Unit 4: Managing Ecosystems for Sustainability

Question 1

biotic communities

Answer 1

include all living things that are found in a particular area, including humans, plants, animals, microorganisms, and any other living things

Question 1

Ecosystem Management

Answer 1

an approach to natural resource management that aims to ensure the long-term sustainability and persistence of an ecosystem’s function and services while meeting socioeconomic, political, and cultural needs

Question 2

abiotic attributes

Answer 2

include anything that is not living but is still an important component in the area under examination. Abiotic attributes can include such things as dirt water, air, and other physical components of the environment.

Question 3

3 most important principles of ecosystem management

Answer 3

Principle 1 - the objectives of management of land, water and living resources are a matter of societal choice.Principle 1 reflects the findings of the Brundtland Commission, in that environmental decisions are a matter of societal choice. That means each of us have the right and responsibility to contribute to those decisions in whatever way we believe is appropriate.

Principle 11 - The ecosystem approach should consider all forms of relevant information, including scientific and indigenous and local knowledge, innovations and practices.Principle 11 indicates that all forms of relevant knowledge be brought into consideration in managing ecosystems. Not only scientific knowledge, but also knowledge from indigenous and local peoples should be used.

Principle 12 - The ecosystem approach should involve all relevant sectors of society and scientific disciplines.Principle 12 demonstrates the inclusivity of the ecosystem approach, in that all of society should be involved. Further, involvement of all scientific disciplines indicates that the ecosystem approach is truly interdisciplinary.

Question 4

5 steps in implamenting an ecosystem management plan

Answer 4

Determining the Geographic Area and the Stakeholders

determin Ecosystem Structure, Function,

determin Economic Factors

Adaptive Management over Space

Long-Term Adaptive Management

Question 5

administrative basis

Answer 5

Ecosystem management must have defined boundaries on what the ecosystem is. When this is done on an administrative basis, government jurisdiction is used. For example, the government of Canada may define the entire country as an ecosystem for some projects, each province as an ecosystem for some projects, or a specific section of a provience for projects (ie Interlake)

Question 6

The problem with ecosystem management done on an administrative basis is

Answer 6

That each designated area is run by a different official. For example if you have a group of migrating caribou that moves between the interlake and eastman sections of manitoba, each of the two sections will have their own ideas on how to manage and support the heard - and they often conflict

Question 7

Ecological classification basis

Answer 7

Managing on an ecological basis transcends government and other administrative boundaries. However, since there are no managers that represent the ecological region per se, government agencies as well as non-government organizations must coordinate their management efforts.

Question 8

Historic condition

Answer 8

the state of an ecosystem prior to human settlement. Often beneficial to use as a starting point when considering ecosystem management strategies. While some human activity puts limits on how achievable this is - generally biodiversity will be at its best when restored to the historic condidtion

Question 9

Monumentalism / ecotourism

Answer 9

concept regarding what designates a park. monuments of nature were protected so that society could travel to these sites and witness the scenic grandeur. Ex Yellowstone

Question 10

Human recreation

Answer 10

concept regarding what designates a park. With the introduction of roads and trains, people needed space for recreation. Ex Central Park

Question 11

Preservation approach

Answer 11

Ecological management strategy that seeks to maintain the ecological integrity of a park, meaning that the ecosystem is left to its natural process. In this strategy human interaction is not accommodated for

Question 12

Conservation

Answer 12

an ecosystem management approach in which social and economic interests are considered but care is taken not to deplete the natural ecosystem or its diversity. It acknowledges that natural and human-induced alterations can occur in the park being managed

Question 13

Minimum viable population (MVP)

Answer 13

the estimated smallest population that can maintain itself and its genetic variability indefinitely. Data is often limited in terms of knowing whether a minimum viable population size actually exists.

Question 14

Ecological Islands

Answer 14

isolated by natural or artificial means from the surrounding land, where a natural micro-habitat exists amidst a larger differing ecosystem. National parks are an example of this, as they are isolated by roads surrounding them

Question 15

Alien invasive species (AIS)

Answer 15

species that are not native to a region and, when introduced either intentionally or accidentally, will outcompete native species for available resources.

Question 16

Negative effects of AIS (4)

Answer 16

Ecological concerns - the alien species out competing natural species for example

Economic losses - diamondback moths deforesting an area that can no longer be sold as timber

health concerns - spread of pathogens not native to the area

recreational losses - zebra mussels ruining beaches

Question 17

the red list

Answer 17

a list posted yearly of all the species that require protection worldwide

Question 18

Species at risk act (SARA) (4)

Answer 18

a unique canadian document covering the management of species at risk:

• requires government authorities to prevent Canadian native species, subspecies, and distinct populations from becoming extirpated or extinct.

-provides for the recovery of any species listed as endangered or threatened.

-encourages governments to ensure other native species in Canada are prevented from becoming at risk.

Question 19

Extirpated species

Answer 19

Species that can no longer be found locally, but can be found somewhere else in Canada or the world

Question 20

Threatened species

Answer 20

Species that are at risk of becoming endangered

Question 21

Special concern species

Answer 21

Species of which we lack sufficient data to make a judgment on their actual status

Question 22

Canopy layer

Answer 22

the top layer of leaves and branches that capture solar energy to drive photosynthesis

Question 23

Shrub layer

Answer 23

the middle layer of a forest where most animals live

Question 24

Forrest floor

Answer 24

the bottom layer of a forest where there is a rich decomposer and soil community

Question 25

Silviculture

Answer 25

the science of forest and harvest management

Question 26

Selective cutting

Answer 26

involves the removal of intermediate aged and mature trees, and results in a forest in which the trees are unevenly aged. Forests regenerate naturally under this type of regime with the trees and seedlings benefiting from the protection of some of the remnant larger older trees.

Question 27

Clear cutting

Answer 27

where an entire stand (or large block) is harvested with adjacent stands taken in alternate years. The west coast forests are often clear-cut because the regenerating tree species do best with the open type of ecosystem structure. The forest must be replanted to ensure prompt restoration and the forest is therefore even aged.

Question 28

Secondary growth forests

Answer 28

result from the regeneration of tree species that occurs after either a natural disturbance, such as a wildfire or a windstorm, or forestry operations. Second growth forests tend to be more closely spaced as the seedlings grow rapidly near to one another. There is likely more vegetation on the forest floor. However, the second growth forests have less biodiversity than old-growth forests because there are fewer canopy layers and overall less structural complexity to support a diverse array of ecological niches.

Question 29

Sustainable forestry

Answer 29

the art and science of controlling the establishment and growth, composition, health, and quality of forests to meet the diverse needs and values as expressed by society.