Conservation and Restoration Biology
Conservation Biology/Restoration Ecology
Conservation Biology – maintain biodiversity, reintroductions
Reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone National Park
Other reintroductions – in Wisconsin
Peregrine falcons, elk, wolves (natural), trumpeter
swans, ospreys (in southeast Wisconsin)
Indicator species, target species, umbrella species, keystone
species (very important)
Restoration Ecology (Biology) – restore ecosystems/habitat
Conservation Case Study: The Everglades
Restoring the Everglades
Multi-billion dollar project – collaborative effort between
federal government, state (Florida) agencies and private
organizations
Biodiversity – The Diversity of Life
The variety of organisms considered at all levels, from
populations to ecosystems
Species Diversity (Biodiversity)
Species Richness – # of species
Species Evenness – an index of biodiversity
# of species and abundance
Abundance – # of each species
Patterns of Species Richness
Biodiversity – The Diversity of Life
Global (Latitude – equator: high, poles: low)
Poles – low biodiversity
Biodiversity decreases
Equator – tropical - high biodiversity
preserve tropical rainforests
Other pockets of high biodiversity – Wetlands
preserve wetlands
Area Size and Biodiversity
Species-Area Effect (from Island Biogeography studies)
Islands, parks, park planning – biosphere reserves
Large size
Large size
Biodiversity increases
Small size
Several small – with corridors
Biodiversity increases
Several small
None
Value of Biodiversity
Community Stability
High species richness - high stability
Low species richness - low stability
Importance of Biodiversity – stabilizes ecosystem
Utilitarian value – nature and biodiversity has economic value to
humans (i.e., some utility)
Medicines from tropical rainforest plants (Medicine Man)
Non-utilitarian value – intrinsic value
Value because they exist
Threats to Biodiversity
Threats to Biodiversity (can cause rapid extinctions)
Habitat loss
Habitat fragmentation
Habitat degradation – acid rain, ozone, increased CO2
(resulting in global warming)
Pollution – air, water, land
Exotic species – e.g., zebra mussels, purple loosestrife, garlic
mustard
Feral species – e.g., feral cats
Threats to Biodiversity
Pollution – Land, Water, and Air
Smog – nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, organic chemicals,
ozone
Ozone Thinning - declining ozone (O3) in upper
atmosphere
Protects us from U.V. radiation destroyed by hazardous
chemicals - CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons)
Ozone “hole” in southern atmosphere
Global Warming – increasing greenhouse gases (CO2)
Acid Precipitation
Biological magnification
Use biological indicators - indicator species, target species,
umbrella species, keystone species (very important)
Politics
Governments and Laws
Use politics, laws, sociology, and economics
E.g., Legal protection of species
Endangered Species Act – 1973
Endangered Species
Threatened Species
Species of Concern
Loss of Biodiversity - extinction
Ways to save biodiversity
Debt for Nature swaps
Wealthy countries buy off debts of developing
countries for preserving biodiversity
Private Efforts and Cooperation
Ecotourism (Gorillas in the Mist)
Saving critical habitat
***WETLANDS*** - high biodiversity
Conserving migratory birds – flyways – must consider
breeding ground, flyways, and wintering ground
Other pockets of high biodiversity (biodiversity
hotspots)
Habitat corridors - river corridors, greenways
Economics
Importance of Biodiversity – stabilizes ecosystem
Utilitarian value – nature and biodiversity has economic
value to humans (i.e., some utility)
Medicines from tropical rainforest plants (Medicine Man)
Non-utilitarian value – intrinsic value
Value because they exist