Introduction To Conservation

Question 1

What is conservation biology?

Answer 1

The application of biological science to address the problems of species, communities and ecosystems perturbed by humans

Question 2

What is conservation science?

Answer 2

Is the protection of biodiversity and ecosystems for the benefit of humans as well as the environment

Question 3

What proportion of the the worlds species may face extinction?

Answer 3

1/4

Question 4

What are the normative postulates of conservation biology?

Answer 4

1. High diversity of organisms is good
2. Ecological complexity is good
3. Evolution is good

Question 5

What is SLOSS

Answer 5

Single Large or Several Small

Which should we use to minimise loss of biodiversity in a human modified area

Question 6

What is MVP/PVA/MVA

Answer 6

The smallest number of individuals required for an isolated population to persists at a predefined probability (95%) for a predefined time (100 years).

Question 7

What is CITES, what does it mean

Answer 7

the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora
An international agreement between governments, to ensure trade of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival

Question 8

What are the normative postulates of conservation science

Answer 8

1. Human well-being is integral to the conservation concept
2. Jointly maximise the benefits to people and biodiversity trough the application of social and natural sciences
3. It is still a crisis discipline but evidence based

Question 9

What is ‘intrinsic’ and ‘instrumental’ value of nature

Answer 9

• intrinsic - nature should be protected for its own sake

- instrumental - we must save nature to help ourselves

Question 10

What are the Sala’s classic biodiversity scenarios

Answer 10

That the dominant drivers of biodiversity loss differ between geographic regions

Question 11

What is the anthropocene

Answer 11

The period of time marking humans profound influence on the global environment, including land surface and atmosphere, from 1610-1964

Question 12

Example of a success story

Answer 12

The recovery of the southern white rhino.

Considered extinct in 1800, small population found in SA, now more than 20,000

Question 13

What is happening with the golden lion tamarin

Answer 13

Was critically endangered 1996-2000, no only endangered, wild populations augmented with captive bred individuals

Question 14

Give an example of a failed conservation effort

Answer 14

The northern white rhino

Critically endangered and possibly extinct in wild, were 30 between 1980-2003

Question 15

What has happened to the Bornean orang utan

Answer 15

Lost 50% of population over last 60 years, through habitat loss and poaching

Question 16

How has public priority of environment over business changed

Answer 16

1984 61%

Now 36%

Question 17

How has energy use per capita changed since 1985

Answer 17

1985 - 1420kg of oil

Now - ~1800kg

Question 18

What are conservation sciences new functional postulates

Answer 18

1. Pristine nature, untouched by human influences does not exist
2. The fate of nature and that of people and deeply intertwined
3. Nature can be surprisingly resilient
4. Humans can avoid the ‘tragedy of the commons’
5. Local conservation efforts are deeply connected to global forces

Question 19

What is the purpose of the Nature Capital Project

Answer 19

Quantifying nature’s economic value

Question 20

What does ESPA stand for

Answer 20

Ecosystem services for poverty alleviation

Question 21

Give an example of real world conservation to help poverty

Answer 21

CHIESA, in Africa funded by the Finnish government