conservation biology fall 2007. what is conservation biology? applied, interdisciplinary science...
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Conservation Biology
Fall 2007
What is Conservation Biology?
Applied, interdisciplinary science developed in response to rapid modern loss of species & habitats.
3 goals:o Document diversity of organisms on Eartho Study human impact on species and habitatso Develop methods to preserve those species
and their habitats
Semester Summary
The semester was built around these 4 questions about
Biodiversity:
Biological Diversity:
What is it, & how do scientists study it?
How did it get here?What threatens it today?How can we preserve it, as much as
possible?
What is Biological Diversity?
Bacteria
Archaebacteria
Protists Plants
Fungi Animals
Levels of Biological Diversity – Diversity at different scales:
1) Genetic Diversity
2) Species Diversity
3) Habitat Diversity
What are the Origins of Biological Diversity?
Biodiversity Origins
Genetic diversity: what it is, how it works
Species diversity: what is a species, how do they arise?
Evolution: how has the diversity of organisms come to be here on Earth?o Artificial selection vs. natural selection
Ecosystem diversity: food webs & how they work
What are the Threats to Biological Diversity?
Biodiversity Threats
History of Life & Mass ExtinctionsDangers of small population sizesHistory of human impactsModern threats…
o Habitat loss, fragmentation & degradation
o Invasion of exotic specieso Global climate change
What are some Solutions to the Biodiversity Crisis?
Solutions to the Biodiversity Crisis
Saving Species:Minimum viable populationsHabitat size3 levels of intervention to save
species (habitat improvement, captive breeding, off-site conservation)… in situ vs. ex situ preservation
Solutions to the Biodiversity Crisis
Saving Habitat:Island Biogeography theory & what it
tells us about designing habitat reserves
Ideal design of habitat reservesWhat has been done in U.S.?US Legislation to preserve biodiversity
o Focused on species, habitats? (both?)o Article “Bred for Success” – relate to
above question
Solutions to the Biodiversity Crisis
Sustainability & Sustainable Development:
Video: The Shaman’s ApprenticeGuest Lecture: Jim Dyer on sustainable
farming & ranching (farms as habitat)Debate: What is our best hope for
encouraging preservation of biodiversity?
Closing: EO Wilson & the biodiversity bottleneck…
Saving “The Creation”
What will it take to preserve biological diversity?
Getting through the “Bottleneck”o Wilson, pg. 311 quote
What are the best arguments for preservation?
Pragmatism first:o Use biodiversityo Economics, technology (Wilson ch. 13)o How many species do we rely upon for food
today? (p 287)o In diversity, often more stability (or resilience)
Most biodiversity housed in most impoverished nations – how can we help? (Frontiers article)
What agenda does Wilson propose to get diversity through the bottleneck?
List his 5 points:o What are they?o What is a problem associated with or
addressed by each point?o What is an example of success he
mentions for each point?Report to class
But, of course, the only real hope for preservation must go
beyond pragmatism
Biophilia:o The inherent awe, connection and
respect humanity feels for the rest of nature
o When we have enough food & shelter, we can remember this sense of love & wonder we all have for the natural world – the world we were born of
Wilson – ch. 15 – quote,o P. 343-344 (4 paragraphs)o Read this!!!!!
So, what can we do? What can YOU do…?
My heart is moved by all I cannot save: So much has been destroyed I have cast my lot with those who, age after age, perversely, with no extraordinary power reconstitute the world.
---Adrienne Rich
