Test 2 prep questions: Unit 5 Flashcards
Identify and describe the 5 steps in ecosystem management
Step A: Determining the main stakeholders, defining the ecosystem area, and developing the relationship between them
Step B: Characterize the structure and function of the ecosystem, and find mechanisms to manage and monitor it
-Main biotic and abiotic features
Step C: Identify economic issues that will affect the ecosystem
-eliminate negative economic incentives
-create positive incentives (awards, reduced tax)
Step D: Determine the impact of the ecosystem on adjacent ecosystems
Step E: Decide on long-term goals, and ways of reaching them
-Develop alternative strategies to maximize success
Explain the importance of Steps A and B including approaches in defining the geographic area and consequences; and the levels of stakeholders
It can be difficult to find solutions to manage an ecosystem and meet the needs of the stakeholders
Defining geographic area:
-Jurisdictional basis
-Administrative basis
-Ecological basis
Levels of stakeholders:
-Primary: Those who are most dependent upon the resource
-Secondary and tertiary: Over-powerful voices (local government officials)
What is a stakeholder?
An individual, group, or organization who may affect, be affected by, or perceive itself to be affected by a decision, activity, or outcome of a project
Ecosystem management
Achieving societal goals in a defined geographic area for the interacting biotic communities and their abiotic attributes
Note humans are a component of any ecosystem
Why and how is ecosystem management a tool to implement sustainability?
It is based on the same integration of environmental, social, and economic components as sustainability
Promotes the long-term well-being of ecosystems
Why is stakeholder involvement crucial in achieving ecosystem management?
Because they will be directly affected by the decision, activity, or outcome of a project
Jurisdictional, administrative and ecological boundaries
Jurisdictional: Jurisdictional boundaries are the limits or territory within which a court or official organization has the authority to make decisions and enforce laws.
Administrative: the divisions established by governments to organize and manage regions. These include national borders, state or provincial lines, county or municipal limits, school districts.
Ecological boundary: Defining areas based on ecological features
1st principle of the Ecosystem Approach
The objectives of the management of resources are a matter of societal choice
11th Principle of the Ecosystem Approach
The ecosystem approach should consider all forms of relevant information, including scientific, indigenous, and local knowledge.
12th Principle of the Ecosystem Approach
The ecosystem approach should involve all relevant sectors of society and scientific disciplines
Stakeholder categories
Government agencies
National
Regional
Local
Non-government organizations (NGO)
Business
Residents
Minimum Viable Population and what is the goal of National Parks?
Define ecological integrity
Estimated smallest population that can maintain itself and its genetic variability indefinitely
To maintain ecological integrity
Ensures all native species of plants and animals can live, reproduce, and maintain long-term viability
What is Historical Reference?
Comparing the management area before human impact
Ecological Island
An area of land, isolated by natural or artificial means from the surrounding land where a natural micro-habitat exists among a larger ecosystem
Example of an ecological island?
The Yellowstone National Park
What is a Conservation Corridor?
What are they critical for?
What would happen if we didn’t have them?
A link of wildlife habitat that joins two or more larger areas of similar wildlife habitat
The maintenance of ecological processes
-movement of animals
-continuation of viable populations
Parks would become islands and more prone to extinction
What does a Biosphere Reserve have?
An interior protected area, and an exterior zone of cooperation
What is a World Heritage Site? How many are there?
A landmark or area selected by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as having cultural, historical, scientific, or other significance, and is legally protected by international treaties
There are 1073 sites in 193 countries
Marine Protected Area
An area designated to protect marine ecosystems, and contributes to the restoration and replenishment of resources
What happened when the wolves were taken away from the Yellowstone National Park?
Elk overtook the park causing bears to have less food, pollinators had less flowers, eroded riverbanks, and more
What was the Ecosystem Management Objectives for Yellowstone National Park?
To restore the population of wolves
What happened once the wolves were re-introduced?
The number of elk reduced causing the riverbanks to regenerate, new habitats, species diversity, economic growth because more people were coming to see the wolves
What is a Trophic Cascade?
The actions of a predator changes the environment by affecting parts of the food chain and abiotic features of an ecosystem
ex. Wolves being reintroduced limits the number of elk which allows the next lower level of prey to survive.
What are the 6 characteristic attributes of a vulnerable species?
- Long lived and Delayed Maturity
-polar bears - Low reproductive Rates
-american loon - Limited Habitat Availability
- Breed in Colonies
- Specific Requirements at Life stages
-hibernating - Niche Specialization
-specific ecosystem components required by a species
What is the role of IUCN (international union for the conservation of nature) in species conservation?
What is SARA? How does SARA promote and adhere to IUCN? (3 ways: Prevent, provide, encourage)
Tracks and reports the status of species and the health of the biosphere
Has a Red List: tells us which species are in danger
SARA: Canada’s species at risk act
1. Prevent Canadian indigenous species from becoming extinct
2. To provide for recovery of endangered or threatened species and habitats
3. To encourage management of other species to prevent them from becoming at risk
5 SARA Categories
- Special Concern
-sensitive to human activities - Threatened
-likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed (-1000 ind) - Endangered
-facing imminent extinction(-100) - Extirpated
-No longer exists in the wild where it once lived but lives elsewhere - Extinct
-No longer exists anywhere :(
What is an alien invasive species and what are its features?
An organism not native to a region that is considered harmful since they can out-compete native species for available resources
-Contributes to loss of biodiversity
How do invasive species affect biodiversity, ecosystem structure and function, economic and social/well being?
Biodiversity: They disrupt food webs and introduce new pathogens
Ecosystem: Prey on native species, compete for food and breeding space
Economic losses
Health concerns: introduction of human pathogens
Recreational losses: Affects human enjoyment and use of the environment
How do you stop invaders?
Public education
Invasive species management example: Fish introduced in the 1950s took over the Lake
How did they solve this?
Encouraged commercial fishing
Caused the population to stabilize in the 1990s
What is the recovery strategy for mountain gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Restrict use of the park
This made the locals very angry
They adapted the plan so that the locals could use the park without compromising the gorillas
What are the features of old growth forests?
Some are at least 1000 years old
- Large live trees
- Large dead trees (snags)
- Large logs on forest floor (dead)
What is a forest?
Distinguished by?
Vertical layers are?
A plant community dominated by trees and other woody plants as well as shrubs, forbs, and grasses
Distinguished by species, density, and soil types
Canopy, shrub, forest floor
What was the Great Bear Rainforest Management Objective?
Sustainable forestry and
Conservation of biodiversity
Controlling the establishment, growth, composition, health, and quality of forests and woodland to meet the needs of society on a sustainable basis (economic, social, environmental)
Protecting the old growth and animal habitats while working with the logging industry
What was the outcome of the ecosystem management plan for the Great Bear Rainforest?
85% of the forests will be protected while at the same time providing economic opportunities and jobs for local First Nations and communities
-5 million acres are protected from logging
But the forests aren’t completely saved yet
Biodiversity
What is it defined on?
Variety of life in all its forms, levels, and combinations within an area
Defined on its landscapes/ecosystems, communities/habitats, species, and genetics
