Lecture 9- Ex Situ And Insitu Conservation Flashcards
Define in-situ conservation
In situ conservation involves actions taken within the organism natural habitat
What is ex-situ conservation?
Actions for conservation taken in captivity
Define Argo diversity
Genetic diversity that results from human selection
What are the three types of ex-situ conservation efforts
- Hobbyists
- Commercial breeders
- Zoos,aquariums, wildlife parks etc
What is hobbyism?
The ex situ conservation of animals for personal NOT COMMERCIAL reasons
Give an example of an effective hobbysit collection
A private collection of Spix macaws were purchased by conservation groups from a hobbyists after the species went extinct in the wild. There Is now 110 captive birds ready for reintroduction from this collection
Explain how commercial breeding contributes to ex situ conservation
Rare species are accidentally conserved due to their populations being used for commercial gain
Give an example of successful commercial breeding in conservation
Siamese crocodiles are critically endangered in the wild but have an population of >1million in Cambodia due to their growth for the leather industry
What are the four aims of exsitu conservation?
- Insurance against extinction
- Resovoirs for reintroduction
- Public education
- Research gains
How many IUCN red list species cannot be recovered in situ bit can be exsitu?
64
What are the criteria for an effective reservoir for reintroduction in ex situ conservation? (Five)
- Genetic diversity
- Assistive reproductive technology can be used on them to breed in captivity
- There are no genetic defects within the population (that can be passed on)
- The spread of disease is controlled
- There is an effective strategy for reintroduction
How many people, on average, visits zoos in Europe each year?
40 million
What do zoos encourage?
Funding for in situ conservation efforts
What are some example research gains from ex situ conservation?
Animal behavoir, endocrinology, vetinary sciene knowledge, environmental education
Explain,in relation to the IUCN, why ex situ conservation is important
There are currently 64 countries on the IUCN red list that are classed as extinct in the wild, so their only hope of being recovered in in exsitu efforts- there is no possibility for in situ efforts.
How much money did the EAZA raise for in situ conservation efforts in 2020?
3.3 million euros
How do you effectively design an ex situ population?
-NO RANDOM SAMPLING as genetic diversity MUST be maintained. To sample, natural genetic diversity must be understood (so all of it is recorded) and this healthy genetic stock MUST be maintained through breeding efforts.
What size founder stock is needed to maintain 90% of genetic diversity when designing an ex situ population?
> 20 founder stock animals results in 90% of the populations diversity being conserved
What must be prioritised in an ex situ population? (2)
- Maintenance of healthy genetic stock
2. Ability to survive in the wild, making reintroduction successful
What are the four genetic issues that can arise from captive breeding?
- Inbreeding
- Loss of genetic diversity
- Accumulation of mutated alleles/ genes
- Adaptation to captive conditions, which harm the ability to survive in the wild
What are the two main evolutionary/genetic issues associated with captive breeding?
- Selection pressure
2. hybrids
What contains information on every individual of a population?
The gorilla stud handbook
What is the gorilla stud handbook used for?
The effective management of populations to avoid genetic defect via looking at their genetic history
What behavioural issues result from captivity? (Five)
- Loss of hurting ability
- Predator blindness
- Locomotion defects due to being in an unnatural environment
- Loss of natural behaviour
- In printing on humans (which causes conflicts when reintroduced in the wild
How are whooping cranes prepared for release?
- Fake/ ultra lights are used to teach them to migrate properly
- Human careers dress as birds to prevent importing from occurring
What are the five ethical standards for captive animals?
- No: stress, fear,distress or preventable sickness
- No: pain, injury,disease, parasites
- Adequate food+water
- Natural behaviour (Mating, flying etc)
- No loneliness/ confinement
What four factors are required for an effective release strategy?
- Adequate habitat
- Control on prior threats
- Graduated/vetted release strategy
- Long-term monitoring to ensure reintroduction success
What is the main argument against ex suit conservation (particularly in zoos)
That it is expensive and distracts from in situ conservation efforts
What is the taxonomical bias associated with zoos?
Many species within zoos are not threatened but are pretty. Whereas many threatened species are not present, due to their demanding husbandry and”non charismatic” appearance
Give an example of taxonomical bias in zoo settings
The Sunda Pangolin is overlooked, whereas the non-endangered Rainbow Lorikeet isn’t
Explain the successful commercial breeding of the south China tiger
- classed as critically endangered on the IUCN red list, and though to be extinct in wild
- however
