what is conservation biology? (lecture 1) Flashcards
1
Q
What is conservation biology?
A
- an applied scientific discipline that seeks to counter biodiversity loss
- response of biologists to adverse anthropogenic impacts on the natural world
2
Q
What are the three core components of conservation biologists?
A
- quantify loss & impacts (biology)
- identify causal mechanisms (biology and other disciplines)
- devise strategies to reduce impacts (biology and other disciplines)
3
Q
What is conservation biology concerned with?
A
- long term viability of entire systems
4
Q
What makes conservation biology a crisis discipline? What is a consequence of this?
A
- rate of biodiversity loss is faster than rate of knowledge gain
- demand for rapid knowledge can lead to poor science and advocacy
5
Q
Discipline origins - why should we conserve?
- what are the ethical approaches?
A
- romantic-transcendental ethic
- resource conservation ethic
- evolutionary-ecological land ethic
6
Q
Romantic-transcendental ethics:
- when?
- who?
- approach?
- why conserve?
- led to?
A
- 1850s
- john muir, henry thoreau, ralph emerson
- mystical almost religious approach to nature
- nature has an inherent value, not just economic
- led to sierra club, yosemite national park, preservationist movement
7
Q
Resource conservation ethics:
- when?
- who?
- approach?
- why conserve?
- led to?
A
- 1900s
- john mill, gifford pinchot, teddy roosevelt
- utilitarian approach
- conserve nature for its economic resources
- led to “multiple use” concept
8
Q
Evolutionary-ecological land ethic:
- when?
- who?
- approach?
- why conserve?
- led to?
A
- 1950s
- Aldo Leopald
- combined john muir’s semi-religious fervour & john mill’s utilitarian approach
- recognises ecosystems are intergrated systems based on independent processes, that there is an equilibrium and that tinkering with any component may lead to collapse
- conserve nature for both inherent/philosophical value and economic value
- foundation of modern conservation
9
Q
Conservation biology in the modern era:
- 1960s and 70s
- 1980s
A
1960s/70s:
- focus on broader concerns e.g. pollution and population growth
- biologists remotely involved in resource management
- silent springs by rachel carson
1980s:
- discipline formalised by Soule and Wilcox
- “conservation biology: an evolutionary and ecological perspective”
10
Q
Quantifying loss and impact:
- urban development
A
- fastest growing land use
- must quantify impact on species richness, population densities, genetic diversity, predation risk, disease risk
11
Q
Quantifying loss and impact:
- deforestation
A
- revising forest code
2004: 27,700 km
2012: 4,570 km
2013: 5,800 km
2014: c. 11,000 km
12
Q
Causal mechanisms:
- plant-pollinator interactions
A
- oil-collecting bee (Rediviva peringueyi) and the guild of oil-secreting orchid species (Coryciinae)
- why have plant populations declined? reduced pollination in urban areas? climate change?
13
Q
Causal mechanisms:
- wood warblers
A
- 60% decline UK populaton 1995-2008
- long distant migrants
- why? changes in african winter grounds? effects of climate change on breeding grounds?
14
Q
Identifying solutions:
- skylark plots
A
- skylarks struggle to forage in tall thick winter cereals
- leaving undrilled patches in winter cereal fields
- fields w 2 skylark plots per herctare have significant benefits
- mostly use them for foraging but increases breeding success
- more chicks, heavier chicks
15
Q
Identifying solutions:
- protected area gap analysis
A
- identified places where species live without any protection
- analysed where the highest priority gaps in protection existed
- need to be designed in relation to the distribution patterns of species
