Tropical forests 3: At what level should conservation act? Flashcards
What are the three main categories for species level conservation?
Umbrella species, indicator (sentinel) species, keystone species
What are umbrella species?
Species that are usually large-bodied and wide-ranging. They require a large habitat. Monitoring and conserving these species would conserve the whole habitat.
Give two examples of umbrella species
Tigers and pandas
What are indicator (sentinel) species?
A species whose sensitivity to environmental change is well known. Indicates the quality of the ecosystem.
Give two examples of indicator (sentinel) species
Amphibians and lichens
What is a keystone species?
A species has a disproportionately large role in supporting its ecosystem.
Give two examples of keystone species
Sea otters and black-tailed prairie dogs
Describe how sea otters a keystone species in kelp ecosystems
They eat sea urchins, decreasing the consumption of kelp. Kelp are an important nursery habitat for fish
Describe how black-tailed prairie dogs are keystone species in prairie ecosystems
They prey on some species. They burrow which aerates the soil. They graze on plants which increases biodiversity and attracts other grazers. This is beneficial for cattle.
What is an evolutionarily significant unit?
A group of populations with a common evolutionary history and are distinct enough for the purpose of conservation from other populations
Give a reason for and against sub-species being an evolutionarily significant unit
They are very prevalent in some groups, however their small differences can be very important for their environment
What is the benefit of conserving multiple ESUs?
It maximises the conservation of evolutionary history
What is a management unit?
A group of populations that that are definably different from other groups but not with the same degree of separation as ESUs
Why do MUs differ in allele frequency?
Lack of gene flow
What are MUs the result of?
More recent isolation
