CONSERVATION Flashcards
examples of species that went extinct because for us
Caribbean Monk Seal was the only known seal which was native to the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico
- 2008 officially declared extinct
- hunted for their oil + slaughtered by fishermen, who regarded the animals as competitors
what platform is used to asses the threat level of species
International Union for Conservation
of Nature (IUCN)
top threat to biodiversity today
habitat loss - occurs commonly through habitat fragmentation
how does habitat loos through fragmentation effect species
– Human activities subdivide once-continuous habitat into small fragments (ecological islands)
– Individual populations are smaller and less connected
– Migration pathways get blocked
– Species that need large breeding or hunting areas cannot persist
where does the majority of marine debris come from
land based activities like beach trips, recreation,
picnics, and others
why is over harvesting a threat to species
Species with large bodies, slow population
growth rates are particularly vulnerable to
human exploitation
how do vessels impact sea turtles
non-lethal
- impact energy expenditure,
➢cause changes in foraging activities,
➢result in displacement,
➢affect growth rates and reproductive
output
lethal:
- killed or severely injured from the collision with a
vessel
How does vessel presence impact sea turtle energy
expenditure, foraging activities and spatial distribution
- Spatial distribution: go to areas that avoid vessel location
- ## energy expenditure: Faster and more frequent movements to get away from vessels
how are Non-native invasive species intoduced
Through commerce and travel humans have redistributed tens of thousands of species
Ecological impacts in response to climate change
Species distribution (expected to move upwards in altitude or towards the poles)
6 Strategies for Conserving Biodiversity
1) Big is better than small
- supports more species
2) Connected is better than unconnected
- allows for genetic exchange + transport of plants by animals
3) Near is better than far
- reestablishment requires immigrants from a nearby similar habitat
4) Buffers matter
- Land use around a preserve’s edges has a large effect e.g. noise + pollution can enter without it
5) Accommodate landscape change
6) Manage people
how can we deal with the threat of loss of genetic diversity due to populations becoming too small
- Captive breeding can selectively mate genetically
different males and females - Eventually animals are reintroduced to the wild
U.S. Policies for Conserving Biodiversity
National parks and wilderness areas
Wilderness Act
Lacey Act
Marine Mammal Protection Act
Endangered Species Act
Conservation on private land
difference between national park and national forest
– National Park = preservation of pristine areas
– National Forest = “Multiple Use”
International Policies for Conserving Biodiversity
needed due to several species use multiple parts of the world and their habitat
- International Convention for the Regulation of
Whaling
- Economic Incentives for Conservation
