Biodiversity hotspots for conservation
Areas where high concentrations of endemic species are undergoing substantial loss of habitat.
Should we focus conservation efforts in these areas at the expense of less diverse regions?
Or should we focus efforts on currently endangered species?
Myers et al 2000
Species-level regulatory approaches
CITES: 1975 Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES)
United States Endangered Species Act (ESA)
Lacey Act
Migratory Bird Conservation Act & the Migratory Bird Treaty Clean Water Act
The science behind conservation biology
Biodiversity indicesRichnessSimpson’sShannonTaxonomic
The importance of biodiversity for resilience and stability of communities
Theory of island biogeography
Fragmentation leads to a metapopulation* divided into smaller populations
*Metapopulation= population of populations
NATURE RESERVESLarge and medium-sized reserves with buffer
zones help protect biodiversity and can be connected by corridors.
National parks: a reserve systemThe first National Park in the US was established in 1872:
Yellowstone.The National Park System was created by the Organic Act of
1916, signed by President Wilson.
Laws and treaties
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (moratorium)
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
National Marine Sanctuaries Act
The primary objective of the NMSA is to protect marine resources, such as coral reefs, sunken historical vessels or unique habitats.
Most marine sanctuaries in US waters do not actually protect marine life.
Case in point: Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
© NOAA
Clean Water Act 1972, 1977 Made the discharge of pollutants from a point source into navigable waters
illegal. This includes industrial and waste water discharges.
Oil Pollution ActOil Pollution Act 1990 Requires oil and drilling companies to have emergency plans in place in the event of a huge spill Sets aside funds for oil spill clean ups in case the responsible party cannot afford all of the costs.
1990 Requires oil and drilling companies to have emergency plans in place in the event of a huge spill Sets aside funds for oil spill clean ups in case the responsible party cannot afford all of the costs.
ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION
Restoration: trying to return to a condition as similar as possible to original state.
Rehabilitation: attempting to turn a degraded ecosystem back to being functional.
Replacement: replacing a degraded ecosystem with another type of ecosystem.
Creating artificial ecosystems: such as artificial wetlands for flood reduction and sewage treatment.
ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION
Five basic principles for ecological restoration:Identify cause.Stop abuse by eliminating or sharply reducing
factors.Reintroduce species if necessary.Protect area form further degradation.Use adaptive management to monitor efforts,
assess successes, and modify strategies.
Fig. 10-27, p. 219
• Adopt a forest.
• Plant trees and take care of them.
• Recycle paper and buy recycled paper products.
• Buy sustainable wood and wood products.
• Choose wood substitutes such as bamboo furniture and recycled plastic outdoor furniture, decking, and fencing.
• Restore a nearby degraded forest or grassland.
• Landscape your yard with a diversity of plants natural to the area.
• Live in town because suburban sprawl reduces biodiversity.
Sustaining Terrestrial Biodiversity
What Can You Do?