Wildlife Populations Biodiversity Wildlife refers too all organisms
Wildlife Populations & Biodiversity
Wildlife refers too all organisms living outside of direct human control. This includes plants and animals that are not cultivated domestically.
The Importance of Wildlife Healthy, diverse wildlife populations are a good indication of the health of the environment. Wild species play a key role in a lot of ecological processes such as: pollination, germination, seed dispersal, soil generation, nutrient cycling, waste breakdown, pest control. Wild species supply humans and other species with food. Natural wildlife populations are important for the preservation of genetic diversity which can protect a species from disease and extinction. Making medicines and the development of new drugs and treatments depends greatly on wildlife. Wildlife recreation is important to the economy.
Endangered Species in Ontario
Biodiversity refers to the great variation among the Earth’s living organisms (ie. “variety of life”)
3 Levels of Biodiversity 1) Genetic Diversity – a variety of genes available to a species. (genes) 2) Species Diversity – a variety of species on Earth. (organisms) 3) Ecological Diversity – a variety of ecosystems on Earth. (habitats)
Importance of Biodiversity Every species on earth today contains genetic information that represents millions of year of evolution. Genetic diversity helps species (populations) survive against disasters like disease and drought. Genetic diverse species could help make medicines and other chemical compounds of use to humans in the future. Diverse ecosystems help cycle nutrients and chemical elements that play an essential role in maintaining the Earth’s atmosphere, climate, soil and water.
Endangered Species
Threats to Wildlife is under stress and species are disappearing at an alarming rate. Currently in Ontario there are 185 species officially designated as being at risk.
Root Causes of Species Extinction Human population growth Economic policies fail to value the environment Greater per capita resource use as a result of increasing affluence The result of these root causes are the following more direct causes of the endangerment of wild species. Habitat Loss & Fragmentation Commercial Hunting & Poaching Overfishing Climate Change and Pollution Introduced Species
Species at Risk Classification Extinct if it no longer lives anywhere in the world. Extirpated if it lives somewhere in the world, and it at one time lived in the wild in Ontario, but is no longer found in Ontario. Endangered if it lives in the wild in Ontario but is facing imminent extinction or extirpation. Threatened if it lives in the wild in Ontario and is likely to become endangered if steps are not taken to address factors threatening it. Special concern if it lives in the wild in Ontario, and may become threatened or endangered.
What is “at risk” in Southern Ontario? Species At Risk List for Ontario https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Khu. LInfisu. E Endangered Species in Canada 3: 50 min https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Ptgu_15 sd. Vc World's 25 most endangered species 7: 50 min http: //video. nationalgeographic. com/video/tiger_siberian 2: 50 min
Legal Wildlife Protection in Ontario & Canada The Endangered Species Act Interm Report on Ontario's Biodiversity Pesticides Act Environmental Protection Act Fish and Wildlife Act Provincial Parks and Conservation Act Ontario Water Resources Act Crown Forest Sustainability Act Canadian Environmental Assessment Act
Environmental Protection & Conservation Efforts Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement LEED Certified Ontario Eco-schools Program Ontario Nature Conservation Ontario Green Communities Canada World Wildlife Fund Canada Climate Action Network Ontario Solar Energy Association David Suzuki Foundation Forest Stewardship Council Canada Ontario Environment Network Global Footprint Network
Research. Questions on Environmental/Wildlife Protection in Ontario & Canada 1. How long has this law or organization been around for? 2. Are they a(n) international, provincial or local act/organiaztion? 3. Give a summary of the law/act or give a summary of their mission or mandate (if it is a conservation organization). 4. Describe one main aspect of the act or their work. 5. List other successes or aspects of the act or their work.
Wildlife Population Studies Population Distribution
Population Density
Methods of Estimating Populations 1) Quadrant Method
2) Transect Method
3) Capture (Tag) and Re-capture Method
Other Methods Electroshocking Fish (Biomass Survey) Roadside Counts
Population Growth Patterns 1) Exponential Population Growth “J” Curve Unlimited growth due to: No limiting factors Abundant resources Little or no competition
Exponential Growth and Population “Crash” Population Momentum causes a population to overshoot the carrying capacity. The result is a population crash.
2) Logistic Population Growth “S” Curve Limited growth due to: Presence of limiting factors Adequate resources Some competition
Exponential vs Logistic Growth
3) Fluctuating Growth Predator-Prey relationship causes the populations to fluctuate.
FACTORS THAT AFFECT POPULATIONS All species strive to increase their population. It is their genetic, natural instinct to do this.
A. Biotic Potential The maximum number of offspring that a species could produce if resources were unlimited. Biotic potential is regulated by four factors: 1) Birth potential – the number of offspring/birth. 2) Capacity for survival – the number of offspring that reach reproductive age. 3) Procreation – the number of times a species reproduces each year. 4) Length of reproductive life – The age of sexual maturity and how long they reproduce for.
Biotic potential is measured by calculating: 1) Natality Rate (or Birth Rate) – the number of births per year. 2) Doubling Time – the time it takes a population to double in size. 3) Mortality Rate (or Death Rate) – the number of deaths per year. 4) Immigration – number of individuals moving into habitat per year. 5) Emigration – number of individuals leaving the habitat per year.
Limiting Factors that prevent a population from growing. Carrying Capacity – The maximum number of individuals of a species that can be supported indefinitely by an ecosystem.
Limiting Factors… 1) Abiotic Limiting Factors – light, temperature, chemical environment (ie. water, oxygen), space. 2) Biotic Limiting Factors – food, predators, diseases and parasites, competition. 3) Population Density – the number of individuals/area. Density Independent Limiting Factors – limiting factors that affect a population regardless of the density of individuals (ie. weather, natural disaster) Density Dependent Limiting Factors – limiting factors that affect a population because of the density of individuals (ie. food supply, water quality, sunlight, disease and territory).
Limiting Factors… 1) Abiotic Limiting Factors – light, temperature, chemical environment (ie. water, oxygen), space, natural disasters, weather. 2) Biotic Limiting Factors – food, predators, diseases and parasites, competition, human disturbance.
Limiting Factors continued… 3) Range of Tolerance – an organism can survive within a certain range of abiotic factors (ie. temperature and precipitation for tree species). 4) Law of the Minimum – the nutrient in least supply is the one that limits population growth.
Wildlife Conservation & Management
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