Unit 5 Prep questions Flashcards
Identify and describe the 5 steps in ecosystem management
Step A: Identify the stakeholders and define the area
Step B: Characterize the area, and come up with a management plan
Step C: Identify economic issues
Step D: Determine the impact on adjacent ecosystems
Step E: Decide on long-term goals/alternative strategies
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
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
Ecosystem management
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
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What is Historical Reference?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
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
Marine Protected Area
An area designated to protect marine ecosystems, and contributes to the restoration and replenishment of resources
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
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)
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
