Landscapes - Conservation Flashcards
What is the biodiversity crisis?
The high rate of biodiversity loss on a global scale caused by human activities
How is biodiversity governed in Canada?
Species at risk list formulated by COSEWIC.
Provincial and National Parks… some legislation by government
What are the major threats to biodiversity?
Climate change, habitat conversion, overharvest, pollution, introduction of alien species
Describe some conservation concepts
Conservationists seek to provide practical approaches to maintaining/increasing biodiversity by minimizing human impacts on nature
How do humans cause problems with nature?
Overharvest, over extraction, human impacts (ex. pollution, land conversion…)
What is the natural world?
Depends who you ask, many different values and ideas.
Some say it is untouched pristine wilderness
Why is biodiversity important?
Utilitarian - provides benefits to people
Intrinsic - good for its own sake, cultural and spiritual
What is the current biodiversity crisis?
It is global increase in extinction rates due to human activities
Evolutionary radiation
Periods of intense species proliferation (adaptation) to fill empty niches
Characteristics of the Anthropocene
Extinction rates are higher
Species at risk are increasing rapidly
Natural communities are also at risk
Describe the extinction vortex
Human activities shrink populations because of habitat fragmentation, pollution, overharvest, and climate change. These small populations are now unstable and inbreeding. Less genetic diversity means it is more difficult to adapt to environmental changes… extinction.
Habitat conversion
Wilderness converted to human habitats
Alien species
Introduced species that alter native interactions, introduce disease, and prey on native species
Overharvest
Unsustainable use for profit
Unknown impacts because population dynamics, interactions, and other effects are not understood or ignored
What does the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) do?
COSEWIC categorizes species as to whether they are extinct, extirpated, endangered, threatened, of special concern, or data deficient. It then presents this information to a federal minister who will approve the Species At Risk list. A recovery plan may or may not be put into place.
Process: Candidate list, status report, reccomendation
Name some disciplines that are involved in conservation biology
Conservation genetics, population biology, behavioural ecology, landscape ecology, functional ecology, ecological economics, environmental sociology/psychology
Rarity
Low likelihood of encountering a species
Minimum viable population (MVP)
The smallest population size needed to sustain a population over a certain time period
Minimum viable area (MVA)
The smallest area of suitable habitat needed to sustain a population over time
Island biography theory
Large islands have more species and lower extinction
Distant islands have fewer immigrants of new species
Keystone species
Disproportionately large impact on ecosystem structure/function
Umbrella species
Wide-ranging spp. with complex habitat needs. Conservation of umbrella species leads to conservation of other species
Flagship species
Cultural or advertising significance
Biodiversity hotspots
Support high density of biodiversity
High endemism
Usually tropical habitats
Limitations and benefits of protected areas
Limitations:
Competing interests
Require networks
Lots of $ to establish & maintain
Benefits:
Conservation
Education
Culture
Design considerations of protected areas
Single large or several small (SLOSS)… consider edge effects and movement between patches
Name some management challenges (3) and examples
Internal stressors: facilities within, poaching
Surrounding area: forestry activity increases edge,
exterior degradation, loss of connectivity
Regional stressors: acid rain, pollution, climate change
