Chapter 10. Conservation_@!&;"'4wws Biology.pptxec

Ecosystem functionality

1. Chapter 10. Conservation Biology What is Conservation Biology? “The science of scarcity and diversity.” M. Soule (1986) “The applied science of maintaining the Earth’s biological diversity” or more simply “biology as applied to conservation issues.” M. Hunter (1996, 2002) “Conservation biology is the new, multidisciplinary science that has developed to deal with the crisis confronting biological diversity.” R. Primack (2006) “Conservation biology should be considered a crisis discipline.” R. Primack (2006)

2. Why Conservation Biology? “People have been doing conservation for decades even centuries…” ( Meffe and Carroll 1994) What is new? Every natural ecosystem on the planet has been altered by humans Vast numbers of species on the planet have become prematurely extinct Natural hydrological and chemical cycles have been disrupted – Billions of tons of topsoil have been lost Genetic diversity has been eroded – Earth's climate has been altered

3. 5. We live in a world of diminished ecological diversity. 6. We extract energy, materials, and organisms from nature and modify landscapes at rates that cannot be sustained. These activities have resulted in accelerated rates of extinction, degradation, and loss of ecosystems, and disruption of the natural systems in which our cultures are embedded. The Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) believes that conservation education is a necessary step toward correcting these problems. Its stated goals and objectives include “the education, at all levels, preparatory and continuing, of the public, of biologists, and of managers in the principles of conservation biology.”

4. Themes and principles of conservation Biology Conservation Biology has core themes and principles which are interlinked. A theme – the subject of a talk. A principle is a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior or of a chain of reasoning. These core themes and principles are given in the Table below.

5. Themes Primary Principles Goals: the goals of conservation biology Conservation biologists seek to maintain three important aspects of life on Earth: biological diversity, ecological integrity, and ecological health. Values: why biological diversity, ecological integrity, and ecological health are important The conservation of nature is important for nature’s intrinsic values, its instrumental values, and its psychological values. Concepts: concepts for understanding biological diversity, ecological integrity, and ecological health An understanding of conservation is based on key concepts in taxonomy, ecology, genetics, geography, and evolution. Threats: threats to biological diversity, ecological integrity, and ecological health Nature has faced and continues to face numerous threats from humans, including direct harvesting, habitat destruction, and introduction of non-native species. Actions: protection and restoration of biological diversity, ecological integrity, and ecological health Conservation requires a combination of many different strategies.

6. Extinction is a natural Phenomenon But the rapid loss of species we are seeing today is estimated by experts to be between 1000 and 10,000 times higher than the “background” or expected natural extinction rate (a highly conservative estimate). Unlike the mass extinction events of geological history, the current extinction phenomenon is one for which a single species - ours - appears to be almost wholly responsible. This is often referred to as “the sixth extinction crisis”, after the five known extinction waves in geological history.

7. How many are threatened with extinction? The number of species known to be threatened with extinction has topped 16,928. Their ranks include familiar species like the Polar Bear, Hippopotamus, sharks, freshwater fish and Mediterranean flowers. Marine species are proving to be just as much at risk as their land-based counterparts.

8. Why should we worry about extinction? Biodiversity - the variety of species and their habitats - plays an important role in ecosystem function and in the many services ecosystems provide. These include nutrient and water cycling, soil formation and retention, resistance against invasive species, plant pollination, climate regulation, and pest and pollution control. Escalating biodiversity loss has widespread implications for both human and environmental security.

9. The monetary value of goods and services provided by ecosystems is estimated to amount to some 33 trillion dollars per year – nearly twice the global production resulting from human activities. An estimated 50,000-70,000 plant species are used in traditional and modern medicine worldwide. About 100 million metric tons of aquatic organisms, including fish, molluscs and crustaceans are taken from the wild every year and represent a vital contribution to world food security.

10. Meat from wild animals forms a critical contribution to food sources and livelihoods in many countries with high levels of poverty and food insecurity. A huge range of species are involved including monkeys, tapirs, antelopes, pigs, pheasants, turtles and snakes.

11. Causes of Recent Extinctions Habitat destruction and degradation Over-exploitation (extraction, hunting, fishing etc.) Pollution Disease Invasions of alien species (e.g. cats and rats on islands) and invasive plants Global climate change (changes in migratory species, coral bleaching)

12. Protect species at risk of extinction. Designate ecological reserves. Lessen the magnitude of human impacts on natural systems. Restore ecosystems that have been degraded. Augment populations with individuals raised in cultivation or captivity. Control the number of individuals harvested in nature. Prevent the establishment of non-native species, and eliminate non-native species that have become established. Understand and participate in the policy-making process. Educate others about the importance of conservation. Actions Required