Module 9: Biodiversity & Wildlife Flashcards
What are the three 3 variations of biodiversity?
- Genetic diversity - variation among individuals in a species
- species diversity
- Ecosystem diversity
Scientific observations suggest we are currently in a __ mass extinction due to ?
6th mass extinction due to human population growth and economic expansion
How much money could the loss of ecosystem services cost globally by 2050/
2 trillion/year
7% global GDP
What are the concerns over biodiversity loss?
What are the motivations for the conservation of wildlife biodiversity?
a. species loss and the disturbance of natural systems is unethical, contradicts sustainability
b. biodiversity offers recreational and aesthetic benefits, including wildlife-related activities
What social and economic values do plants and animals provide to society?
- genetic material for plant and animal breeding - developing new crop varieties
- materials to produce pharmaceuticals (more than 50% of medicines come from natural products)
- Applications using biotechnology
Functioning ecosystems provide irreplaceable ecosystem services such as?
- Photosynthesis
- water cycle
- carbon storage
- pollination
- soil generation
- nutrient cycling
Describe the two different approaches to conserving species (Ex-Situ vs In-Situ Conservation)
- Ex-situ conservation of a species in permanent places, outside of their natural place
- In-situ conservation or protection of a species in their natural habitat
What is the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)?
What are their primary goals?
CBD was signed by a number of countries at the 1992 Earth Summit - currently, 193 countries are parties (not the USA)
Primary goals of the CBD:
- conservation of biological diversity
- Sustainable use of the components of biodiversity
- fair and equitable sharing of benedis arising from genetic resources
Is the Convention on Biodiversity legally binding? What is the primary effect on how issues are carried out?
Yes, but its dispute settlement mechanism is ineffective and non-binding (it provides goals and guidelines)
carried out through programs and policies implemented at the national and provincial levels
- Ecosystem approach to managing lands and waters
- pressures on biodiversity reduced and more sustainable use of resources
- Provide adequate information on biodiversity to support planning and decisions
- Canadians informed about the value of nature and more actively engaged in stewardship
What is the vision of the Prairie Conservation Action Plan (PCAP)? What measures does the plan carry out?
healthy native prairie ecosystems as vital parts of vibrant and strong communities
- PCAP partners include NGOs, universities and federal/provincial governments
- limited to information-based measures and promotion to meet vision and goals
Species at Risk Act (SARA)
The federal government’s commitment to prevent wildlife species from becoming extinct and secure necessary actions for their recovery - provides legal protection
SARA contains which schedule of species? What does each species on this schedule require?
Schedule 1 - the law protects plants and animals listed in Schedule 1.
Each species listed is required to have a recovery plan developed, enabling the recovery strategy and policy implementation
Define the differences on the Species at Risk Act for the following: extinct, extirpated, endangered, threatened, species concern
- Extinct - no longer occurring anywhere
- Extirpated - species no longer existing in the wild in Canada but exists elsewhere
- Endangered - a species facing imminent extirpation or extinction
- threatened - a species likely to become endangered if nothing is done to change the factors exerting pressure
- special concern - species particularly sensitive to human activities or natural events
Which management of game species is more popular: ground, aerial, or citizen surveys?
Citizen science surveys - hunter surveys, annual status of furbearers survey
- determines if populations are above or below the population objective and allows policies to issue more or less tags/licenses
What are some policies for managing game species?
Payment for licensing and access & legally enforced harvest limits
what is the wildlife damage compensation program?
payment based program to compensate producers for costs of wildlife population programs
- compensates for crop damage
Parks & Protected Areas are a ___ ____ approach?
Public provision to address the under-provision of ecosystem goods and services (biodiversity, ecosystem function, wildlife
What are the 4 categories for parks and protected areas?
- parks - mandate of conservation and recreation
- Wilderness areas - similar to parks but place more restrictions on commercial development and non-motorized recreation
- Ecological reserves - smaller areas that conserve unique natural features with strict rules on permitted activities
- Wildlife management areas - protect specific species or ecosystems but allow a broader range of activities
What percentage of areas in Saskatchewan are protected or conserved?
9.8%
What are national parks?
National parks are a country-wide system of representative natural areas of Canadian significance. By law they are protected for public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment, while being maintained in an unimpaired state for future generations
What is the target percentage of federally protected areas by 2030?
30%
Describe the migratory bird convention act
provides regulations that prohibit harming migratory birds, nests, or eggs within established sanctuaries
