Chapter 3: Biodiversity and Conservation

approaches to conserve biodiversity?

Policies and legislation. Designation of protected areas. Education programmes. Promotion of sustainable activities such as ecotourism. Habitat restoration programmes. Species breeding programmes.

Criteria used to determine the conservation status of species?

Population size: number of mature individuals population size reduction geographical range: extent and occurrence Number of locations extent of habitat fragmentation quality of habitat probability of extinction Diet (low range of foods they eat = more vulnerable).

Biodiversity

The concept that consists of species, genetic and habitat diversity. The more diversity, the more prevalent the ecosystem.

Tectonic plates

The two sub-layers of the earth's crust that move, float and sometimes fracture and whose interaction causes continental drift. and can contribute to speciation.

Ratio of temperate and tropical species

This method is based on fairly extensive knowledge of the number of temperate species and that of the number of mammals and birds in tropical areas.

Genetic diversity

Is the total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species.

Atmospheric pollution impacting biodiversity

Atmospheric pollution can occur from use of cars or production of electricity, can lead to a change in some localized groups of species such as lichen. Some species are intolerant to air pollution and therefore they will decline in number. emissions of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides that are the precursors of acid rain. Acid rain has devastated large areas of forest (e.g.in Sweden and Germany), changing the conditions in lake systems.

What makes a place a biological hotspot?

"It must have at least 1,500 vascular plants as endemics — which is to say, it must have a high percentage of plant life found nowhere else on the planet. A hotspot, in other words, is irreplaceable. It must have 30% or less of its original natural vegetation. In other words, it must be threatened."

Humans influencing biodiversity?

-Pollution -over exploitation -population growth -Habitat fragmentation/degradation and loss -invasive species -climate change

Host specific species

A common method is to intensively count the number of species in one area and then extrapolate this to a wider area.

Isolation

A term that refers to a population of animals, plants, or other organisms that are separated from exchanging genetic material with other organisms of the same species.

How does pollution impacts biodiversity?

Aquatic habitats are being polluted through discharges of waste water including sewage and industrial effluent together with urban drainage and farm run-off.

Threats to biodiversity

Conversion of land to urban use containing high levels of buildings and roads. Removal for use for agriculture purposes. Fragmentation through transport routes such as roads and railways. Degradation through over-exploitation of natural resources such as timber. Degradation through pollution which can have effects both locally and further away from the source e.g. gaseous emissions from use of fossil fuels can lead to localized photochemical smog, regional acid rain and at a global level contribute to climate change.

Ecological impacts of fragmentation/mining?

Ecological impacts of mining include fragmentation of habitats through development of roads to transport the mined goods and for movement of the workforce and other materials. Mining often involves clearance of forest leading to soil erosion and siltation of rivers. Groundwater and surface waters can become contaminated with pollutants such as metals (acid mine drainage). Dust and particulates released into the air can also contaminate and reduce air quality. The physical disturbance and noise in the area can adversely effect some species, which could also reduce successful breeding rates.

Benefits of biodiversity?

Humans benefit financially from biodiversity. Natural capital gives us goods that can be extracted, processed and sold - timber, agricultural food crops, medicines and pharmaceutical drugs and the clothes we wear. The global ecosystems provide invaluable (yet unpriceable) services. These services include the balance of atmospheric gases, clean air, the water cycle, climate regulation, soil formation and protection and pollution breakdown and absorption. Natural areas allow us to get away from city life and work and to take a break in "natures playground". Biodiversity maintains genetic diversity and thus is important to the continuation of evolution. We still know very little about certain biomes (tropical rainforests) and their continued existence presents numerous research and educational opportunities. Humans are part of the web of life if we damage part of that web then it is eventually going to effect our lives - we will create a domino effect (positive feedback). For example we spray insecticides to kill insect pests, the residue drains in to water bodies and is taken in by fish, as you continue up the food chain the poison becomes more and more concentrated until it gets to the top of the food chain - humans!

IUCN

International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Issues with invasive species?

Out-compete native species, Some invasive species have adapted to the new environment but sometimes they degrade the habitat or they themselves cannot survive. Islands are especially vulnerable to invasive species.

Examples of over-exploitation of a resource

Overfishing, the exploitation of the seas has been well documented. Newfoundland in Canada historically had an extremely high productive fishery. However, following years of over fishing, stocks become exhausted and the fishery collapsed. In 1992 a moratorium was imposed on the cod fishery in Newfoundland by the Canadian government.

Habitat diversity

Refers to the range of habitats present in a region.

Biodiversity hotspot

Region that is both a significant reservoir of biodiversity and is threatened with destruction.

Why is it difficult to determine global biodiversity?

Some areas are difficult for humans to reach (ocean floor), organisms good at hiding, not enough taxanomisists for all species groups.

Species diversity

Species diversity refers to the measure of diversity in an ecological community.

Fragmentation

The process by which habitat loss results in the division of large, continuous habitats into smaller, more isolated remnants.

Taxonomic classification System

Using physical characteristics organisms are first designated a kingdom, followed by a phylum and widening out to groups of classes, order, family and genus. At each stage the number of groups increases.

How do humans influence biodiversity?

With growth in human population there is increasing demand on natural resources which has led to over-exploitation of species, habitat degradation, human introduction of alien species and pollution of the environment, all contributing to species extinction.

Endemic Species

endemic species is unique to a particular location and not found elsewhere.

Tropical biome

is a large community of plants and animals that occupies a distinct region (usually close to the equator). Defined by their climate and dominant vegetation. Some of the most biodiverse areas.

Speciation

the formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.