Landscapes - Conservation

Question 1

What is the biodiversity crisis?

Answer 1

The high rate of biodiversity loss on a global scale caused by human activities

Question 2

How is biodiversity governed in Canada?

Answer 2

Species at risk list formulated by COSEWIC.
Provincial and National Parks… some legislation by government

Question 3

What are the major threats to biodiversity?

Answer 3

Climate change, habitat conversion, overharvest, pollution, introduction of alien species

Question 4

Describe some conservation concepts

Answer 4

Conservationists seek to provide practical approaches to maintaining/increasing biodiversity by minimizing human impacts on nature

Question 5

How do humans cause problems with nature?

Answer 5

Overharvest, over extraction, human impacts (ex. pollution, land conversion…)

Question 6

What is the natural world?

Answer 6

Depends who you ask, many different values and ideas.

Some say it is untouched pristine wilderness

Question 7

Why is biodiversity important?

Answer 7

Utilitarian - provides benefits to people
Intrinsic - good for its own sake, cultural and spiritual

Question 8

What is the current biodiversity crisis?

Answer 8

It is global increase in extinction rates due to human activities

Question 9

Evolutionary radiation

Answer 9

Periods of intense species proliferation (adaptation) to fill empty niches

Question 10

Characteristics of the Anthropocene

Answer 10

Extinction rates are higher
Species at risk are increasing rapidly
Natural communities are also at risk

Question 11

Describe the extinction vortex

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

Habitat conversion

Answer 12

Wilderness converted to human habitats

Question 13

Alien species

Answer 13

Introduced species that alter native interactions, introduce disease, and prey on native species

Question 14

Overharvest

Answer 14

Unsustainable use for profit

Unknown impacts because population dynamics, interactions, and other effects are not understood or ignored

Question 15

What does the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) do?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Name some disciplines that are involved in conservation biology

Answer 16

Conservation genetics, population biology, behavioural ecology, landscape ecology, functional ecology, ecological economics, environmental sociology/psychology

Question 17

Rarity

Answer 17

Low likelihood of encountering a species

Question 18

Minimum viable population (MVP)

Answer 18

The smallest population size needed to sustain a population over a certain time period

Question 19

Minimum viable area (MVA)

Answer 19

The smallest area of suitable habitat needed to sustain a population over time

Question 20

Island biography theory

Answer 20

Large islands have more species and lower extinction
Distant islands have fewer immigrants of new species

Question 21

Keystone species

Answer 21

Disproportionately large impact on ecosystem structure/function

Question 22

Umbrella species

Answer 22

Wide-ranging spp. with complex habitat needs. Conservation of umbrella species leads to conservation of other species

Question 23

Flagship species

Answer 23

Cultural or advertising significance

Question 24

Biodiversity hotspots

Answer 24

Support high density of biodiversity
High endemism
Usually tropical habitats

Question 25

Limitations and benefits of protected areas

Answer 25

Limitations:
Competing interests
Require networks
Lots of $ to establish & maintain

Benefits:
Conservation
Education
Culture

Question 26

Design considerations of protected areas

Answer 26

Single large or several small (SLOSS)… consider edge effects and movement between patches

Question 27

Name some management challenges (3) and examples

Answer 27

Internal stressors: facilities within, poaching

Surrounding area: forestry activity increases edge,
exterior degradation, loss of connectivity

Regional stressors: acid rain, pollution, climate change