Connected is better− Immigration keeps sites occupied