Chapter 55Chapter 55

Conservation Biology and Conservation Biology and Restoration EcologyRestoration Ecology

Conservation BiologyConservation Biology

Definition: integrates ecology, physiology, Definition: integrates ecology, physiology, molecular biology, genetics & evolutionary molecular biology, genetics & evolutionary biology to conserve biological diversity at all biology to conserve biological diversity at all levels.levels.

1.) Must take into consideration social science, 1.) Must take into consideration social science, economics, politics, etc.economics, politics, etc.

Restoration EcologyRestoration Ecology

Definition: applies ecological principles in Definition: applies ecological principles in an effort to return degraded ecosystems to an effort to return degraded ecosystems to conditions as similar as possible to their conditions as similar as possible to their natural, pre-degraded state.natural, pre-degraded state.

Conservation Conservation biology & biology & restoration restoration ecology both ecology both play a role in play a role in trying to solve trying to solve the…the… Biodiversity Biodiversity CrisisCrisis

Biodiversity CrisisBiodiversity CrisisA little background…A little background…

1.) Biodiversity: the # of different species in a 1.) Biodiversity: the # of different species in a particular ecosystem (or in the entire world).particular ecosystem (or in the entire world).

2.) Scientists have described and named about 2.) Scientists have described and named about 1.8 million species to date.1.8 million species to date.

3.) They estimate there could be anywhere from 3.) They estimate there could be anywhere from 10 – 200 MILLION more species.10 – 200 MILLION more species.

Biodiversity Crisis cont’d…Biodiversity Crisis cont’d…

4.) Extinction is natural and has been 4.) Extinction is natural and has been occurring since the first living organism occurring since the first living organism appeared on Earth.appeared on Earth.

5.) The current RATE of extinction is what 5.) The current RATE of extinction is what is causing the “biodiversity crisis.”is causing the “biodiversity crisis.”

6.) The primary cause of the current 6.) The primary cause of the current extinction rate is…HUMANS!extinction rate is…HUMANS!

Biodiversity Crisis cont’d…Biodiversity Crisis cont’d…

Biodiversity has 3 main components/levels:Biodiversity has 3 main components/levels:

1.) Genetic diversity1.) Genetic diversity

2.) Species diversity2.) Species diversity

3.) Ecosystem diversity3.) Ecosystem diversity

Genetic DiversityGenetic Diversity1.) Comprises not only the genetic variation within a 1.) Comprises not only the genetic variation within a population but also the genetic variation between population but also the genetic variation between populations.populations.

a.) Genetic variation b/w populations is a.) Genetic variation b/w populations is associated with adaptations to each other & local associated with adaptations to each other & local conditions. conditions.

b.) Loss of genetic diversity has human b.) Loss of genetic diversity has human implications:implications:

i.) Example: If we lose populations of i.) Example: If we lose populations of wild plants that are closely related to crop wild plants that are closely related to crop species, we lose genetic resources that species, we lose genetic resources that could be used to improve crop quality through could be used to improve crop quality through selective breeding or genetic engineering. selective breeding or genetic engineering.

Species Diversity (Species Richness)Species Diversity (Species Richness)1.) 1.) Endangered speciesEndangered species: : those that are in danger those that are in danger of extinction throughout of extinction throughout all or a significant portion all or a significant portion of their range.of their range.

a.) a.) Threatened Threatened speciesspecies: those that : those that are likely to become are likely to become endangered in the endangered in the near future.near future.

Species Diversity (Species Richness) cont’d…Species Diversity (Species Richness) cont’d…

2.) Depressing statistics:2.) Depressing statistics:

a.) 12% of bird species & 24% of a.) 12% of bird species & 24% of mammal mammal species are threatened with species are threatened with extinction.extinction.

b.) 32% of amphibian species are b.) 32% of amphibian species are endangered.endangered.

c.) 20% of freshwater fish have become c.) 20% of freshwater fish have become extinct (since we began keeping records) extinct (since we began keeping records)

or or are seriously threatened.are seriously threatened.

Species Diversity (Species Richness) Species Diversity (Species Richness) cont’d…cont’d…

3.) These numbers are just for known 3.) These numbers are just for known species – think about all the species that species – think about all the species that we haven’t even discovered that have we haven’t even discovered that have either gone extinct or are endangered!either gone extinct or are endangered!

Ecosystem DiversityEcosystem Diversity

1.) The variety of ecosystems – strongly tied to 1.) The variety of ecosystems – strongly tied to community structure.community structure.

a.) The extinction of one species may a.) The extinction of one species may have a dramatic affect on ecosystem have a dramatic affect on ecosystem (keystone species).(keystone species).

b.) Each ecosystem has a characteristic b.) Each ecosystem has a characteristic energy flow & nutrient cycling system – energy flow & nutrient cycling system –

some some of which affect the entire biosphere!of which affect the entire biosphere!

i.) Producers in large ecosystems i.) Producers in large ecosystems may may moderate temp for the whole moderate temp for the whole biosphere biosphere by using carbon dioxide.by using carbon dioxide.

Why should we care about biodiversity loss??Why should we care about biodiversity loss??

1.) Maybe, just maybe we should care about it 1.) Maybe, just maybe we should care about it because we are all citizens of this planet & because we are all citizens of this planet & should feel a sense of connection to nature & should feel a sense of connection to nature & other forms of life.other forms of life.

a.) This sense of connection is what a.) This sense of connection is what FAMOUS ecologist E.O. Wilson calls FAMOUS ecologist E.O. Wilson calls “biophilia.”“biophilia.”

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/eowilson/http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/eowilson/program.htmlprogram.html

Why should we care about biodiversity loss??Why should we care about biodiversity loss??But, if you’re a JERK and need a more But, if you’re a JERK and need a more

selfish & practical reason to care…selfish & practical reason to care…

2.) Many threatened species are 2.) Many threatened species are potential sources of crops, fibers & potential sources of crops, fibers & medicines that we can use.medicines that we can use.

a.) 25% of all current a.) 25% of all current prescription medications are prescription medications are derived from plant-produced derived from plant-produced chemicals.chemicals.

i.) Example: i.) Example: Compounds Compounds

produced produced by certain by certain species of species of periwinkle periwinkle flower and flower and by the by the pacific yew tree pacific yew tree are used in are used in

chemotherapy.chemotherapy.

Why should we care about biodiversity Why should we care about biodiversity loss??loss??

3.) Losing biodiversity means losing genes 3.) Losing biodiversity means losing genes & genetic diversity.& genetic diversity.

a.) With their unique genetics, many a.) With their unique genetics, many organisms can be put to use by organisms can be put to use by

humans in humans in genetic engineering.genetic engineering.

b.) Numerous prokaryotes are used b.) Numerous prokaryotes are used for or for or produce products that are used produce products that are used in genetic in genetic engineering processes. engineering processes.

Time out – Review!Time out – Review!

Describe a procedure by which a human Describe a procedure by which a human gene can be inserted into a prokaryote in gene can be inserted into a prokaryote in order to produce a useful protein product.order to produce a useful protein product.

Why should we care about biodiversity loss??Why should we care about biodiversity loss??4.) Loss of ecosystem services: all the processes through 4.) Loss of ecosystem services: all the processes through which natural ecosystems and the species they contain help which natural ecosystems and the species they contain help sustain human life.sustain human life.

a.) We have closely evolved with Earth’s ecosystems & a.) We have closely evolved with Earth’s ecosystems & they provide many important “services” such as:they provide many important “services” such as:

i.) purification of air & wateri.) purification of air & waterii.) reduction of the severity of droughts & floodsii.) reduction of the severity of droughts & floodsiii.) generation/preservation of fertile soilsiii.) generation/preservation of fertile soilsiv.) decomposition of wastesiv.) decomposition of wastesv.) pollination of cropsv.) pollination of cropsvi.) dispersal of seedsvi.) dispersal of seedsvii.) cycling of nutrientsvii.) cycling of nutrientsviii.) control of pestsviii.) control of pestsix.) general beauty & recreationix.) general beauty & recreation

Why should we care about biodiversity loss??Why should we care about biodiversity loss??

b.) If humans had to perform these b.) If humans had to perform these services artificially and we had to pay services artificially and we had to pay for them, it would cost $33 trillion for them, it would cost $33 trillion

dollars per year! That’s more than all dollars per year! That’s more than all the countries on Earth make combined.the countries on Earth make combined.

Threats to Biodiversity – what is causing the Threats to Biodiversity – what is causing the loss of species??loss of species??

1.) Habitat Destruction1.) Habitat Destructiona.) Greatest threat to biodiversitya.) Greatest threat to biodiversity

b.) 98% of forests in Central America & b.) 98% of forests in Central America & Mexico have been cut down.Mexico have been cut down.

c.) U.S. prairie covers 0.1% of its original c.) U.S. prairie covers 0.1% of its original rangeranged.) 93% of coral reefs have been damaged d.) 93% of coral reefs have been damaged

– – at current rate, 40-50 % of reefs and 1/3 of at current rate, 40-50 % of reefs and 1/3 of marine fish species will be lost in 30-40 marine fish species will be lost in 30-40

years.years.

Threats to Biodiversity – what is causing the Threats to Biodiversity – what is causing the loss of species??loss of species??

Threats to Biodiversity – what is causing the Threats to Biodiversity – what is causing the loss of species??loss of species??

2.) Introduced species: those that humans move, either 2.) Introduced species: those that humans move, either intentionally or by accident from the species native intentionally or by accident from the species native locations to new regions. Also called invasive, nonnative locations to new regions. Also called invasive, nonnative or exotic species.or exotic species.

a.) Ease of travel by plane/ship has a.) Ease of travel by plane/ship has increased this.increased this.

b.) If introduced species gain a foothold in new b.) If introduced species gain a foothold in new region, they can disrupt native community by region, they can disrupt native community by

preying preying on or outcompeting native organisms.on or outcompeting native organisms.

Threats to Biodiversity – what is causing the loss of species??Threats to Biodiversity – what is causing the loss of species??

Zebra mussels in the Great Lakes have disrupted the ecosystem, threatened native species & clogged city’s water supplies – causes billions in damage!

Threats to Biodiversity – what is causing the loss of species??Threats to Biodiversity – what is causing the loss of species??

Kudzu vine - Introduced to control erosion in southern US – took over!

Threats to Biodiversity – what is causing the loss of Threats to Biodiversity – what is causing the loss of species??species??

3.) Overexploitation: the human 3.) Overexploitation: the human harvesting of wild plants or animals at harvesting of wild plants or animals at rates exceeding the ability of populations rates exceeding the ability of populations of those species to rebound.of those species to rebound.

a.) Usually refers to commercial a.) Usually refers to commercial hunting, fishing, trading & collecting of hunting, fishing, trading & collecting of animals.animals.

Threats to Biodiversity – what is causing the loss of species??Threats to Biodiversity – what is causing the loss of species??

Japanese fish market- selling bluefin tuna Confiscated ivory from endangered elephants

Threats to Biodiversity – what is causing the loss of species??Threats to Biodiversity – what is causing the loss of species??

4.) Disruption of 4.) Disruption of interaction networks: interaction networks: ecosystems depend on ecosystems depend on interspecific community interspecific community interactions. The interactions. The extinction of one species extinction of one species can doom another to the can doom another to the same fate.same fate.

a.) Example: bats a.) Example: bats called called flying foxes flying foxes are endangered are endangered due to hunting. due to hunting. They pollinate They pollinate about 80% of plant about 80% of plant species on the species on the Samoan Islands!Samoan Islands!

Population ConservationPopulation Conservation

Small Population Small Population Approach: emphasizes Approach: emphasizes small pop size as small pop size as ultimate cause of ultimate cause of extinction.extinction.

1.) Once a population is 1.) Once a population is small, what finally drives small, what finally drives it to extinction?it to extinction?

2.) 2.) The extinction The extinction vortex:vortex: + feedback + feedback loops of inbreeding & loops of inbreeding & genetic drift draw the genetic drift draw the population toward population toward extinction.extinction.

Population ConservationPopulation Conservation3.) Minimum Viable Population (MVP): 3.) Minimum Viable Population (MVP): the minimal population size at which a the minimal population size at which a species is able to sustain its numbers and species is able to sustain its numbers and survive.survive.

a.) If you want to accurately a.) If you want to accurately calculate calculate this, you really need to figure out this, you really need to figure out the the effective population size which is effective population size which is based based on the breeding potential of the on the breeding potential of the

population (since not all members population (since not all members breed every year).breed every year).

Population ConservationPopulation ConservationDeclining Population Approach: emphasizes the Declining Population Approach: emphasizes the

environmental factors that caused a population’s environmental factors that caused a population’s decline in the first place.decline in the first place.

a.) Looks at populations that may be well above a.) Looks at populations that may be well above MVP but are showing a consistent pop MVP but are showing a consistent pop decrease.decrease.

b.) Seems simple…if deforestation is causing b.) Seems simple…if deforestation is causing extinction then stop deforestation. If a human extinction then stop deforestation. If a human produced toxin is killing birds then remove toxin. produced toxin is killing birds then remove toxin. It’s not always that simple….this is where It’s not always that simple….this is where science & society often intersect.science & society often intersect.

Read Concept 55.3 in your text about the Read Concept 55.3 in your text about the establishment of protected areas & the establishment of protected areas & the identification of biodiversity hot spots.identification of biodiversity hot spots.

Restoration EcologyRestoration Ecology

1.) Bioremediation: the used of living organisms 1.) Bioremediation: the used of living organisms (usually prokaryotes, fungi or plants) to detoxify (usually prokaryotes, fungi or plants) to detoxify polluted ecosystems.polluted ecosystems.

a.) Some plants can take up toxins left behind a.) Some plants can take up toxins left behind from mining. Plant & harvest them and remove from mining. Plant & harvest them and remove toxins from soil.toxins from soil.

b.) Some bacteria can metabolize oil and clean b.) Some bacteria can metabolize oil and clean up spills.up spills.

Restoration EcologyRestoration Ecology

2.) Biological augmentation: uses 2.) Biological augmentation: uses organisms to add essential materials to a organisms to add essential materials to a degraded ecosystem.degraded ecosystem.

a.) Often uses plants that can grow a.) Often uses plants that can grow in in poor soil. When they die – enrich soil poor soil. When they die – enrich soil

and help ecosystem to recover.and help ecosystem to recover.*Take a look at pages 1226-1227 in book on *Take a look at pages 1226-1227 in book on

restoration projects.*restoration projects.*

Sustainable DevelopmentSustainable Development

Definition: the long term prosperity of Definition: the long term prosperity of human societies AND the ecosystems that human societies AND the ecosystems that support them.support them.

Again, not just about science – to sustain Again, not just about science – to sustain ecosystems and retain biodiversity we ecosystems and retain biodiversity we have to connect to social science, have to connect to social science, economics & politics.economics & politics.

??????1.) Is it a moral & ethical responsibility to make 1.) Is it a moral & ethical responsibility to make

individual & societal efforts to preserve individual & societal efforts to preserve biodiversity?biodiversity?

2.) What do you depend on other living organisms 2.) What do you depend on other living organisms for on a daily basis?for on a daily basis?

3.) E.O. Wilson suggests that biophilia is innate: 3.) E.O. Wilson suggests that biophilia is innate: an evolutionary product of a brainy species an evolutionary product of a brainy species whose survival depended on a close connection whose survival depended on a close connection to the environment & the practical application of to the environment & the practical application of plants & animals. What do you think of this?plants & animals. What do you think of this?