Chapter 55 Conservation Biology Restoration Ecology 1 What

Chapter 55: Conservation Biology & Restoration Ecology 1. What is conservation biology? - The integration of all aspects of biology to conserve biological diversity at all levels - Ecology, physiology, molecular biology, genetics & evolutionary biology 2. What is restoration ecology? - Applies ecological principles to return humanly disturbed ecosystems back to their natural state 3. What is biodiversity? - Biological diversity - 3 levels - Genetic diversity - Genetic variation within a population & genetic variation between populations - Species diversity - The variety of species in an ecosystem or throughout the biosphere - Threatened species – species likely to be considered endangered in the foreseeable future - Endangered species – species in danger of becoming extinct within their range - Ecosystem diversity - The variety of biosphere’s ecosystems - Extinction of 1 species can impact its community & ecosystem

Figure 55. 2 Three levels of biodiversity Genetic diversity in a vole population Species diversity in a coastal redwood ecosystem Community and ecosystem diversity across the landscape of an entire region

EXPRIMENT 200 Number of male birds Researchers observed that the population collapse of the greater prairie chicken was mirrored in a reduction in fertility, as measured by the hatching rate of eggs. Comparison of DNA samples from the Jasper County, Illinois, population with DNA from feathers in museum specimens showed that genetic variation had declined in the study population. In 1992, researchers began experimental translocations of prairie chickens from Minnesota, Kansas, and Nebraska in an attempt to increase genetic variation. 150 100 50 0 1970 RESULTS After translocation (blue arrow), the viability of eggs rapidly improved, and the population rebounded. 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 Year (a) Population dynamics 100 CONCLUSION The researchers concluded that lack of genetic variation had started the Jasper County population of prairie chickens down the extinction vortex. Eggs hatched (%) 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 1970 -74 1975 -79 1980 -84 1985 -89 Years Figure 55. 10 (b) Hatching rate 1990 1993 -97

Chapter 55: Conservation Biology & Restoration Ecology 1. 2. 3. 4. What is conservation biology? What is restoration ecology? What is biodiversity? What things are threatening biodiversity? - Habitat loss - Introduced species - Overexploitation - Disruption of interaction networks (honeybee / pollination)

Figure 55. 1 Tropical deforestation in West Kalimantan, Borneo Habitat loss

(a) A red-cockaded woodpecker perches at the entrance to its nest site in a longleaf pine. Figure 55. 13 a–c (b) Forest that can sustain red-cockaded woodpeckers has low undergrowth. (c) Forest that cannot sustain red-cockaded woodpeckers has high, dense undergrowth that impacts the woodpeckers’ access to feeding grounds.

Figure 55. 6 Two introduced species (a) Brown tree snake, introduced to Guam in cargo (b) Introduced kudzu thriving in South Carolina

Figure 55. 7 Overexploitation North Atlantic bluefin tuna

Chapter 55: Conservation Biology & Restoration Ecology 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. What is conservation biology? What is restoration ecology? What is biodiversity? What things are threatening biodiversity? What’s the difference between fragmentation, an edge, and a corridor? - Fragmentation – division of natural habitat - Edge – boundary between ecosystems – species rich - Corridor – movement strip that connects habitats

Figure 55. 15

Figure 55. 16 An artificial corridor

Terrestrial biodiversity hot spots Equator Figure 55. 17

Nicaragua 0 50 CARIBBEAN SEA Costa Rica 100 Kilometers 43 R. National park land Buffer zone Montana Wyoming Yellowstone Montana Shoshone R. National (a) Boundaries of the zoned Idaho Parkreserves are indicated by black outlines. 41 Sn e ak Grand Teton National Park Biotic boundary for long-term survival; MVPinisone 500 of individuals. (b) Local schoolchildren marvel at the diversity of life Idaho Figure 55. 19 a, b Figure 55. 18 Wyoming R. 40 Biotic boundary for short-term survival; MVP is 50 individuals. Costa Rica’s reserves. PACIFIC OCEAN a ows tone Panam Gallatin R. Madison R. 42 Yell

Biophilia • The evolutionary connection between human beings and other plants/animals within the environment. (a) Detail of animals in a Paleolithic mural, Lascaux, France Figure 55. 24 b (b) Biologist Carlos Rivera Gonzales examining a tiny tree frog in Peru