Conservation Biology
Fall 2007
What is Conservation Biology?
 Applied, interdisciplinary science developed
in response to rapid modern loss of species &
habitats.
 3 goals:
o Document diversity of organisms on Earth
o Study human impact on species and habitats
o Develop methods to preserve those species and
their habitats
Conservation Biology….
The study of Biological Diversity
Semester Summary
The semester was built around these
4 questions about Biodiversity:
Biological Diversity:
What is it, & how do scientists study it?
How did it get here?
What threatens it today?
How can we preserve it, as much as
possible?
What is Biological Diversity?
Bacteria
Archaebacteria
Protists
Fungi
Plants
Animals
Levels of Biological Diversity –
Diversity at different scales:
1) Genetic Diversity
2) Species Diversity
3) Habitat Diversity
What are the Origins of
Biological Diversity?
Biodiversity Origins
Genetic diversity: what it is, how it
works
Species diversity: what is a species, how
do they arise?
Evolution: how has the diversity of
organisms come to be here on Earth?
o Artificial selection vs. natural selection
Ecosystem diversity: food webs & how
they work
What are the Threats to
Biological Diversity?
Biodiversity Threats
History of Life & Mass Extinctions
Dangers of small population sizes
History of human impacts
Modern threats…
o Habitat loss, fragmentation & degradation
o Invasion of exotic species
o Global climate change
What are some Solutions to
the Biodiversity Crisis?
Solutions to the Biodiversity
Crisis
Saving Species:
Minimum viable populations
Habitat size
3 levels of intervention to save species
(habitat improvement, captive breeding,
off-site conservation)… in situ vs. ex
situ preservation
Solutions to the Biodiversity
Crisis
Saving Habitat:
Island Biogeography theory & what it
tells us about designing habitat
reserves
Ideal design of habitat reserves
What has been done in U.S.?
US Legislation to preserve biodiversity
o Focused on species, habitats? (both?)
o Article “Bred for Success” – relate to
above question
Solutions to the Biodiversity
Crisis
Sustainability & Sustainable Development:
Video: The Shaman’s Apprentice
Guest Lecture: Jim Dyer on sustainable
farming & ranching (farms as habitat)
Debate: What is our best hope for
encouraging preservation of
biodiversity?
Closing: EO Wilson & the biodiversity
bottleneck…
Saving “The Creation”
What will it take to preserve biological
diversity?
Getting through the “Bottleneck”
o Wilson, pg. 311 quote
What are the best arguments for
preservation?
 Pragmatism first:
o Use biodiversity
o Economics, technology (Wilson ch. 13)
o How many species do we rely upon for food today?
(p 287)
o In diversity, often more stability (or resilience)
 Most biodiversity housed in most
impoverished nations – how can we help?
(Frontiers article)
What agenda does Wilson
propose to get diversity through
the bottleneck?
List his 5 points:
o What are they?
o What is a problem associated with or
addressed by each point?
o What is an example of success he mentions
for each point?
Report to class
But, of course, the only real hope
for preservation must go beyond
pragmatism
Biophilia:
o The inherent awe, connection and respect
humanity feels for the rest of nature
o When we have enough food & shelter, we
can remember this sense of love & wonder
we all have for the natural world – the
world we were born of
Wilson – ch. 15 – quote,
o P. 343-344 (4 paragraphs)
o Read this!!!!!
So, what can we do? What can
YOU do…?
My heart is moved by all I cannot save:
So much has been destroyed I have cast
my lot with those who, age after age,
perversely, with no extraordinary power
reconstitute the world.
---Adrienne Rich